News
Club News
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NOTICE 10th March 2010 The Committee discussed the implication of the increasing proportion of the membership claiming the concessionary rate offered to those receiving state pension.
While this concession was designed to encourage those of pensionable age to take up sailing or continue to sail, it had become untenable, as those claiming the reduced rate would soon be in the majority.
One option was to remove the concession but the majority were in favour of continuing to offer a reduced fee to those receiving state pension.
Therefore under rule 46 the committee hereby inform you of the following rule change.
The concessionary rate offered to those receiving state pension will be 2/3 of the full membership fee.
This will make the full membership £75 (unchanged) and the concession rate £50, this byelaw will be implemented 14 days after the notice date. It will then be put before the AGM for approval or set aside as the membership decide by vote.
We hope that you will support this change as the best way to safeguard the future of the club.
_________________________________________________________________ The news letter should go out this week, please do not forget the key exchange date 28th March Sunday and if you have a boat bring your insurance certificate. Pic 1 Easter Island Pic 2 Rio-de-Janeiro Pic 3 Washington DC Pic 4 Mt Fuji ________________________________________________________________________________________ 01st February 2010 Membership, just a few outstanding payments to come in, but as you know payments received after 1st Jan will be subject to a rejoining fee of £30. This applies to everybody that pays late, while we appreciate the considerable contribution that may have been made by some individuals, please appreciate we cannot have rules that some members are excempt from. Your help in getting renewal payments delivered by 1st January are not a big ask, but makes the job of Membership Secretary and Treasurer a lot easier by reducing the paper work involved. Please remember we are unpaid volunteers doing our best for the club and its members. ________________________________________________________________________________________
07th Jan 2010 RE CANCELLATION The tea and cake get together scheduled for Sunday 10th has been cancelled due to the expected bad weather. Hope to see you in February. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 05th Jan 2010 Nick have you checked on your boat recently! External Link http://www.panoramio.com/photo/15756648 ________________________________________________________________________________________ 09th Dec 2009 The club welcomes two new members, Tony McGrath who shares a sailing dinghy with his dad John and Mark Foden who has a canoe. Mark has ventured as far upstream as Wickford and as far downstream as the estuary mouth, probably not on the same day! ________________________________________________________________________________________ 28th Nov 2009 The haulage trailer after a lot of work has finally been fitted with the new axle. A sledge has also been fitted under the tow bar making it easier to pick up and we hope do less damage to the upper none concrete area of the ramp. A special thanks to Mike for his welding of the two plates to the trailer and to Terry for his help and loan of an engine hoist, this made moving the axle a lot easier than it would have been. Len, Danny and myself for all the hours put in, a job well done and completed at a fraction of the original quoted cost. ________________________________________________________________________________________
25th Nov 2009 You may be aware that Brandy Hole has been the target area for a number of thefts from boats on the water. This area is very dark and quiet which is probably why it has been targeted. The marine police are on the case so it is only a matter of time before the offenders will be apprehended. If you are unlucky to be a victim make sure you contact the marine police. If you have an outboard on the back of your boat do not leave the original cover on it, the police can supply a temporary cover. The theory is an engine without the cover is less attractive to a thief and any attempt to obtain an engine cover will bring you to the attention of the police.
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19th Nov 2009
Libel and Slander
Every care is taken on the content of this web site indeed it is part of the conditions of using essexinfo.net that no libellous content shall be allowed. If you are unhappy with any content found on this web site please let me know. For those unsure Libel is "The publication of a false statement that is damaging to a persons reputation."
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4th Nov 2009
The haulage lifting trailer is undergoing repair to the front axle, after several repairs to the front bearings it became clear the best way forward was to replace the complete axle. A front axle was obtained from a commercial vehicle brakers for £125, so not only was this the best option it worked out the cheapest. Progress so far, Len and I have striped off the new axle removing the brakes and other unwanted hardware. The bolts holding the old axle in place have proved a problem to remove, to date I have managed to free four on one side just four remain. Once haulage is complete the new axle will be fitted if all goes to plan.
7th Oct 2009
The haulage season is here, requests for haul out are being made for this week. Please remember the procedure for arranging haulage as this will avoid much frustration. First contact a tractor driver you will find the list in the club almanac, remember your haulage payment is for use of the equipment not the tractor driver, his help is voluntary and is donated to the club. Put the details boat name, date, time and driver on the white board in the cabin, those seeing it may be able to help. Remember to respect the safe limit set by the club, this is 4 tons it is not to be exceeded. Help others with their boat before attempting your own, failure to do this could result in your haulage being put off on safety grounds. Inexperience can result in an accident, so get experience by helping others first.
The work party on Saturday 3rd was attended by the same few who continue to put in the effort to keep the club clean and tidy. A special thanks to those that went the extra mile to attend your efforts are appreciated. The grass was cut, trees that were overhanging the sea wall path were pruned, the cabin was tidied, security lights checked, winch oiled and greased and the hall painted. The dinghy park was also cleared of rubbish making grass cutting easier. Thanks to Gwen and the helpers for the preparation of lunch. 
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16th Sept 2009
Why, that is a question I ask myself after a young man of 21 tried to swim across the river at Hullbridge. While Mr Bushell and myself were enjoying a cup of tea in the clubhouse a very serious incident was unfolding. We were both considering if the tide height was enough for Mike to get his boat down river from just past fenn creek. I wondered why the 4 x 4 police vehicle was parked part way down the Hullbridge public river access road. We soon spotted a policeman trying to get to a young man who we thought to be stuck in the mud, the policeman was travelling downstream near the half tide waters edge. I thought it will soon be two people stuck in the mud. While we considered getting out the club rescue boat all hell broke out. The rescue services arrived in force, three helicopter, four rescue boats including brandy hole, the fire brigade from both sides of the river, the arrival of an ambulance confirmed this was far more serious than a person being stuck in the mud. We were soon informed that a person was missing in the river, we abandoned any thought of getting out the rescue boat, grabbing a pair of binoculars we thought if we could be of any help at all it would be to search the river downstream using the high river bank as a vantage point. We were followed by a rescue helicopter covering the river between the incident and Brandy Hole. We found no sign of anything and returned to the area of the clubhouse. The tide had fallen considerable by 16:00 hrs which enabled the police to start a search in the area around moored boats. The casualty was soon found in the area of the deep fin keeler, an area which has been made deeper by the keel of the yacht.
Why the young man tried to cross the river is unclear, maybe just bravado, Mike and I were both shocked and saddened by the outcome and only wished we had looked out the window earlier, but even then by the time we had got out the rescue boat it would have been to late. While the river was not rough, at half tide the rate of flow is at it's maximum especially at the pinch point between the two ramps. This is a sad reminder to us all, the river is a dangerous place take care when either on it or near it.
See the flowers left in memory of Michael (Cheeky) here.
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12th Aug 2009
Notice to Mariners No 4 of 2009 refers to Ron Pipe Buoy position change. Please update your GPS waypoint data.
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7th Aug 2009
Work Party
The area east of the garage has been in need of attention for several years, recently after removal of the rubble pile it had become water logged rendering the area unusable unless you had wellies.
The WWA agreed to finance its repair and the yacht Club members today first spread a lorry load of crushed concrete and then a lorry load of asphalt. Doug manned the roller, please have a look at the pictures here.
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10th June 2009
Summer Storage
Bills are being sent out by the Membership Secretary, please note some boats having been stored for 3 years since 2006 will see the increased price of summer storage.
The rule is :
Any trailer or cradle not supporting a boat shall be charged according to its length. There is a system for pro-rated credit on the next winter storage for boats on which summer storage fees have been levied, rounded up to the nearest month, provided they are put in the water by the end of September of the current year. Boats pulled out of the water during the season may be charged summer storage at the discretion of the committee of the club. When a boat has been stored in the yard without launching for a period of two years the summer storage fee will be increased as follows: In year 3, 150% of the fee and in year 4, 200% of the fee. At the end of this period the right to storage will be reviewed by the committee. ________________________________________________________________________________________
03rd June 2009
CHA Plaques,
I have sold the 40 plaques supplied by the CHA, If you require a plaque please obtain a form from the notice board. Follow the instructions on the form regarding sending it back to the CHA with your cheque made out direct to the CHA.
Please note the CHA rib has been waiting off the hard to intercept any boat not displaying a current plaque, so make sure yours is displayed.
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19th Apr 2009
Wetlands Project Wallasea
The RSPB made a presentation hosted by the Royal Corinthian in Burnham. The RSPB are in the process of buying the Island and explained what progress had been made. They intend to turn back the clock to the 1600's, pre sea walls when the island had several inlets from the Roach. It is intended to bring in material from the Cross Rail project to construct internal sea walls resulting in five cells within the island. This will enable visitors access to various areas on these raised banks.
The material will be arriving by ship six a day 24/7 for 5 years or more, infact a works licence for 10 years has been applied for.The boats will turn in the Crouch near the No 1 buoy then berth at a jetty used solely for this project. The material will be pumped off if slurried or by grab bucket if solid, it will then be conveyed onto site over the existing wetlands.
The question of noise was raised as this area is a designated quiet area with a back ground noise of less than 45 db, it was agreed noise would be an issue that would have to be controlled and measures taken to minimize the effect.
The effect of shipping turning in an area used by the young optomist sailers and yacht racing was to be controlled by race officers being in contact with shipping so that action could be taken to avert shipping and yachts being in conflict.
Sediment and loss of material from the site was a concern and was answered in the island being a net importer of sediment. While this may be true as very small particles held in suspension fall out when the river water stops flowing as it does in a marina. It did not answer the possibility of the loss of larger particulates that could be carried off site by fast flowing water be it river or fluvial water. These particulates would not stay in suspension but would drop out downstream potentially having an adverse effect on the shallow entry to the Roach and other already shallow areas.
Traffic congestion in Burnham and the lack of parking was felt not to be an issue for the RSPB but for local council to provide adequate parking. It was felt that most visitors to the site would arrive direct by car, it was hoped that a significant number would arrive to Burnham by train. A ferry would then transport vistors from Burnham to Wallasea, a new jetty would be required in Burnham and a jetty near the vistors centre on Wallasea.
Some more extreme concerns were raised, one being can the RSPB guarantee Burnham High Street will not flood. This was answered to allay any fears, explaining the effect the island may have to be very little. A 5.7 metre tide will still be 5.7 metres, the real concerns should be about global warming melting the ice caps a situation outside the control of the RSPB. This question did remind me of a suggestion by a lady recently that instead of raising sea walls any further why not dreadge the rivers to a greater depth.
The question of harbour dues being paid, we were informed harbour dues would be payable for each ship as it would normally be in any port.
The cost of this venture in the view of the RSPB would be neutral, so the income stream from importing material from the Cross Rail project would be enough to fund the purchase of the island and the work on site. So effectively the RSPB are getting the island for nothing with the prospect of an income from visitors to the site although that is clearly some time off. This project is a stroke of genious not the work of a bird brain me thinks.
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18-Apr-2009
Thanks tothose that contributed to the RNLI Box at the winter tea and cake afternoons. A total of £46 was collected this was made up to £100 from club funds. A cheque was sent to the RNLI today on your behalf.
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06-Apr-2009
First Boat back in today
Zanskar was launched today in ideal conditions, warm with very light winds. Several others are nearly ready so we should soon see a mass exodus from the yard. Also today Grace became a cyclist, after Ray took off her stabilizers, with a little help she was soon cycling up and down the yard well done Grace.
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27-Mar-2009
Please remember
The work party on 19th April, the usual jobs plus the launch ramp next to the dinghy park needs repair just the section next to the gate. Grasscutting and painting some of the fence. The new weather station has been fitted to the mast and the wireless receiver in the lounge area. While the mast was down it was also painted white. The fitting out supper is to be held on 25th April with a choice of either chicken or fish and chips, entertainment by the Shanty band, tickets are only £5 so contact Sue MacEwen to secure a ticket.
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27-Jan-2009
Seehund is finally lifted onto the transporter and we all wave her off. All done in glorious sunshine and without a hitch. The bacon rolls were an added bonus at tea break, well done and a thank you from Mike to all who helped.
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26-Jan-2009
Have you tried using the search facility, if you are looking for details on a particular subject maybe haulage or storage then search will list every document where it occurs. Then just click on the document you want to refer to. Hope this helps enhance your use of the site, particularly new or propective members hunting for information.
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21-Jan-2009
Seehund has been sold, it was going to be delivered by sea but due to the distance and the risk of bad weather. Mike told me he wanted to load the boat onto a transporter so that it could go by road. We had the problem that it was not possible to get a transporter far enough under the lift trailer. It was thought the only way was to take the boat to Burnham and get it craned onto the transporter. It had never been tried before but I thought it might just be possible to use the old A-Frame to lift the bow and the lift trailer to lift the stern.
See the pictures here
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13-Jan-2009
We continue to attract more new members many after having viewed the web site and like what they see. We welcome the new member Ray Hockley he gave an account of his sailing experience, which included chartering in the mediterranean. Ray hasn't got a boat yet but hopes to get a dinghy to start with then progress to a cruiser. I have received the plaques and PAD forms from the CHA see the scale of charges here
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16-Dec-2008
The Members Fact Sheet has been added to the web site, it can be found under Membership. I have also updated the programme for 2009, leaving the remaining 2008 dates for December. We are rapidly approaching year end so please avoid being charged a £30 rejoining fee by renewing by the year end deadline. If you do not intend to renew we wish you well and good sailing in 2009, please can you let the membership sec know your intentions.
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17-Nov-2008
The xmas party tickets are now on sale from Sue MacEwen at £5 each. This is always well supported so please book your tickets early. Please bring food to share and your own drinks.
Sue tells me all the tickets have been sold (14-12-08)
Finally remember the event date 20th Dec 2008
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Monday 29th Sep 2008
AGM. Will be held on 21st October
Starting at 20:00 Hrs
Notices will be posted out today, if you do not get yours please contact Helen after allowing at least 5 days for it to arrive. Have you moved and not given the club an updated address, while our records are good they are subject to human error.
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Saturday 12th July 2008
Open House.
The open day was a complete success, thanks to all the hard work by Helen and Tom, also the kind donations of food and raffle prizes. The weather was a bit threatening so we assembled inside the building just in case, we were lucky no rain, well not much. Lucky also we have purchased new chairs as they were all being used, great to see so many members and visitors from local clubs. The Commodore could not attend due to illness, we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Pics here
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SATURDAY 28th June 2008
During the week somebody decided to improve the public ramp, they also in the process cut a section out of the concrete wall. This represented a considerable hazard to the public, with the help of the Hat it was repaired any further occurance will be reported to the police.
Eyotts Open House.
The Commodore and his wife, the Treasurer and Secretary attended this event as always we were made most welcome. Other guests included members from Up River and Brandy Hole. Food as usual was excellent and in great abundance. Many thanks to Eyotts for their hospitality.
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Sunday 20th April 2008
Working Party
The weather was kind to us and at least it did not rain. At least 25 members did there bit to help keep the club clean and tidy. The cabin was cleaned and swept out, the trailer painted, the south facing fence was creosoted, the dinghy park tidied and the grass cut. Helen and Pauline were in charge of lunch for the workers. It made a big difference well done to all those that helped. Maybe those that could not make this work party can make the next, date is in the almanac.
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Friday 7th March 2008
First Aid.
Dawn Smith, a First Aid Instructor and Paramedic with the Marine Police Section, has kindly agreed to give a practical first aid talk/demonstration at South Woodham Ferrers Yacht Club on Tuesday 25 March
starting at 8pm
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Tuesday 4th March 2008
Key Change.
On Sunday 2nd March the keys and door entry code were changed, those that did not attend will have another chance on the 9th March at the tea and coffee afternoon. Please remember if you store a boat in the yard that proof of insurance is required when exchanging your key.
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Tuesday 23rd October 2007
Committee Meeting
It was noted that the Haulage trailer has been painted after it had been grit blasted. It had three coats of epoxy and two coats of blue to match the tractor. A vote of sincere thanks to all those that helped.
New Members
The committee accepted the following new members we welcome them to the club.
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Mr John Pope with Pagan Prince.
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Mr James and Mrs Maureen Pope Social.
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Mr Anthony and Mrs Gwen Groves with Zansicar Cobra 850
Saturday 20th October 2007
Laying up Supper
The event was very well supported and enjoyed by all, the choice of Ploughmans cheese or ham followed by apple pie with cream or custard.
The photographic prize was won by Audrey Dale well done again!
PS The custard tasted just great.
Tuesday 16th October 2007
AGM.
The AGM was well attended, the Commodore, Treasurer and a WWA committee member gave their reports.
The following rules and fee changes were passed.
All committee members understand that their contributions to the committee is on a voluntary basis. To increase the storage fee from £2.50 / ft to £3.00 / ft
Saturday 22nd Sept 2007
Working Party
What a glorious day for a sail! and a working party, the grass was given its final cut for the year, the fence repaired and creosote sub applied. The tractor oil was changed by Tom. The workshop was cleaned out and the rescue boat trailer front roller removed so that it can be welded back in the correct position so that all three rollers contact the boat. Helen was in charge of the bar-b-que with Pauline producing copious amounts of tea. Thank you to all those that gave up their precious time - well done.
Sunday 16th Sept 2007
Certificates of Competence.
Counciller Mrs Maureen Moulds presented the certificates to those members who had attended a course on the safe operation of the clubs rescue boat. She praised the work done in the community by the two sailing clubs and in particular that of Mr Doug MacEwen and Mr Barry Smith. Mrs Wendy Coupertwaite presented Doug with two bottles of wine in appreciation of all the work he had put in in running the course. Maureen also presented both clubs with Bell (Belkin Emergency Life Line) life lines supplied by the town council.
Saturday 7th July 2007
Open House BBQ
At last the weather made all the effort well worth while with 60 members and visitors from Brandy Hole and Eyotts attending the event. Brandy hole came up in their launch and anchored just off the hard. With far more members than expected a second visit was made to ASDA for sausages and burgers, this was despite Brandy Hole bringing provisions to the event. The sweets were provided by the ladies, alas we could not eat it all. See a couple of pictures here.
Saturday 19th May 2007
Fitting Out Supper
The function although put back a couple of weeks was very well attended, we were entertained by the Shanty Band with plenty of participation from those present. The proceeds over costs going to the Caister life boat fund, this was just over £100 pounds.
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Saturday 5th May 2007
Dinghy Points Series
The dinghies had light fickle winds for this the first race of the season, have a look at the corrected times on the first three boats to see just how close this was. Also the position for 4th and 5th place was a very close thing. The new rescue boat was crewed by Helen and Richard, race start and finish by Pauline.
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Wednesday 28th March 2007
Rescue Boat Training.
After the purchase of a new RIB rescue craft it was felt that it was essential that anybody using this craft must be trained. Our training Officer Mr Doug MacEwen has kindly offered his services free to those wishing to be available as competent helm and crew of this craft.
The course covers:
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Practical Boat Handling.
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Navigation.
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Knowledge of Rules of the Road.
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Safety.
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Tidal Waters.
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Pilotage.
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Man Overboard.
A lot of ground was covered, knots, tide height curves, Charts, IALA buoyage system - (hazard marks, portand starboard marks, safe water marks, Cardinal Marks), Beaufort Wind Scale, Weather forecast and trailer regulations.
The next evening course is Wednesday 4th April at 20:00hrs
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Sunday 18th March 2007
Flood Watch,
The Environment Agency flood alert level went from FLOOD WATCH - FLOOD WARNING as a result 16 volunteers, mostly club members kept watch on the tide level from 22:00 hrs - 23:30 hrs when it became clear the 1 metre surge in the north sea had receeded sufficient for us to stand down. It is expected that a 1 metre surge at Woodham on top of a 5.5 metre predicted tide would put us very close to the top of the wall, so many thanks to all those that gave up valuable sleep time to attend.
If you have any doubt about the need for us to turn out, then please see this BBC news clip. Be aware be ready!
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Tuesday 13th March 2007
Talk,
John and Audrey Dale gave an illustrated talk about their experiences cruising in Holland on their trailer sailer Dixie a Hunter Minstrel. Clearly a lot of time had been spent in preparation of material for this talk, which paid of as the large audience showed great appreciation, also in asking many questions at the end.
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15th February 2007
Art Group,
Some members meet in the clubhouse on every Thursday morning to enjoy 2hrs of art. Maybe you would like to join them or even join the club as a social member. The light as shown in the picture can be very good for drawing, Margaret is so engrossed I doubt that she was even aware that I took this picture.
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11th February 2007
Prize Giving,
At the tea and Coffee + cake afternoon the prizes were presented by Wendy, nice to see so many collect a prize, see the pictures here.
24th January 2007
Rewarded,
For giving special service to the borough and local community, Doug MacEwen as a member of South Woodham Yacht Club, was invited to attended the Community Award evening at the invitation of the Mayor. Councillor Maureen Moulds nominated Doug for his services to the club and being instrumental in setting up water safety courses for the young people of the town. Also for working with the South Woodham Ferrers Community Safety Forum, investigating the setting up of a combined water emergency protocol with the Fire, Police and Ambulance Service. Well done Doug for getting this well deserved accolade in recognition for your efforts and good work in the community. See Doug proudly displaying his plaque here.
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13th January 2007
Membership Cards & Almanacs
These have all been posted out or delivered by hand in SWF, if you have not received yours please let the Membership Sec know by e-mail. A few members as always have not rejoined and we wish them well in their new clubs or other activities. Please do return your gate key to the Membership Secretary to get a £5 deposit refund. If you have accidently lapsed your membership and wish to continue as a member you will now incur a £30 rejoining fee, as indicated on the back of the renewal form.
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9th January 2007
Diesel Engines
Tom gave an illustrated talk on the fuel system of your engine from the tank to the injectors. Plenty of discussion on the way making it a most enjoyable evening and it was nice to see plenty of support and appreciation from those present.
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9th December 2006
Flood Watch Volunteers
On saturday afternoon the flood watch volunteers had an exercise. This involved inspection of kit and a safe pickup from the sea wall steps, see some of the pictures taken of the exercise here. This exercise I think reminded us all of the virtues of doing it safely. We all gathered in the club lounge afterwards for tea and biscuits (thanks Doug) and a Flood Watch presentation. Many thanks to all those that gave up their time for an enjoyable and worth while event.
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14th November 2006
Membership Renewal
All of the renewal forms have now gone out, so far I have received 18 back many thanks to those that have paid so promptly. Data is now extracted from an Access database into the renewal form, the idea being that this saves your time in re-entering data year after year. Please check for any errors or update of your details. Finally please remember payment is by CHEQUE only payable to SWFYC, the form must be SIGNED and dated. The last date for renewals is 1st January 2007 after which your membership will have lapsed.
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4th November 2006
Barbecue Night
The members enjoyed an evening at the club where it was cook your own food on the club barbecue. The firework display at Marsh Farm staged by the Rotary was an added bonus and what a display it was. All the better for the clear skies all bathed in the glow from a full moon. See some pictures posted on the album starting with the bonfire.
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26th October 2006
Fast Flood Water Awareness.
The clubhouse was the venue for a presentation by Mr Terry Webb of the Essex Fire and Rescue Services. The talk was illustrated by slides and very informative. What I got out of it was the need to have the ability to carry out a rapid risk analysis, there is no point in risking your life to save a cat or dog or trying to do the impossible, always consider risk against benefit, know the limitation of yourself and the equipment at your disposal. One film clip showed just how easy it is in panic to make the situation worse and actually drown the very person/persons you are desparately trying to save.
Lets hope we never have to use that which we have learnt, but should we find ourselves called upon, then we are that much better equiped to do so. Many thanks to Mr Webb for giving up his time to make the presentation.
For more information about the 1953 floods see here.
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7th October 2006
Working Party,
How lucky we were with the weather being so kind, about fifteen members spent a worth while day getting the grass cut and the yard generally cleaned up. Well done lads and the ladies for laying on the bar-b-cue not literally I might add. Tom looks as though he has cut an acre! or is it a pain in the grass? picture.
Flood Watch,
A few members of the flood watch volunteers prove it's not a pointless exercise see the picture.
10th Sep 2006
Tide Tables,
The tide tables for October in the Clubs Almanac are for Sept, Whoops! the secretary has copied over the wrong month. A correction will be sent out, please in the mean time cross through the month of October to avoid confussion. The good news is we did not see an ultra high tide today, at my mooring which is approximatly at chart datum I recorded measured by weighted line 5.6 metres. The move of the large vessel from Battlesbridge did not happen, evidently it did not lift completly from the saltings. The CHA will try again on next months springs. I will give an update here if and when we get more information.
30th Aug 2006
The ECC Tidal Flood Alarm, was tested today at 11.00 am and by coincidence the flood volunteers from the club had a presentation by Mr Barry Smith (South Woodham Ferrers Safety Forum) and Mr Doug MacEwen. The evening was well attended and several issues and questions were raised. One unknown was how high will the tide have to be to result in it coming over the wall and if it does how far will it spread. In order to make it easier to find the Environment Agency flood warnings I have put a link in the links page and here. High spring tides under normal pressure and winds are not a problem it is the combined effect of low pressure, strong winds and high tides together. Very high tides occur on 9th & 10th September just be aware and maybe consider what would you do if the Tidal Flood Alarm sounded?
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15th Aug 2006
Essexinfo.net, web site back up and running after a week off-line for an update to be completed.
Widdy Wid Cancelled, due to bad weather conditions.
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22nd July 2006 Dinghy Race points series No 2, most of the fleet even before starting got immediatly carried away by the tide. After an hours struggle to cover 200yds the race was abandoned due to no wind. Mark had his mirror "Lady in Red" out for the first time racing, it looks very smart after Mark has spent many evenings in the garage getting it ready to go back on the water.
8th July 2006 Fifty - Fifty, ended up on the wall again see the picture. The odds on it turning right over were probably you guessed it 50:50. When the tide returned it righted itself with no obvious damage. It was returned to a nearby empty mooring until its own mooring can be repaired. The reason for its departure was what can only be described as garden fence chain between the swivel and ground chain. Remember the mooring is only as sound as the weakest link maybe its time to check yours?
4th July 2006 Youth Sailing & Rowing on tuesday evening another group this time from Collingwood Primary School, enjoyed an evening in the sun at Eyotts. Three groups were formed for the activities on the water and ashore. On the water one group got to grips with the art of rowing while the other got a taster at sailing in Mirrors and Heron dinghies. Have as much fun as possible was the order of the day in my tender, well done Zoe for doing just that to the max. What a great team building event these have turned out to be, not just for the pupils but also for the helpers and club members as well. Have fun on the water but remember to be safe "wear a life jacket".
1st July 2006 Club Open Day held on Saturday was a great success not just because of the glorious weather but also due to all those that made food and the joint efforts of Wendy and her social team. Also a special thanks to those at the helm of the bar-b-cue, the pictures tell the story see here. We also enjoyed the company of members from the Dinghy Cruising Association who stayed overnight on the hard.
24th June 06 Dinghy Picnic on the salt marsh near Battlesbridge, we left in light drizzle and vitually zero wind. Once we got there due mainly to the tide, the sun came out and with little wind it soon got very hot. The tide turned soon after we arrived and a light breeze came in from the west. On our return it was discovered Trooper had come adrift from EC5 and was laying alongside Footloose on EC8, having snagged its riser chain. Mark and Trevor towed Trooper using Marks RIB to another mooring. 19th June 06 Club awareness, an event to promote boating with the young in Woodham was held at Eyott Sailing Club. Eyott supplied the sailing dinghies and we supplied the rowing boats. The pupils from Trinity St Mary's had a great time as did the small band of helpers from both clubs. So thank you to Tom, Wendy, Trevor, Tony, Mark, Paul and especially Doug who organised the event with the Commodore of Eyotts Mr Alan Brunning. Also thank you to the youngsters for being such sports and making the whole thing very worth while. 10th June 06 Commodores Cup, dinghy race was well contended in fine but windy conditions. We had a few near miss capsizes as did other boats so we were pleased to have the rescue boat out manned by Tony and Mark. The race was won by Len in Wot Knot a GP14 see photo. Steps for Change Day, held in Compass Gardens to promote sport for the family. Doug and myself set up our pitch with Dougs dinghy. Don also gave his support by attending and donating some sweets as prizes for our throw the buoy to the casualty demostration. The sun was out in full force making this an ideal event to promote our club. Take a look at the photo album.
02nd June 06 Garage Cladding,this job is now completed, we managed to put battens on each joint, held in place with three bolts to each batten and completly clad the building all for £750. The original estimate was for £1000 but Ray Wood managed to get us a discount on the weather board which resulted in a saving for both clubs. Thanks to all those who helped especially Len and Ray who put in many hours of hard work.
17th May-06 Grass Cutting, it was decided to purchase another Stihl strimmer to enable three volunteers to cut the grass at the same time. Maybe you could spare a few hours to help keep the grass under control. The income from this goes back into club funds so we all benefit not only from having a clean and tidy site but enjoying fees below that of a commercial yard where everything has a price. 29-April-06 Fitting Out Supper,The Shanty Band played to a full house, Wendy having sold all of the tickets, extra chairs had to be found. The evening was a success in terms of a great evenings entertainment and £195 being raised in excess of costs to be shared between the club, shanty band and the Caister life boat. Wendy thanked all those that helped make it possible.
28-April-06 The Garage, as you may be aware the planning permission granted on the garage was retrospective to it being erected and was subject to it being clad to match the building. We were given six months to complete this task, all of the items required have now been ordered and work is in progress. The Veranda, this is now complete and has been passed by the building inspector. At the moment we are using chairs and tables from inside the building, this works well but please return same back afterwards.
28-March-06 The lounge Carpet,after storing the carpet behind the bar for six years it was agreed at the last WWA meeting to get it laid as a stop gap until more funds are available to purchase more expensive carpet. The news is we now have it on the floor and stain free at the moment. Please remember the rule is no smoking upstairs in the lounge so it should remain burn free.
25-March-06 The working party today, not only was it well supported but it demonstrated what we can achieve together. The old stained carpet was removed and taken down the local recycle centre, a case of many hands making light work, well done to all. Tom & Wendy purchased the barbeque and Tom & Gerry put it together, we just had to try it out didn't we, what a treat. Thanks to Jock the winch now has a new hardwood base, you should have seen the rot in the old base. Phil worked away in the corner repairing and replacing the missing skirting board, nice job. Tom and others fitted new stair hand rails, a request some months ago from Doris. Evidently when you get older it is safer to have two hand rails that you can easily grip, lets hope Doris gets many more years pleasure from using them. Ray & Richard treated seven more fence panels just a few left to do. Kevin worked all afternoon on the front door much of the time fixing his sander, eventually the weather beat him, but then so did the sander. The tractor looks well loved after six of us applied gallions of blue paint to it and ourselves, new member Mark wouldn't even stop for tea. I think our new slogan should be Together we can make it happen thanks to all. At the meeting on Tuesday (21/03/06) it was decided to purchase a new barbeque, it was felt gas would be best as it can be turned on and off as required.
03rd June 06
The only news at the moment is that we have the makings of a web site, a thank you to Essexinfo.net for hosting this community site for free. This certainly got butts into action to a least come up with something. I hope it proves useful to members and prospective members alike. If you spot an error please let me know, also any good ideas for the site will be well received.
Membership Sec
South Woodham Ferrers Yacht Club.
23rd February 2010
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