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Archived News Items 2009 updated 27Oct2010

Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive.



On Sunday 13 December there was the annual Cheats Xmas lunch with 59 attendees (43 adults, 16 juniors) sitting down to a 4 course Xmas lunch organised by Tony Hopkins; the largest number we have had. Stories and pictures will be added soon.

On Sunday 13 December there will be the Cheats Christmas Lunch & Family Games Tournament; details, need to book by Wednesday 9 December.

The 11 to 13 December 2009 was extremely busy and successful. On Friday evening 44 members were entertained by Pat Halling’s Xmas concert with a  buffet in the interval. Story.

On Friday 11 December Aquarius are hosting Pat and Ann’s Christmas Concert featuring the great Tony Coe on Clarinet and Sax, guests welcome; details.

6 Dec 2009 The Race Results have been updated with the end of season results including the Series results by place, trophy winners and statistics documents in PDF.

On Saturday 5 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.

The weather was terrible for the working party on Sunday 29 November 2009; cold with torrential rain for much of the day. Considering the bad conditions it was surprising that 26 members turned up to get soaked. The main task was moving everything in the trailer park, strimming it and repacking. Many items were not identified with the owners name, as required by our Rules and Bylaws, and may be disposed off. There is a pile of un-roadworthy trailers under the trees that will be disposed off; if you think you may have something there you need you are advised to remove it as soon as possible. An excellent lunch was provided by Diana Carpenter, Joan Bray, Pat Irving and other helpers. As he couldn’t attend Stuart Schafer strimmed all the bank during the preceding week.

On SUNDAY 29 November there will be a Working Party from 10:30 am onwards; a priority will be clearing upstream moorings & trailer park. Lunch will be provided. Bring old clothes, gloves, gardening gear etc. Please come along with gardening tools.

The Excellent Annual Dinner on Saturday 21 November 2009 had 46 attendees; there was an unexpected visit by Lord Nelson who had a problem coming to terms with the present day restrictions.

Had Trafalgar Happened Today Introduction Script

Saturday 21 November the Annual Dinner is at the Club. Due to strikes the post is not being used for booking and payment; NO PLACES LEFT. Menu and Booking form (PDF).

On  Friday 27 November at 8pm Pat Halling's Quartet Pro Musica will be playing a classical programme including string quartets by Beethoven (Opus 18 No 6) and Debussy at the Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames. Tickets £12 (£11 concs) are available from the Riverhouse Barn Tel. 01932 253354 (24hrs)

On Saturday 7 November 2009 22 members visited the excellent Fire Works display at Kempton Park in good conditions. Thanks go to Diana & Peter Carpenter, George & Joan Bray and helpers for preparing soup, bread and sausages to warm us up back at Aquarius.

On November 7 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/ are £6 or £8 on the night. Alternatively Richard Cannon can also obtain advance tickets from a local shop, ring 01932 786636 by Wednesday 4 November. Meet and park at Richard's house, 77 Saxonbury Avenue, Lower Sunbury, by 7:00pm for a short stroll to Kempton Park, Map.

Next Committee meetings are on Monday 16Nov; Social at 7:30pm followed by Management at 8pm.

4 Nov The Autumn Newsletter PDF 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.

30Oct09 Sunday Activities Extended. Although Sunday 8 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.Next Committee meetings are on Monday 19 Oct; Social at 7:30pm followed by Management at 8pm.

On Saturday 17 October the Casino Royale at 7:30 pm is fully booked.

Clearing growth in the springOn Saturday 10 October around 27 members were at the working party.

There will be a Working Party from 10:30 am onwards. Lunch will be provided. Bring old clothes, gloves, gardening gear etc.

2008 skittlesOn Saturday 12 September at 6:30pm - 11:00pm there is the Annual Skittles match with the Embercourt Badminton Club, booking by 4 September is essential. Details.

On Monday 31 August 18 members with 8 boat enjoyed perfect conditions at Bewl Valley SC. It was sunny with a warm SSW 12knt (force 3 to 4) wind. The ideal dress was shorts and Tee shirt.

On Monday 31 August there is a visit to Bewl ValleyBewl Water arial view Sailing Club for Family sailing and cruising; there should be a race for novices. It will be an excellent opportunity for members to experience a relaxed day sailing on a large expanse of open water. You don’t need to have a boat to bring and it should be a super experience for new members. If you think you may come it is important to ring Richard on 01932 786636 to help plan boats required and to obtain an entry pass. General Bewl details.

At AQSC on the previous day, Sunday 30 August, there will be training for new members and fun sailing. Please support our new members.

15 August BYO BBQ and Sunbury Regatta Fireworks. Note BBQ date changed from 16Aug. Details

28 July The Summer Newsletter PDF 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 Saturday 18 July 27 members came to the General Knowledge Quiz and fish & chips supper on Saturday 18 July. The quiz was presented by George Bray with questions prepared by Mike Baker. Diana Carpenter organised the Fish & Chips that came from Marinis near Hampton station.

 At 7:30pm there is a General Knowledge Quiz by Mike Baker with a fish and chips supper.

The online program has been corrected; the General Knowledge Quiz has moved from 12 Sep to 18 July, and the Skittles night has moved from 18 July to 12 Sep. The printed program distributed by Joan Bray is correct.

The Hampton SC regatta is on Sat 27 and Sun 28 June; AQSC members are invited. Racing at Hampton SC isn’t suitable for novice helm and on Sunday the patrol boat will be at AQSC for those who would like informal sailing and training. Details.

On Wednesday June 24 conditions were perfect for the ‘Twilight Cruise’ to the Magpie by 19 members. Story.

Wednesday 24 June Mid Summer Madness! Twilight Cruise leaving 6.30pm.Take advantage of the long summer evenings and the (near) full moon and join us for a cruise up river to the Magpie at Sunbury.

Mooring at the MaqpieOn arrival at the Magpie we will moor up (you will need fenders) and spend an hour or so there, giving time to buy supper etc. for those who want to.

Boats will leave the Club at 18.30 accompanied by the patrol boats/cruisers. For anyone who doesn’t want to sail, seats will be available on the patrol boats on a first come basis. Alternatively join us at the Magpie from 19.30.

We will commence the return to the Club at around 20.45, and the patrol boats will ensure that all boats are back at the Club by 21.45

The Annual Aquarius Regatta is on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June, details. Don’t miss the Hog Roast/BBQ/Jazz 7:30 pm Saturday evening; save by book and pay by 15 June. Booking form (PDF 19kb).

17 June 2009 A list of PYS and Club Numbers used by AQSC has been added (7kb PDF document).

There was very little wind for the Late Spring Holiday weekend but it was very busy for Aquarius.

Youths learning capsize recoveryOn Saturday there was the 2nd module of youths learning to sail; 13 attended. Story.

On Sunday there was TFC (Training, Fun Cruising) and as there was little wind and mainly novices sailing it was decided not to run races.

Organising the visit to Bewl on Monday was very difficult this year because many members were uncertain if they were going. Story.

On Monday 25 May there is a visit to Bewl Valley Sailing Club. There is no racing and it is an excellent opportunity for members to experience a relaxed day sailing on a large expanse of open water. You don’t need to have a boat to bring and it should be a super experience for new members. If you think you may come please ring Richard on 01932 786636. General Bewl details.

At AQSC on the previous day, Sunday 24 May, there will be training for new members and fun sailing. Please support our new members.

On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May, 10:30 to 17:00, everybody is invited to the Aquarius Sailing Club Open Weekend to have a look at the club and experience FREE sailing in a dinghy or cruiser. Details poster (PDF file 30kb). Club details.
Following the Open Day on Saturday there will be a
BYO BBQ from 7pm. Bring Your Own supper to cook or purchase burgers, sausages etc  from the bar. Friends welcome.

On Sunday there is “Every One on the Water”; make this the day you have a sail.

The Mid-Thames Trophy inter club event at Staines SC on 2 May had practically no wind. The AQSC team of 6 boats came 2nd; the winners were Hampton SC. More.

On Saturday 2 May AQSC will be competing for the Mid Thames Trophy, inter club and fun event, at Staines SC. We are allowed to have up to 10 starters so it is open to every one. Even if someone only does one race if they are in the top 4 Aquarius boats for that race they will have helped the club.  Any members wishing to take part should contact Richard Cannon on 01932 786636. The first race is at 11 a.m. Details.

Bodgit Fitting additional launching boardOn 25 April around 25 members completed many outstanding tasks.  An additional length of timber was fitted to the bank, by Bodgit (Marine Division), to extend the launching area for single handers. George and Joan Bray, with help from Liz Archer, provided lunch.  

On 25 April there is a Working party from 10:30am. Come along with gardening tools and clothes. Lunch will be provided.

On 11 April there is an INDOOR mini OLYMPICS 2009 at 7pm. Details, in response to popular demand light refreshments, including pizza and ice cream, will be available.

Start of AQSC 2009 Sailing Season. The clocks go forward on 29 March which is the first day of the 2009 racing season. To mark this event Tea, Coffee and Bacon Butties will be available in the clubhouse prior to the first race start from 10 am. Please remember, as detailed in the Spring edition of 'The Mainsheet', that racing will commence promptly at 11:30 throughout the coming season ... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The Start of Season Party on 21 March was well attended as is usual for this event and a good social atmosphere ensued from the outset.

The commodore gave a welcome to new members and a brief outline of events for this year’s sailing season, also mentioning the next working party which he invited everyone to attend.

This was followed by a grand buffet spread prepared by Nigel, George & Joan Bray, Pat Irving (who baked her wonderful barrabrith), Anne Knowles and Stuart who did a lot of the clearing away after.

Once everyone was full to the gunnels Nigel announced a table quiz which groups of around 5 to 6 members joined forces to participate in. This was a resounding success and very humorous which ensured a very jolly atmosphere.

Tony   

On Sunday 15 March there is a working party from 10:30am. Come along with gardening tools and clothes. Lunch will be provided  - Nigel Knowles

 The 2009 Programme and Duty Roster are on line.

8 March The Spring Newsletter PDF 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 22 February we were very lucky the current had dropped and it was warm for the 38 members and friends who came to the Commodore's frostbite cruise-scavenger hunt following a ‘posh bangers and mash’ lunch.On Sunday 22 February there will be a lunch & Commodores Cruise, details; NOTE date changed from 1 March.

HeartThis Year on Sunday 15 February the Ladies Valentines Lunch will be external to the clubhouse, the venue chosen is the Magic Wok in Surbiton. It is planned for 1.00pm on the day after Valentines day.

The cost will be £18.80 per person for a set menu excluding drinks. Cheques in advance please made payable to “Aquarius Sailing Club” and posted to: Tony Hopkins, CISM, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston, KT1 2EE. No later than the 6th of February.Heart  The Magic Wok is at 5-6 Central Parade St Marks Hill, KT6 4PJ, http://www.magicwok.co.uk/menu.htm. Please do book early.

4 February Security. We have had another unwelcome visitor. We had a report that a cruiser was adrift and found Laurie Bridges cruiser downstream, it had been broken into and untied. Also the club patrol boats had been untied but the locked chains were still on. Boat owners are advised to check their boats and it would be prudent for all wet births to be secured by padlock and chain.

Due to the snow the Social Committee meeting at the Brays scheduled for the 2 February has been POSTPONED until Monday 9 February at 7:30pm.

The Indian Lunch on Sunday 18 January was extremely successful with a full house of 38 members enjoying a delicious Indian meal. There were starters of poppadams, nan and pickles followed by 9 Indian dishes, fruit salad with ice cream and coffee.

Theo and Noah having a Boat race There was so much to eat that there was little time for other activities except a ‘boat race’ and darts (click for a bigger picture). The afternoon concluded with tea and cakes made by Joan Courtney including gorgeous cream eclairs. The only complaint I heard was of people having over eaten.

Thanks go to Liz Archer, Joan & Gordon Courtney for organising the event, to Richard Cannon for helping to select the Indian menu and arranging the takeaway food with the River Side Restaurant in Hampton, to Pat Irving, Linda Wheeler and Tony Hopkins for helping in the kitchen with serving and washing up.

On Sunday 18 January there will be an Indian lunch at 13:00 to be followed by family oriented activities. There will be a quiz to illustrate basic racing rules and tactics and if conditions permit, a safety boat handling competition (bring cold weather gear). The bar billiards, darts and ping pong tables will also be available. The afternoon will conclude with tea and cakes. Lunch must be booked in advance either by ringing 01932 786636, emailingor signing up on the notice board at the Club by Wed 14 Jan at the latest. The cost will be £6.00/adult (£4.00/child) Please indicate if Vegetarian.