Commodore

THE AQUARIUS SAILING CLUB NEWSLETTER

The Commodore writes……… Nigel Knowles

Its newsletter time again!.....help! What do I write? ....So much has happened ... but it is already captured in eloquent articles elsewhere.... and anyway it is not really "news"..... so why do we call it a "news" letter when it is really an informal record of Club life?

It is of course an essential feature of the Club, helping to promote the Club's identity and foster a sense of community.

That sense of community is currently very much in the minds of many of us as we recall memories of Bob Sumner who died on 10 July. Bob was a member for over 55 years and his record of service to the Club is remarkable. George Bray's appreciation is elsewhere in this newsletter.

As I write this we are already half way through the season and looking forward to some sailing in Chichester Harbour, courtesy of Chichester Yacht Club, on Sunday Aug 3rd. Richard has arranged this in conjunction with the Signet Nationals which take place from 2-8th August and CYC's "Family Week". We are assured of a warm welcome and according to demand will take a variety of Club boats. If you wish to go please contact Richard asap.

Also in August note that there is a BYO (Bring Your Own) Barbeque on Saturday 16 August, preceding a trip up river by patrol boat to view the illuminated sail past and fireworks.

The programme of improvements to the Club infrastructure has continued- the most significant - in terms of human effort and financial expenditure - being new windows and associated strengthening to the Club room.

Plans are afoot to refurbish the galley, but once this is completed then Phase One will be complete: Phase One was the plan, hatched under Mike Baker's stewardship, to bring the Club facilities up to date and provide for current membership needs.

However nothing stays still and arguably the Club needs to embark on a Phase Two, in which we think how we should develop the Club for the future and we start planning how to implement it. The Committee will be discussing ideas over the next few months with a view to putting recommendations to the AGM in December.

I conclude with a number of reminders;

Please keep your berth in a tidy state. Untidy, neglected berths reflect badly on the Club and invite vandalism.

Please be aware of the correct gate etiquette: On Wednesdays, Sundays and other times when there is an organised Club event the outer gate (i.e the nearest one to Lower Sunbury Rd) should be left open with the chain locked in a continuous loop. The inner gate must be locked at all times, (unless there is someone present in the car park who has accepted responsibility to lock it when they leave; a member has had his car broken into). NEVER leave the the pad lock unlocked (we have had padlocks stolen). ALWAYS close the chain loop (a member has been locked in when the Water Board bypassed our lock when the loop wasn’t closed).

No pets are allowed on the Club premises.

No bonfires are allowed. Please take your rubbish away with you.

Good sailing!