Archived News Items 2007 updated
Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive.
28Dec07 The race result have been updated to add Helm Order results, and PDF documents including the race entry (helm, boat, crew, and corrected lap times) for every race. The Trophies 2000-
On 22 December 12 members had pre Christmas entertainment by Pat Halling’s String Quartet. Pat says a big thank you to all the AQSC members for coming. More with pictures.
On Saturday 22 December at 10:30 am Pat Halling invites all AQSC members to his Christmas Serenade. Relax listening to the music of Vivaldi-
The 2nd Cheats Christmas lunch on 16 December, masterminded and prepared by Nigel Knowles with help from a few members, was a another great success. 25 adults and 5 youngsters, who helped with the serving, enjoyed a 4 course lunch followed by a games tournament of bar billiards, darts, scrabble and table tennis. The day finished with tea and cakes. Picture by Mike Hendra.
On Sunday 16 December there will be a Cheats Christmas Lunch & Family Games Tournament, details (PDF 8kb). Note the start of the lunch has been delayed from 12:30 to 1:00pm
By popular request on Wednesday evening 5 December at 8.00pm, there will be a repeat slide show of recent Club activities as photographed by various people. If time allows we will also show some of Richard's video clips.
The AGM, Prize giving and End of Season Party on Saturday 1 December was very successful with 51 attendees. The proposed Amendments to the AQSC Rules and By-
Race results were very close with only 1 point or less between each of the first 7 places. Bryan Clements ranked 1st after a tie break. Each race series trophy was won by a different helm.
On Saturday 1 December the AGM, Prize giving and End of Season Party will start at 7:30pm for 8pm. This is our most important meeting of the year where the future administration of the club is discussed. Details. Amendments are proposed to the AQSC Rules and By-
On Saturday 17 November there is the Annual Dinner at the Club. Details, Booking form and Menu (PDF)
12 November Bodgit and Son continue to make improvements to the club with better drainage at the back and a big increase in the outside seating; more with pictures.
11Nov07 Sunday Activities Extended. Although Sunday 11 November is the last sailing day in the programme, activities at the club on Sundays will continue. The activity will be dependent on conditions with sailing; training and fun racing taking priority. Racing will be included in the Fun series with a race at 12:00 and another at 14:00 after which there will be the usual tea and cakes.
If sailing isn't possible there will be other activities such as Patrol boat practice, knots, racing rules, games or anything else that is appropriate.
Once a month we will have a lunch followed by activities targeted at family members, as follows;
On Saturday 27 October 21 members met at Richard Cannon’s house for a stroll to the Kempton Park firework display; fortunately the weather was good
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This was followed by soup and hot dogs at the Club; many thanks to Graham Thompson and Peter & Diana Carpenter for organising, preparing and serving the food and drink.
On Saturday 27 October (earlier than usual due to the availability of the venue) there will be a visit to Fire Works at Kempton Park, the largest display in Greater London, then soup & victuals at the Club. Tickets in advance from http://www.kemptonfireworks.org.uk/ up to 23 Oct are £5.50 or £8 on the night. Alternatively Richard Cannon can also obtain advance tickets from a local shop, ring 01932 786636 by 23 Oct. Meet and park at Richard's house, 77 Saxonbury Avenue, Lower Sunbury, by 7:00pm for a short stroll to Kempton Park, Map.
21Oct07 The Autumn 2007 Newsletter is on line. All newsletters back to 1995 are in a ring binder on the bookshelf in the clubhouse, and back to 1999 are on the web site.
On 13Oct07 around 24 members had a great time at a Musical Quiz put together and presented by John Neale. More.
On Saturday 13 October there will be “Long” John’s Musical Quiz at 7:30 pm with a buffet, details.
On Saturday 6 October there was very good support for the working party. Around 23 members achieved a lot and were rewarded by an excellent lunch and tea prepared by Joan Bray and helpers.
Apart from general strimming etc 2 major tasks were paving a large area of the trailer park and clearing out and lining the drainage channel behind the clubhouse.
On Saturday 6 October there will be a working party. Come along with gardening tools and clothes. Lunch will be provided.
On 8Sep07 a Skittles Night at The Grantley Arms has been added to the programme; booking is essential. Booking details.
On 2Sep07 a Signet Open Meeting is held as well as normal Sunday racing, Notice of Race.
27Aug07 On Saturday the prospects for the visit to Bewl Valley SC on Monday 27 August looked very poor with only a 2 knt wind forecast. Then we arrived to be told that the Regatta had been cancelled. BUT the OOD was exceptionally helpfully, the wind was a perfect 10 to 15 knots and 14 members and friends had a superb day, more.
On Mon 27 August there is an away day to the Bewl Valley SC Autumn Regatta with Pursuit racing starting around 11:00. If you may come to Bewl please ring Richard on 01932 786636, more.
18Aug07 The Signet National Championships at Ullswater had very good sailing conditions; generally SW force 3 to 5. Richard Cannon, with crew Robert Britton, was the overall winner and Michael Stevens did very well to win the Crew race.
5Aug07 First sailing for 3 weeks. Still 2 knots current and a very fluky/shifty force 1-
3Aug07 The current has dropped to about 2 knots and we expect to be sailing on Sunday 5 August. A reminder that the scheduled sponsored sail/cruise has been replaced by long distance races or cruises, with cruisers and patrol boats, to suit the wind conditions on the day. Come and get sailing again.
29Jul07 In view of the very very strong current and uncertainty we have decided to cancel the Sponsored Sail on 5th August. Instead, if conditions allow, there will be a long distance race, with cruisers and patrol boats in attendance. There was no boating today, instead a lot of gardening type work was done with strimming and cutting back the bushes at the top of the bank. Work was done on the new patrol boat.
23Jul07 The Navigation Authority have published the following warning.
• Due to the very heavy rainfall in the Thames valley on Friday 20 July, we are experiencing very, very strong streams on the Thames. The river is already in flood in some places and this is likely to extend to the whole river during Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
• PLEASE STOP NAVIGATING AND MOOR YOUR BOAT IN A SAFE PLACE, PREFERABLY IN A MARINA OR A RECOGNISED MOORING.
Is your boat well tied down with drain plugs open so if we get high water levels it doesn't float away?
5Jul07 The Summer 2007 Newsletter is on line. All newsletters back to 1995 are in a ring binder on the bookshelf in the clubhouse.
The Hampton SC regatta on Sat 30 June and Sun 1 July had a terrible weather forecast; very wet. 3 AQSC boats entered. Results for AQSC boats, more
The Hampton SC regatta is on Sat 30 June and Sun 1 July. AQSC members are invited and there is no organised racing at AQSC on Sunday. Details
Although the weather was terrible on 23/24 June the AQSC jazz night with a hog roast, and the Regatta, were very successful. The extended patio, with a huge gazebo from Nigel Knowles, was a great help giving a very large continuous dry covered zone beyond the clubhouse.
On Sat 23 June there is the annual AQSC jazz night with a Hog roast as a change, details and booking form (14kb PDF). Also there is the AQSC Regatta on 23 and 24 June, programme.
The bank holiday weather forecast for the visit to Bewl Valley SC (Kent) Spring Regatta, general details was terrible and no one went Sunday. Fortunately only two boats went on Monday because when they arrived they were told the racing had been cancelled although they could sail. It was very wet with a bitterly cold 15 to 30 knt very variable North wind. Richard Cannon, with Tony Hopkins, was relieved he didn’t have to race in the conditions, and after an hours sailing Richard was frozen. Hanna and Simon Lunniss, who hadn’t intended racing, sailed the Club Pico including some capsizes.
On Sun 27 and Mon 28 May there will be a visit to the Bewl Valley SC (Kent) Spring Regatta, general details. Unfortunately camping is not available at the club this year. If you are interested in going please contact Richard Cannon on 01932 786636.
There is an Open Weekend at Aquarius Sailing Club on 12 & 13 May from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Have you ever fancied trying sailing?
Here is your chance. Visit us, have a tea or coffee and then go afloat with an experienced helm in a sailing dinghy.
It’s all free.
Soft shoes help and as you can get wet sailing it is advisable to bring a spare set of clothes.
AQSC is located on the North bank of the Thames off the Lower Sunbury Road at Hampton, 1 mile upstream of Hampton Court. Directions, the entrance to the club is at the Sunnyside Reservoir and the Club is at the red circle on Multimap.
More club information, or phone the Secretary Joan Bray on 020 8337 9000 or E-
The working party on 5May was very successful with at least 26 members present; a great deal was achieved. Four strimmers were in use. It was also a great social occasion with Diana and Peter Carpenter providing a delicious lunch.
On Saturday 5 May there will be a working party from 10:30 a.m. Onwards; please come along and help. Lunch will be provided. Bring old clothes, gloves, gardening gear etc.
On Saturday 28 April AQSC will be competing for the Mid Thames Trophy at Desborough SC. Any members wishing to take part should contact Richard Cannon on 01932 786636. Details.
Indoor Olympics
Saturday 21 April 7.30pm
Join your fellow Club members in an evening of light-
Teams will compete for the Aquarius
Penny Washer Trophy
Hot Refreshments
Cash Bar
All Welcome,
Especially our junior members
24Apr07 Major changes have been made to this web site following the introduction of using Serif WebPlus to create and maintain Pages. Please let the webmaster know of anything that doesn’t work by using the email link in the banner or ring him on 01932 786636.
On April 8, Easter Sunday, there will be 4 races, best 3 count for the Easter Egg Trophy.
Wednesday sailing started on 16 May with a fairly steady west force 2 wind giving 5 boats an excellent sail.
Unfortunately the weather was terrible for the AQSC open weekend on 12 & 13 May. Saturday wasn’t as wet as was expected but the gusts were over 20knts. Sunday was very wet most of the day and there was thunder. I spite of the weather we still obtained attracted several new members.
1Apr07 There are now some Oriental bar snacks; Chicken Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken in Black Bean Sauce and spicy Chicken stir fry (or microwave).
On Sunday 25 March the new season started with excellent sailing in an Easterly 10 to 15knt wind and only 1knt current. Some of last years new members had asked for ground based refresher training; this was done by Mike Baker in the morning.
The online race results now include the Personal Handicaps used in each race.
On Sunday 25Mar2007 the new season sailing starts. There will be ground based refresher training in the morning. DON’T forget the clocks go forward this weekend.
On Saturday 17 March the Start of Season Party surprise item was a very interesting talk by Mike Baker on the history of our bit of river, its features, families and buildings. Richard Cannon put Mike’s 130 pictures into a Power Point presentation which were projected by Nigel Knowles on to a super screen donated by Tony Hopkins. This was followed by a delicious buffet prepared by Linda & Rodger Wheeler, and Janet Edwards. The illustrated talk is available on a Video DVD from Richard Cannon.
On Saturday 17 March there is the Start of Season. Party at 8pm.
10 March The Spring 2007 Newsletter, Programme and Race Officer duty roster are on line.
On Sunday 25 February 24 members had a great Indian buffet lunch from the Riverside Indian restaurant at Hampton; very much easier than members preparing the food. Unfortunately the current was still much to fast for any activities on the water. Nigel Knowles provided a projector to show videos. Also various games were available. The first video was of the 2004 AQSC Valentine's Musical Diner Dansant; the first of our annual February ladies nights. This particularly brought back memories to Bodgit and Sons.
Sunday 25 February an Indian Buffet Lunch followed by a treasure hunt combined with a frostbite cruise up to Sunbury Lock (Moved from 18 February). Lunch (£5 adult, £3 juniors) MUST be booked with Nigel Knowles
by Wed 21 Feb. If conditions are not suitable then we will have patrol boat training and/or screen a sailing video in the Clubhouse. The games equipment will also be available.
On Saturday 17 February the Medieval banquet for the ladies was a resounding success attend by 46 members; many were attired for the period and the clubhouse was transformed into a medieval castle.
There was a 7 course banquet with entertainment of the period by violin, harpsichord, songs and recital by Pat and Anne Halling, and Mike and Mandy Leigh. Those who displeased Lord and Lady Bray were put in the stocks.
Rodger Wheeler, Nigel Knowles, and Mike Baker thank all those who helped with the preparations.
Knights and Ladies of Aquarius
Let it be known that Our Ladies Night Medieval Banquet will now be held on Saturday 17 February 2007 (Moved from 10 February); booking is essential. Details and booking form (PDF document, Acrobat Reader is required).
The completed form with payment should be returned to Sir Richard de Cannon (Rodger of Moulsey will be away) as soon as possible.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Any guests will be put on a waiting list and places allocated if available from 5th February.
Don't miss what promises to be an excellent evening. Please come attired in medieval costume if at all possible.
Note that we regard this evening as unsuitable for children. On past form, very few people leave before midnight and we are unable to offer any supervision or special diversions for younger members.
On Sunday 14 January there was extremely good support for the first event of 2007 by 41 members. There was far too much current for a cruise so after the sausage and mash lunch Nigel Knowles presented a quiz on the sailing rules using his projector to display pictures showing racing situations with very good effect; he asked who had right of way.
Bar billiards, darts and table tennis games were played after the quiz.
Sun 14 Jan Lunch and safety boat handling competition (conditions permitting) and /or a rules quiz. Details (PDF). Changed because the river is running fast.