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Club
America's Cup Challenge
The Club was delighted to be chosen as one of four clubs based around the Solent to be considered as a suitable club to issue the America’s Cup Challenge on behalf of Sir Ben Ainslie and his Sponsor, INEOS. We were chosen because both Ben and Jim Ratcliffe have close ties with Lymington but, more importantly, because of the strength of our Youth and Junior sailing programme at the Club, particularly Wednesday Junior Sailing, which has been providing sailing tuition to a wide range of children in the community over the last 34 years, with the benefit of significant financial support from Lymington Yacht Haven. Ben and Jim are particularly keen that as well as making a serious, well-funded Challenge there should also be a legacy coming from the Challenge to promote sailing at the grass roots level to as wide an audience as possible throughout the country.
Sadly, despite a strong bid by us they decided to continue with the tradition of the Royal Yacht Squadron as the challenging club. However, we hope to continue the relationship with the team and INEOS in the future
Roger Garlick, Commodore
ePotter News
In this, the final edition of ePotter News, at least for the time being, I am sure that all Members will join me in thanking our editor, Ann Brunskill, who has worked tirelessly for ten years to bring us this tremendous magazine each and every month. Not only has it kept us up to date with events coming up at the Club, it reported on recent events and then ranged widely to describe the successes of our sailors everywhere. The reports about our youngsters’ achievements all around the world have been a particular pleasure.
Ann has decided to retire and take a well-earned rest from this onerous duty so we are taking the opportunity to review the way we communicate with you. I hope you have been receiving one, or both, the weekly emails we are now sending, one covering on-the-water events and the other covering events on shore. We are trying to format these newsletters to be easy to read on all types of device, and will be sending fewer ‘chaser’ emails from the Office. We are hoping that people will get used to their weekly news from the Club and not expect constant reminders through the week.
We will, unfortunately, lose the editorial reports and stories which have been such a strong feature of ePN. However, work is well in hand to launch a new Club website later in the summer. This will be easier to navigate, especially on a smartphone, and we will post reports there to replace those in ePN.
Thank you Ann.
Robin Taunt, Vice-Commodore
From the Editor
It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to publish the tremendous range of activities and achievements of our Club and the Members over the last 10 years. I have enjoyed learning about so many activities of the Club that I never knew happened.
In no particular order because you all helped to make ePotterNews what it is, to the Vice Commodores who have guided me over the last ten years and kept me in line; Neil Eccles, whose idea it was; Kirsty who has worked the magic with the technical bits, all the contributors both regular and individual and last, but not least, Members who have read and given me feedback.
Ann Brunskill, Editor of ePN
General Data Protection Regulation
With just over 3 weeks to go, the Club has been busy preparing for the new General Data Protection Regulation which comes into force on May 25th and as such you should have received correspondence from us seeking your “informed consent” to allow us to continue to hold and process your personal data. For this reason our Privacy Statement has been updated and included in this year’s “List of Members & Yachts 2018” from page 135, To view an electronic copy, please click here. If you haven’t already let the Club know your privacy preferences then you can submit these electronically via the link below:
or contact [email protected] who can send your preference form out.
We've recived 1646 responses so far, so 28% of the Membership are yet to respond. It is IMPORTANT that we have a response from every Member including Children!
Thank you for your co-operation.
Kirsty Timmis, General Manager - Operations
Congratulations
RYA National Youth Championships - Another Club Success.
Apologies as well as congratulations to Annabel Luxton and her teammate who placed 4th in the Nacra 15 Class, they also claimed the U17 title.
Racing
Calling all solo, double-handed and fully crewed racers. A reminder of forthcoming events:
The first of our Duo series kicks off on Saturday 5th May, followed by another on the 12th. Double handed racing is seriously good fun, and if you're a real Billy no mates like me, you can do it solo!
Don't forget the Summer Regatta and Ball, to be held on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th, ( evening races ) and two races on the Saturday, 9th June with the prizegiving in the evening, followed by Summer ‘knees up’ to a steel band.
And finally, racing for the Kings Cup ( IRC ) and Ding Dong Trophy ( LAH ) round the Island on Saturday 15th Sept. 0800hrs start, Lymington to Lymington, prize giving in the evening, followed by supper. Could be a lovely family day out, so put it in your diaries.
Chris Rustom, Captain of Racing
Monday Evening Dinghies
Monday Evening Dinghy Racing has begun, wet and windy for the first race of the season and less windy with no rain for race 2. The forecast is better so come and start the week with a trip round the bay in the Solent courtesy of your friendly race team. Full details on the website.
House
After the onslaught of the Beast from the East in March, April has been a much better month. Lots going on, a lovely atmosphere in the Club and we're even making a little money.
The all-day staffing is working well, with Members dropping in for coffee and sometimes cakes as well as reading the papers and chatting with friends. We will be continuing this all summer so do drop in. There is always a choice of speciality coffees and teas or machine coffee for £1 a cup. Your call!
The new Club Gin – ‘414’ made by Dancing Cow was launched with a fanfare and seems to have gone down well with over 20 bottles already bought by Members. It is a very summery gin and slips down easily. We are running a 2 for 1 offer every Friday evening during the summer, so do come down and try it.
The wine tasting to choose the new Royal Wine List was very successful with over 70 attending. Unfortunately only 60 of those people paid, which means that the event didn’t cover its costs. I agreed to allow a number of people to come in on the night: they agreed to contact Gillian and pay later but it seems to have slipped the mind of quite a few of them, which I did not expect.
The tasting results were fascinating, with 40% liking one set of wines, and 40% some completely different ones. 10% were very choosy and only liked a couple of the 45 on offer. 10% seemed to like them all! The new Royal Wine List is a mixture of both groups with, hopefully, something to please everyone. There are some lovely wines, however most of the wines chosen are not cheap: it will be interesting to see if Members do actually buy them as they said they would!
The sailing season has well and truly started with Monday and Thursday evening racing under way and both street food and a buffet available after both.
There is a new à la Carte menu, which looks lovely and features some interesting seafood and ‘fish of the day’. Certainly the April one was a great success, especially the mussels, which were delicious and very popular. There are also some exciting new salads on this month’s menu and Chef tells me that often both quiche and jacket potatoes are available on request.
This is my last ePN article: we hope you enjoy the new weekly emails ‘Ashore Weekly’ and ‘Afloat Weekly’, which will give details of events coming up during the current week as well as future dates for your diary. Please remember that I am always interested in your feedback, positive and negative, preferably by email. Also if you are not happy with your food, please let the staff know and send me a picture if you can. If it is not right we want to fix it.
Roger Wilson, Rear Commodore House
Social
Saturday 19th May 2018: Celebrate the Royal way...
Watch Prince Harry marry his leading lady on the Club's big screen...
Tickets are now on sale for one of the hottest events of the season.
Join us to watch Prince Harry wed Ms Meghan Markle whilst dining on our luxurious luncheon menu.
Tickets are £39 per person for a three course lunch including a glass of Champagne to celebrate the happy couple. The menu will be as follows:
Smoked Salmon Pate with Cucumber Ribbons & Rye Bread
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Choice of either:
Half a Lobster
Thermidor, Mornay, or Verde style served with Hot Buttered New Potatoes & Seasonal Salad.
or
6oz 28 Day Aged Fillet SteakSeared on our grill, served with either Chunky Chips or White Truffle Dauphinoise with the Choice of either a Béarnaise, Bordelaise or Peppercorn Sauce
~
Scrumptious Strawberry Pavlova with New Forest Vanilla Ice cream
Please reserve your tickets, by clicking here or contact Reception on 01590 672677.
Coffee morning - Thursday 10th May 10am
The next all member’s coffee morning will be next Thursday 10th May. As usual there will be a representative from the Club’s Social Committee there to welcome new members. Please sign-up on the Social’s Board.
Kids High Tea
Kids High Teas are continuing monthly on a Friday - the next one is this Friday at 5pm so please do call the restaurant on 01590 671751 to book!
Gillian Poole - Clubhouse Events Manager
Cruising
Charter Cruise Canal du Midi 11 - 18 May 2019
We have now fixed the date for this cruise to start on 11 May 2019. The cruise itself will be one way starting at Le Boat’s base in Narbonne, then travelling up the Canal de la Nouvelle and Canal du Midi towards the end point at Trebes, which is just east of Carcasonne.
Travel arrangements are up to individual members, but as a guide there is a daily service with Easyjet from Gatwick to Toulouse. An easy tram connection takes you from the airport to the train station in the city and the line runs south towards the coast stopping at Carcassone and Narbonne en route.
Individuals make their own charter arrangements with Le Boat, but we have the benefit of a group discount which will be between 10% and 25%, depending upon the number of boats in the group.
Three groups have already signed up and time is running out if you wish to ensure the boat of your choice is available as this is a popular time of year for chartering.
If you wish to learn more please contact me directly.
Tony Hughes, Cruising Sub-Committee
2018 Summer Cruise
Channel Crossing to Cherbourg 1st June - update
There will be an informal dinner / briefing on Thursday 31st May at the Club. Please book yourself in for supper 7:30 pm through the first floor quoting “Cruising Table”, which will be in the Island Room. It will be a short evening to kick off the weekend as it will be an early start in the morning.
The current plan is to sail across the Channel on the 1st June assuming the weather is suitable and stay at Port Chantereyne Marina. If you sign up in advance, you will enjoy a 20% reduction on the normal berthing rates. The event is planned so we stay 2 nights at Cherbourg and, for those just making it a long weekend, to sail back on the Sunday 3rd June. Dinners will be arranged on the Friday and Saturday nights at local restaurants. Others may want to use the cruise across the Channel as the start of their Summer Cruise. For the more intrepid, the plan is for some people to head down to Vannes where there is a Moody Owners Rally on the 12/13/14 July as well as the usual Bastille Day celebrations.
On arrival at the marina at Chantereyne, we will be berthed together on J pontoon which is convenient for the office and the bars. If you are planning to participate, please sign up on the notice in the club by the 25th May 2018.
If you have any comments or preferences please let me know by email or contact me by phone on 07879 475721.
Bill Parsons, Cruising Sub-Committee
Joint Rally with Moody Owners Association at Vannes in the 14th & 15th July
If you are thinking of sailing south this summer, then think of Vannes in South Brittany. We are jointly holding a rally with the Moody Owners Association at Vannes on the 14th and 15th July and a circular will be issued shortly inviting you to register for this event. So, come along and enjoy the pageantry and fireworks as Vannes celebrate Fete Nationale. For details contact Derek Barnard or wait for the invite.
Derek Barnard, Cruising Sub-Committee
Chesapeake Bay Cruise 2019
13th to 23rd September 2019
We holding a meeting for all interested in the Club on Saturday 22nd September at 1100, when we hope to have more details
To remind anyone who missed last month’s issue: following last Autumn’s successful cruise in the Solent, when we hosted members of the Sailing Club of Chesapeake, we have received an invitation for our members to make a return visit to sail in Chesapeake Bay. We invite you to contact us as soon as possible if you are interested by email.
The Chesapeake members plan to host us on their boats. Last year’s participants will have priority. If there are more of us than they can accommodate, Members can charter their own out of Annapolis to join the cruise.
The cruise will include
- Dinner in the Annapolis Yacht Club on the 13th September
- A Hog roast on the Wye River at a member’s home
- A Cocktail party on the Corsica River
- An overnight in Rock Hall
- Two days in Baltimore
- A sail to Gibson Island to participate in team racing against
- The Gibson Island Yacht Club - “Race for the Broom” event.
- Optional day trip to Washington DC on Monday 23rd
Sue & Andrew Sutherland
Past Events
Day Cruise - Southampton Town Quay - Wednesday 18th April
The Cruising Division believed it was getting into its seasonal stride with a plan to visit Southampton Town Quay on Tuesday 17 April - a new venue to see what Southampton's most central marina offered to the modern cruiser. 18 boats signed up, short-term berths booked at the Quay, and 70-plus cruisers booked for lunch ashore. The Tuesday forecast over the week end was for light winds from S or SE....
Monday morning the organiser's phone began to ring: 'the forecast has worsened mightily, we can't possibly go in 30 kts of wind, and gust of 40!'. It was true: on the chosen day the wind rarely dropped below 30 kts at the Club platform - it would have been a horrible day's sailing, and difficult to moor up safely in a small marina.
So 18 skippers were consulted, plus the Harbour Master and the restaurant and we rescheduled for Wednesday 18th because the sailing breezes looked better, and so it proved. Five sailing cruisers made the passage in a sparkling SE breeze and a flooding tide (one single-handed in his 38-footer): a few tacks and we were in Southampton Water sailing goose-winged for the Quay. Two burly chaps to take each boat's lines, and a comfy berth for all five behind the wave barrier. A splendid standard of service and a short walk to lunch for 20 sailors.
On the way home all chose to motor down Southampton water into a fresh southerly breeze, then set sail for a quick run home on the ebb with wind and tide collaborating; a great day out for the few! Commiserations to those who couldn't come.
George Trevelyan, Cruising Sub-Committee
Fleets
XOD
The XODs are enjoying a strong start to the season with boats on moorings already reaching the double digit mark - in some cases sailors were so keen that their boats were spotted on the river some 3 weeks before the first race! Those early-birds were rewarded for their punctuality with a challenging first race of the season, but the best racing is yet to come, with ever more boats going in the water on a seemingly daily basis.
With renowned names like Rory Paton, Paul Woodman and Oliver James, Phil Brewer and of course the Jardine Twins set to duke it out with up and coming youngsters such as 20 year old Cowes Classic Week 2017 winner Max Crowe, the racing is set to be as competitive and fun as ever. Cowes Classic week and Cowes week will be in the diaries of many sailors, as will Lymington week in early July, as the division seeks to carry on the success of last year and welcome visiting XOD sailors to share the Western Solent in what should prove to be a great weeks racing.
Roll on the rest of the summer!
Roy Froud, Captain of XOD Fleet
LR Scows - Small Boats, Large Fleets, Maximum Fun
What Happened in April?
The Winter Programme drew to a close and the sailing season started during April.
Spring Back to Scowing
Seventy-six friends attended our season-launching supper on Tuesday 10th April. The food was very good and the company was excellent. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Walks
The last two walking days were blessed with fine weather. On 5th April Jonathan C ook lead us on a five mile circuit from Clay Hill carpark including a visit to an ancient Beech tree. (see picture)
On 12th April there were two Sea Wall walks; the Strollers led by John Evans and the Striders by Frances Evans. Thanks to Frances for organising our Winter Walking Programme.
Buoyancy Testing
Thanks to Dan and Meriel McCarthy, the LRSCA measurers, who came to see us on 7th April and buoyancy tested 34 Scows.
Scow Potters
Potters, led by Graham Neal, started on 19th April with hot sunshine and very gentle breeze. Thirteen boats made their way very slowly out into the Solent and back through Mystery Lake. The 26th April Potter was called off because there was a bit too much wind. On 3rd May we are planning to meet up with the Keyhaven Yacht Club so that they can guide us through the Keyhaven creeks.
Race Coaching
Led by Catherine Maguire and Sarah Richards on 17th April we practiced boat handling: tacking, gybing, slow sailing, stopping, etc. On 24th April starting was the topic of the day. On 8th May we will focus on mark rounding. These sessions have been both instructive and entertaining.
Racing
Monday Evening Dinghies started on 23rd April with 20 knots plus of SW breeze over a building ebb tide. 29 Scows started (16 Gold Fleet and 13 Silver) for a boisterous and wet start to the series.
David Weller, Captain of Scow Fleet
Juniors
RS Tera Fleet
The Tera fleet has recently had a change of coach, Hannah Snellgrove as some of you may know is undertaking her own sailing campaign and we wish her all the best. Her position has been filled by Robbie Boyd, himself an ex Tera sailor, who completed to a high level. The transition has gone smoothly with Robbie preparing the sailors for this month’s Southern Championships to be held at our club.
There will be three fleets (Regatta, Sport and Pro) making it available for sailors of all abilities and is being run alongside the Aero Open/Southern Championships. There has been a good turn out from the Tera fleet for the start of the Club racing season both on Monday nights and in the Friday night youth race. For those interested we have a list of all training events on the Club website as well as local open competitions.
Nicola West, Captain of RS Teras
Junior Regatta
We are delighted to say that Joules, Lymington Harbour Commission, Lymington Yacht Haven and Walhampton School are once again actively involved in supporting the Junior Regatta.
But …..We can’t do this without you
This year’s Junior Regatta is only three months away and we are now actively looking for volunteers to come and help both on the water and on shore. In particular we are keen to have sailing parents particularly mum sand grandparents to help with tallies, put some time in at the regatta office and help boost young sailors’ confidence rigging their dinghies. We need almost 120 volunteers to run this flagship event and we want new parents to the regatta to come and get involved.
There are plenty of on the water jobs but if you prefer to be on land and can spare a few hours please email me to help on the social side of the regatta - from manning the sweetshop, making sandwiches for volunteer lunches or baking cakes for prize giving tea. We make everyone welcome and it’s a great way to meet new friends. 8.00 am sandwich making is an hour of fun and laughter.
Shireen Crowe
Volunteers
Race Team
There are lots of opportunities coming up for budding Race Team members, help is always welcomed by Event Coordinators as gaps appear in rosters as Members are called away to other commitments.
If you are able to help please contact the individual Event Coordinators: Monday Evening Dinghies Ann Brunskill , XOD and Folkboat Judy McConnell and Friday Evening Junior Racing Steve Green.
There are also a few gaps in the rosters for the RS Tera and RS Aero Southern Areas taking place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of May . If you have a few hours to spare to help either on the slipway or on the water please contact Vicky in the office.
Wednesday Junior Sailing has now started and would welcome new helpers both on and off the water.
Jane Corden
TRAINING
Places still available!
Youth RYA Stage 1 Course
31st May & 1st June
Youth RYA Stage 2 Course
2nd & 3rd June
Places still available!
£110 Members
£150 Non Members
Vicky Leen, Sailing Manager
Activities
Wheelies - Next Meets
Readers will recall that Wheelies has moved to a weekly rhythm this season, with some success. If you value cycling as a form of exercise, it makes sense to go out more than once a fortnight.
Following the same line of thought, we are now meeting on summer Fridays as well as winter. Our first three April outings from the Clubhouse at 11.00 have attracted nine, eight and four riders - a threat of rain affected the last. The experiment continues: as before, contact a regular rider ( e.g. William Newton, Michael Coombes, Andrew Sutherland, Tim Harford, Martyn Kemp, Peter Bell, Peter Lowe, Kate Thornton, Jenny and Roger Garlick, Colin Lillywhite, Roger Wilson, George and Julia Trevelyan) and we will hope to talk you into joining us. Electric bikes are welcome.
George Trevelyan
RNLI
Sunday 13th May - The 17th Annual Lymington Lifeboat 10K and Children's Fun Run.
For 2018 the event will again include last year’s popular under 5 years run thus enabling all the family to participate. The 10K is open for entrants from 15 upwards and the Children’s Run age groups are 0 – 5 years, 5 – 8 years, 9 – 11 years and 12 – 15 years, allowing 15 year olds to either compete at 2K for the Inter-school team shield or at 10K.
Enter now at: www.lymingtonlifeboat.co.uk or www.frsystems.co.uk/lymington10k for all events that will take place on Sunday 13 May 2018 at the Woodside Park venue commencing at 10:00 am.
If you are not a runner then please still put Sunday 13th May 2018 in your diary to come and support the participants either in the park or on the route. Anyone who would like to help with the event on the day should contact Richard Clarke by email.
Hog Roast - Saturday 14th July at St Leonard’s Grange, Beaulieu 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm with Beaulieu Band
Tickets from Ann Brunskill or Chris Knox £20 (adults) £10 (children 4 – 12)
Club Sponsors & Discounts
Click on the link for details of our sponsors and discounts available.
For Sale
White EXCEL SD 260 Inflatable Dinghy for Sale
Inflatable floor and keel
Lifting wheels fitted
Will take up to 8 H.P. outboard
New July 2013 but used only twice.
Cost new £729, offers around £400.
Contact Roger Garlick on 01590 641044
Club Ensigns
One slightly used Club defaced ensign but still in good condition - price new £87.60, yours for £30. Contact David Brunskill
Yacht Cradle
Contact Richard Martin on 07877653545
Email me the details and any photos and the ad will be in one month’s ePotterNews. If you don’t want your contact details published, interested parties can be asked to contact you via the Club pigeon holes in Reception. Satisfied customers will be requested to make a small donation to Sailability or the RNLI. The listing of items for sale or wanted in ePotterNews does not indicate that RLymYC has knowledge of the authenticity of the advertisement and does not recommend or guarantee the items advertised and the Club cannot accept any liability in this regard.