“They didn’t think much to the seaside, the waves they was fiddling and small, there were no shipwrecks and nobody drownded, in-fact nothing to laugh at all!” (From Albert and the Lion)
I have to say that I am extremely grateful that this year’s East Coast Cruise was entirely enjoyable and a good time was had by all. More later. How can it be nearly September already? Anyone who mentions Christmas cards in my hearing will forfeit a pint of Wherry. Well, here we go again and let’s see what we have in the August Newsletter.
EAST COAST CRUISE
After the excitement of last year’s cruise (falling off boats, ropes around props, boats sinking, engines packing up and my cousin Tony being hoisted up a mast – he may still be up there!) this year was something of an anti-climax – much to my great relief.
Seven boats set off from Lowestoft on Sunday 31st July heading for Shotley Marina in Harwich harbour to be joined on Monday by New Horizons helmed by Michael Sparrow (having only returned from a trip to Holland the day before) and crewed by the Commodore, Ray Segon and Mark Collins. New Horizons enjoyed some brisk sailing on the way down with healing angles of up to 40 degrees at which point the head-sail was partly furled and the main sail put away – enough is enough!
On Tuesday 2nd August five boats went to Bradwell Marina leaving the other three at Shotley. We noted that the old Bradwell nuclear power station has been given a shiny new coat but does little in the way of generating electricity. On Thursday 4th August the fleet met up at Tollesbury and the following day sailed to Suffolk Yacht Harbour. At some point New Horizons spent a night at Brightlingsea but my notes are not too clear on this, probably the boat’s whisky is to blame! The fleet enjoyed an excellent meal in The Lighthouse restaurant and I gather from the owner we ate them out of stores altogether. Thankfully the cellar kept going.
Then on to Wolverton Marina where the fleet was joined by Blyth Spirit helmed by Frank O’Neal and crewed by Mark Collins (who went back by train to join Frank).
Sunday 6th August saw the fleet off after some powered assistance to get some of the boats away from a lee-shore mooring. It was interesting to see the various cunning techniques used and in one case demonstrated the importance of the chap at the helm knowing which way he was going to be pulled! Then to Ipswich for fireworks and a meal at the Isaac Lords restaurant on the harbour side. Ipswich, at least this part of the town, really has got its act together and almost has the air of a Mediterranean harbour, well, almost.
From Ipswich (Tuesday 9th August) the fleet headed for the Tidemill Marina at Woodbridge and, believe it or not, they all got there and ended up rafted out in a corner (very cosy!) as the Marina was full to bursting. Some of the members were treated to coffee and tour of the Black Rose sailing barge built and sailed by Michael Enness. Liz Reynolds had been a member of the crew on a previous occasion. We were ‘weathered in’ at the Tidemill until Thursday 11th August when the fleet ran down to Felixstowe Ferry, mooring on buoys ready for an early start in the morning when we would return to Lowestoft.
The final day was blessed with a favourable wind, blue skies and sunshine and a moderate sea – what more could we ask?
Many thanks to Nigel Wordingham for planning the cruise, booking marinas and restaurants, organising daily briefings and generally acting as a focus for day-to-day decision making.
JOHN REDDING
John sailed almost all of the East Coast Cruise single-handed (as he usually does) but his flying training (plus a good deal of common sense) has
taught him the truth of the well-known saying ‘there are old pilots and there are bold pilots – but there
are no old bold pilots’. John has asked me to include the following in this month’s newsletter:
‘Since the first Taste of Salt cruise twenty six years ago I have enjoyed our Club sea cruises. “The Lonely Sea and the Sky” are the two elements that I have always treated with great respect. I am still enjoying the challenges of sea sailing but I must not continue until I become a liability to others. My eighty-sixth birthday next month is a good point to declare that My Weigh will not go south of Lowestoft.
My most sincere thanks to all those who leave me with happy memories. Will I still be racing? You bet!
John Redding.’
FOUNDERS TROPHY AND NOVICE CUP 27TH/28TH AUGUST
This is definitely one of the high spots of the sailing year for our members whether racing on Wroxham Broad or enjoying the view from the clubhouse veranda. So far we have 11 entries for races and around 45 people will be dining in the restaurant on Saturday evening. John Tibbenham (Race Secretary) has asked me to remind all those who won trophies last year to return them to him as soon as possible so that they may be made ready for the annual prize-giving in November. Wroxham weekend would be a good opportunity to do this.
WORK PARTY SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
Your calendar shows a work party on Saturday 3rd September but please note that this has been changed to Sunday 4th September. The main task is to prepare for the Oby Thistle/Emblem Trophy regattas taking place on the following weekend. Grass cutting, reed cutting, cleaning the clubhouse, provision of water, petrol and gas etc., tidy up the storeroom. The Commodore’s bacon butties as usual.
REED ENCROACHMENT
You may have noticed that reed growth is encroaching across the river from the left-hand bank at the left-hand bend downstream of the clubhouse. I have written to the Broads Authority about this and received confirmation that they are aware of the problem. Being ‘aware’ and doing something about it don’t always go together and it
will be late 2017 before any dredging will be done. Part of the problem these days is that spoil from dredging cannot be just dumped but requires permissions by landowners, planning consents, health and safety considerations, environmental matters and so on and so on. Late 2017 sounds
optimistic but be assured I will not let the matter be forgotten.
BARN DANCE SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER
Following the success of last year’s dance I am looking forward to another great show compared by our Vice Commodore with the incomparable Mick Bashford calling the dances. Rumours that the show is about to go on the road (or river) for a tour of Norfolk are unfounded but any offers will be seriously considered – but not for long! An opportunity to enjoy traditional American country dancing with excellent food and drink included, and a caller who knows his stuff will ensure that everyone will enjoy the evening. Could be a good way to lose a few pounds and have fun. Tickets are £12 per person including a ploughman’s supper and there will be a well-stocked bar. Contact Tom Parkinson on 01603 720114 or the Vice Commodore on 01787 371608 or to book.
OBY THISTLE AND EMBLEM TROPHY
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 10TH/11TH SEPTEMBER
These races are held on our ‘home ground’ on the Bure between The Anchorage and a little upstream of Thurne Mouth. There will be a DIY BBQ on Saturday and the marquee will be in position.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Jeckells Talk
Your Committee is already giving thought to arranging various activities for the winter non-sailing months and the first of these will be at the Jeckells sail-loft at Wroxham. Early next year Jeckells Sails will be laying on an evening talk and demonstration of sail design using computers and laser cutters to produce the individual components which are then stitched and finished to make a high performance sail. I will be circulating further information later in the year.
Caister Lifeboat
A talk about the history of the lifeboat service, shipping along the East Coast and in particular the history of this famous lifeboat station and some of the notable events that have occurred. The talk will be given by Derek George (Secretary) and will include a visit to the Caister Lifeboat Station, the lookout point and the Museum.
TRAINING
The next training day is on Saturday 17th September and Bob Nicholls would be glad to hear from all those who would like to join in what will be the last session of the year. The reports I have had tell me that these events have been extremely useful and those who have taken part have improved their boat handling and general sailing skills as a result. Contact Bob on 01493 780341 or
SAILING SECRETARY
John Tibbenham has been our Sailing Secretary for as long as I can remember and before that he was Commodore from 2010 to 2012. Over these years his attention to detail and his thoroughness in carrying out the duties he has taken on have been greatly appreciated – particularly by me. John would like to hand over the Sailing Secretary role at the end of this year and I would be very glad to hear from any member who would consider taking on the role. You may be assured of plenty of support from John and the other members of the Committee.
COMMITTEE INVITATION
Some of the present Committee members have served for a good many years and could do with a break. If you would be prepared to consider joining the Committee but are not sure of what is required then you are invited to sit in on a meeting at any time. Contact me on 01493 751915 or or Julia Morcher (Secretary) on 01692 581064 or
To visit our Facebook entry go to Northern Rivers Sailing Club Group. Many thanks to Mike Morcher for setting this up for us to enjoy.
TIES
I have one Club tie left and at £15 it is a bargain. Send me a cheque and it will be in the post the same day.
RED BOOK
Preparation of the 2017 Red Book will be underway before long and we rely on income from our advertisers to cover the cost of producing the book. If you use any of our advertisers please make sure you mention that you saw their ad in the book – it makes it much more likely that they will renew the advertisement.
And Finally
This is the point at which I rummage through my mind and the various notes on my desk to see what
I have forgotten. The simple way of finding out of course is to hit the return key and send the newsletter off into the wide, wide, world of NRSC members then almost immediately I remember what I meant to include – too late.
On another subject: up here in Norfolk we are somewhat isolated from what goes on in the Capital and, given the fairly dramatic political events that have taken place over recent months, one may be excused for a certain amount of cynicism – do these people in Westminster really know what people think? To put some of this into perspective go to Google and type in The Secret People, G K Chesterton – you will find it quite interesting.
Bring back Yes Minister. Come to that, bring back The Muppets – they really made sense. Kermit for Prime Minister?
With my kind regards,
Mike Powell - Commodore
01493 751915
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