Windmill Summer 2011 - Earlswood Lakes Sailing Club

ELSC Windmill
Summer11
www.earlswoodsc.co.uk
Gettin’ mighty crowded at the Grand Splash
Events Diary:
~Merlin Open
Sun 26th June
~Junior Training
18th & 25th June
~Training Weekend
2nd & 3rd July
~Youth Match Olton Mere
Sat 9th July
~ Commodore’s Shield
Summertime, and the water is dropping…..
Well, what a great Spring we have had
on the water and a very warm welcome
to our new members joining from the
training days in April.
We hope you will enjoy the club and its
facilities, please don’t hesitate to ask
advice on any sailing related matters and
we look forward to seeing you out on the
water, and at social events too. Thanks
again to Alex and the Training team for
their dedication and time during May.
Now that the Open Season has started
it’s nice to see club members getting
involved and Pete Newbery winning the
Laser Open again was a tremendous
result. Some feisty winds in the past few
weeks have made the sailing a treat (if
you stay upright) and our Wednesday
night bird watching sessions after a calm
float really aren’t working with this level
of wind! We still have training courses
Sun 10th July
….Stop Press…..
July Training Course
places still
available
~ 50th Anniversary Party
Sat 16th July
~~Summer Bottle
Sun 31stth July
– tell your friends!
available for July if you know anyone
who is interested, and of course we
are all looking forwards to a full day
of activities around the 16th of July as
we host our 50th Anniversary Party
which we are hoping for everyone to
attend.
Watch out for a decision about the
jetty soon, as action is imminent.
Happy Sailing!
Laser Open report….
…….inside
Darren Layton
ELSC Windmill 2011● Summer ● [email protected] ●
Open season kicks off at Earlswood – Laser report
Midlands Grand Prix Circuit
Pete Newbery makes it three in a row at Earlswood’s Laser Open
27 March 2011
nd
Earlswood hosted the 2 meeting of the 2011 Midland circuit’s on Sunday 27 March 2011 with high expectations on Pete Newbery
th
to make it three wins in a row – and he didn’t disappoint. Despite being back in 4 at the end of the first lap of the first race he
nd
battled his way through to win. Another win in the 2 race made the trophy his again.
The 19 competitors, including seven welcome visitors, enjoyed a great day’s racing, and an excellent lunch prepared and served by
Paul Clark and daughter Meg. After an unpromising start of light wind and grey skies the wind settled down at Force 2-3, veering
from North to North-Easterly, making for ideal racing conditions especially as the conditions brightened as the day progressed.
The northerly bias allowed the OD Jon Wood, assisted by Graham Bentley and Janet Butroid to set a course with a beat from the
fixed start line to the windward mark and including two reaches before the downwind leg. In the first race Rob Lennox from Barnt
Green led Stuart Keegan from Chelmarsh and Steve Perring after the first lap. Pete used his knowledge of the lake to claw his way
nd
rd
up from fourth to win, with Rob taking 2 ahead of Steve. In the second race Steve led at the start followed by Pete with Stuart 3 .
nd
Pete got the better of Steve and Rob battled his way through to take 2 from Steve at the end of the downwind leg with the
st
nd
rd
finishing order again Pete 1 , Rob 2 and Steve 3 .
rd
In the final race, with the trophy already won, Pete led off the line followed by Rob with Stuart again 3 . Rob got the better of Pete
st
nd
in a tacking duel to finish 1 , with Pete 2 and Andy Allan from Trimpley coming though to finish 3rd.
Most Earlswood sailors improved their placings compared with 2010, with Dave Coombs having the greatest movement – up 6
places. Pete’s training session the week before covering starting, roll tacking/gybing and general boat handling helping no end in
our improvement.
Robert Marshall
& Take That deny new split with Robbie….
Bingo Mayhem – Our Commodore beats a child in the “Bingo off!”
A great night was had by all who attended the annual Bingo fest in the clubhouse in April hosted by James. A prize kitty of rare
distinction meant that concentration needed to be at a high even when the beer and wine was flowing. James’ lovely wife
Nicola organised and served the chips and the beer, and prizes flowed as the numbers were called.
The speed rounds were faster than ever this year with several people missing out on the house calls because they simply
couldn’t keep up with the numbers! The star prize of the night, a super duper power drill left tension hanging in the air as
both Darren and Paisley Hall’s friend Anna Benton called “bingo!” on the full house. This led to the unusually tense “Bingo
Off”, face to face in front of the caller. Clearly Darren was elated to triumph, but graciously offered the chocolate egg to
Anna! (or as Darren now calls her – “Loser” - steady on old chap-ed)
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ELSC Officers 2011
Commodore
Darren Layton-01684 275512
[email protected]
Vice Commodore
Robert Marshall- 0121 705 9711
[email protected]
eeserve.co.uk
Secretary
Sandra Boot - 0121 745 5593
[email protected]
Earlswood info Page – all the useful info in one place!
Boat Fees!
ODs Notes
Don’t forget the club boats
A plea to all ODs - please
are not free and you need
would you enter as many
details
as you can about the
to pay boat fees to the OD
sailors in a race. Even with my
for using them.
amazing crystal ball and
Summer Party Coming
Soon…….Sat July 16th
Treasurer
Steve Perring - 0121 744 8821
[email protected]
investigative powers, boat
number without helm name
doesn't tell me who was sailing
the boat - and that's a nonstarter. ~ ta, Alan Wright
ELSC Committee 2011
Sailing Secretary
Alan Wright - 01926 773 786
[email protected]
Social and Grounds Secretaries
Sue Stewart
01564 700 023
[email protected]
Membership Secretary
Louise Busby 07990 972998
[email protected]
Iain McDowall 01564 826486
[email protected]
Jenny Parsons - 01564 702016
[email protected]
Training Principal
Alex Layton - 0121 430 7521
[email protected]
Website and Windmill
James Patterson 0121 777 1433
[email protected]
http://www.earlswoodsc.co.uk/
Rear Commodore
Terry Bridgewater-01564 742513
[email protected]
Email List for Everyone!
It’s easier to communicate with you all
via email in most cases, so don’t miss
out and join the Earlswood Lakes
Sailing Club email D-List. Very useful
for OD Duty swaps, finding a crew,
finding a helm… the possibilities are
endless.!
Post message:
[email protected]
List owner:
James Patterson.
Note to ODs:
Please write the results on the
boards in the clubhouse!
Page 3
ELSC Windmill 2011● Summer ● [email protected] ●
Enterprise Open – Paul Young reports
2011 Midland Area Double Chine Series - Sunday 22nd May
This event, the sixth in the 2011 Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails, was held at Earlswood Lakes SC on
Sunday 22nd May. The eight boat fleet included two visiting boats from Midland SC and Rugby and Daventry SC for a very
challenging day, with several other boats not taking not taking part due to the strong and very gusty wind blowing across the
lake.
In the first race Martin Davies crewed by Mike Cossey (Rugby and Daventry SC) led at the first mark with Ian Ingram crewed by
Marie Bond (Earlswood Lakes SC) second and Paul Young crewed by Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) third. On the third lap, Paul
and Nancy overtook Ian and Marie on the downwind leg.
Later Martin and Mike capsized spectacularly allowing Paul and Nancy to take the lead. The last lap saw both Martin and Mike
and Ian and Marie capsize, allowing Paul and Nancy to build a good lead which they held to the finish. Martin and Mike finished
second with Ian and Marie third.
After an excellent lunch, the second race started on a new course. This time after a close start, Graham Bentley crewed by Dave
Smith (Earlswood lakes SC) rounded the windward mark first followed by Paul and Nancy second. Graham and Dave extended
their lead slowly until Paul and Nancy accelerated on the reach and almost caught Graham and Dave. Back on the beat Paul and
Nancy overtook Graham and Dave on the last mark of the first lap. The gap had now closed between the first three boats and
Paul and Nancy now lost ground initially heading for the wrong mark but soon corrected this and just held on to round the next
leeward mark inside Graham and Dave with Martin and Mike close behind. Excellent sailing by Martin and Mike on the following
beat saw them lead round the windmill mark followed by Paul and Nancy and Graham and Dave. Martin and Mike then pulled
away downwind and took a better following beat to extend their lead. Paul and Nancy held on to the lead up the following short
beat to the finish line to win , with Martin and Mike second and Ian and Marie third.
Six boats braved the last race. Paul and Nancy rounded this first followed by Martin and Mike and then Graham and Dave. On
the following broad reach Paul and Nancy and Martin and Mike left the rest of the fleet behind, Martin and Mike to windward of
Paul and Nancy who managed to hold onto their lead by obtaining inside water at the next mark. Martin and Mike overtook Paul
and Nancy on the beat with Paul and Nancy losing ground initially, but they soon regained enough ground to keep the pressure
on Martin and Mike, until they took off in a large gust and pulled away significantly.
Paul and Nancy also took on gallons of water in a broach in front of the clubhouse but
their quick reactions just saved a capsize, but allowed Martin and Mike to further extend
their lead. Graham and Dave sailed solidly to hold third place. These positions were held
to the finish.
Winning helm Paul Young thanked Earlswood Lakes SC for a great days racing.
Overall Results.
1st
22901 Paul Young/Nancy Gudgeon
Midland SC
2nd
22320 Martin Davies/ Mike Cossey
Rugby/Sutton SC
3rd
23164 Ian Ingram/Marie Bond
Earlswood Lakes SC
4th
15709 Graham Bentley/Dave Smith
Earlswood Lakes SC
5th
19703 James Patterson/Paul Clark
Earlwoood Lakes SC
6th
20591 Darren Layton /Glyn Rogers
Earlswood Lakes SC
7th
18594 Dave Pendleton/Dave Faraday Earlswood Lake SC
8th
EK
Andy Luckhurst/Russ Luckhurst Earlswood Lake SC
2pts
3pts
6pts
7pts
8pts
10pts
16pts
18pts.
Would never have happened
with Janet!
Fast and furious, boats breaking, crews swimming…. just another Ent Open at ELSC
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●
ELSC Summer Fixtures 2011
Careful with that
centreboard!
l
Ent Open capsize corner!
First Training course of the year a great success
Our first training course of the year in April was a
resounding success and fully merited closing the
weekend to normal sailing.
Training not only generates a great income for the
club but also brings in new lifetime members. This
longer weekend allowed us to refine new skills on the
Sunday more than we had been able to in recent
years. Great weather and a decent breeze both
helped make it really deliver. Well done and big
thanks to Alex and Darren and the team who give up
their time.
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Scribbler
Darren does the air hostess routine
ELSC Windmill 2011● Summer ● [email protected] ●
The History of ELSC by Bob Lewis – Part 2, The gentle art of negotiation..
In the last Windmill I set the scene up to agreeing subs, and I was about to try and secure sailing rights…..
I started negotiations with Mr McKay who told me that he would have to notify British Waterways of his intentions. If I say
that this was when the balloon went up, it might be taken that British Waterways were difficult, but this was not the case.
They were, in fact, very supportive and were ready to do anything to help the club get going. However, they were very well
aware of the history of the lakes and they were, of course, under a duty to obtain revenue where they were entitled.
When the original canal company approached the local landowner to buy the land to form feeder lakes for the Stratford on
Avon (North) Canal, he agreed to sell the land for that purpose, but retained the sporting rights for himself. In those days
that meant Hunting, Fishing and Shooting. Nobody, at that time, thought of sailing, or even pleasure boating.
Naturally British Waterways, who had become the residual owners of the reservoirs and the adjacent land including the
banks, had the right to have boats on the water for maintenance. Whether ‘Sporting rights’ covered sailing was never actually
resolved, but it came down to the probability that although Mr Mckay had the letting right, British Waterways had a
preventative right, which Mr. McKay was not anxious to acknowledge.
The real problem was that Mr McKay was not in good health
and our venture was not the most important subject on his
agenda. He did not want to be bothered to answer letters
from British Waterways on the matter and I had to be at my
most persuasive to prevent him from losing his temper and
ditching the whole thing.
After three years of gentle negotiation and apparent
stalemate, the man responsible at British Waterway finally
came up with the suggestion that a three party agreement
should be drawn up, which would set aside all previous
precedents and become the basis for our lease on the water.
British Waterways helped us considerably by allowing Mr
McKay to take a lion’s share of the rent and without their
supportive attitude we would never have got any further.
During these three years, I had to report ‘no progress’ at
regular club meetings and it was a tribute to the patient
Low water in 1973 is a good time for a
support of the early members that we ever got on the water
at all. Obviously a few got fed up and withdrew their
new launch ramp ~ thanks boys!
subscriptions and some (like myself) managed to get into
Who nicked the boat house?
other clubs, but still hung on to the hope that we would get
there in the end.
When the terms of the tri-partite agreement were finally on the table it did not mention any period, merely a six month
notice of termination on all sides. There were a number of members of the provisional club who felt that we could not
proceed without a lease of at least five years, but I personally was in favour of taking it as it stood, without a fixed term, on a
six month notice. I had a feeling that it might take another three years to renegotiate and that, for once; lethargy might be on
our side, meaning that once the difficulties of communication which had bedevilled us for so long were settled, we would be
left alone for many years.
There were quite a few who did not share my optimism and felt that to start the club without a firm lease for several years
was to invite disaster.
In the end it was dear old Fred Castle who swung it.
He said, “Come on chaps, we’ve already paid our subs for the first year. Let’s get on the water and cross bridges as we come
to them.”
(As it turned out, lethargy was on our side and we were left alone without an increase in rent for five years and quite
moderate increases after that.)
We then had to start looking for a site.
The Reservoir were keen to rent us a piece of ground, probably because they thought all sailors were heavy drinkers, and
although we would have been happy to accept their offer, the difficulty of having a dinghy park the wrong side of the
enormous gulf that separated the Pub land from the lake ruled it out.
So we started looking on the other side of the lake and found this patch of ground which was the outfall for the septic tanks
of three houses. It was not the most pleasant approach but it did have a little wooden hut which was the summer holiday
house for an old couple, who had reached the age where they were unsure how long they would be able to use it. So we
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ELSC Windmill 2011● Summer ● [email protected] ●
offered to take over their site rent and agreed a price for the hut.
We then had to deal with the site landlord who was the builder of the three houses fronting the site and the ten houses
further up the road. He was happy to get an increased rent from his horrible bit of ground, but felt an obligation not to
upset the people who had bought houses from him. So before agreeing to have us he required us to get signed agreement
from all the owners that they did not object to us setting up our sailing club on the site.
We realised that to get 100% agreement was going to be a tall order. Fortunately we had a secret weapon and it was
called ‘Fred Castle’ who could charm the birds off the trees. He took on the job of seeing the house owners and coping
with their various objections.
Fred related that there was one lady who was most reluctant to sign and that she had said to him, “I know what you will be
doing! You will be going round the lake at Midnight playing your banjos.” For once Fred was almost speechless!
We still had to find a way of bridging the feeder, but this presented no problem to Harry Sutton who was, by then, our
secretary and he knew where to get absolutely anything and how to get anything done. We also then discovered that the
pig farm next door had the habit of cleaning out their pigsties and pouring it close to the feeder. Inevitably, it seeped into
the feeder and past our site.
So our club and dinghy park was positioned between a septic tank outfall and a
stream of pig muck.
BUT AT LONG LAST WE HAD OUR BOATS ON THE LAKE!
Bob Lewis
Spring Results round up
The Saturday and Sunday spring series have recently ended so I thought you might like to know the results. These are
attached as the usual pdf.
The result for the Spring Saturday series was close between the first three as you will see with father Mark (actually I nearly
put a capital F) holding off son Jamie - Cuxson, that is. Steve Boot in third place just needed another good result to go with the
three firsts and it might have been another matter. Well done Mark.
Bob Lewis did his usual in the Spring Saturday Pursuit with a very consistent set of results - and he sailed every race, please
note – that left everyone else trailing in his wake. How old are you Bob? Well done young sir!
I seemed to strike lucky in winning the Sunday Morning Points but my luck ran out on the last day sailing the Spring Class
series when a possible two more wins (Menagerie and Laser) were turned into seconds - simply by coming third instead of
second in that last race. Robert Marshall was the guilty man who stole second place and in so doing took the Laser class
trophy. That second also helped Graham Bentley to win the Menagerie class trophy. Keen racing throughout the series ended
with such close results. Congratulations to both Graham and Robert.
Graham also won the Enterprise class trophy and Malcolm Clark the Solo class trophy, both uncontested by anyone else. You
do have to sail the required number of races to get a result so... well done to Graham and Malcolm in doing so.
Unfortunately, no Merlin sailor sailed the required 4
races to qualify so no Merlin Rocket class trophy will be
presented this year.
Cheers
Alan
From left to right: Ken Davenport, Graham Nicholson, Capt Jack
Sparrow, Tony Salmon, Stan Farmiloe, Ted Walsh, Front: Ken
Bridgwater, Fred Castle, John Blunt, John Wylie – Class of 1985
Page 7 – and we rarely have page 7…..
ELSC Windmill 2011● Summer ● [email protected] ●
Page 8 (and we never have a page 8!)
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