Thames Sailing Club
Rater AGM Report 2008
Rater AGM Report 2008
RATER ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Annual General Meeting held at Thames Sailing Club
at 1500 on 16th November 2008
Present :-
Paul Armitage (Rater Captain) Chairman
Justin Dunn (Rater Vice Captain)
Philip Berridge (Rater Secretary)
Stuart Gurney (Rater Treasurer)
Brian Reed (Rater Representative)
Kevin Pearson (Measurer)
Paul Browning (Measurer)
David Frost (Measurer)
Nick Fribbens, Alastair MacDonald
Sally Reed, Ted Cocker
Nick Hoskins, Tony Western
Karen Armitage, Susie Scotcher
Ian Pratt, Chris Martin
1. Apologies for absence:-
Martin Grounds, Brian Hepburn, Philip Spreadborough, Bess Rhodes, Andy Christie,
Mel Hardman, David Flower, Graham Bartholomew.
2. Minutes of last meeting :-
Approved nem con.
3. Matters Arising:-
Kevin Pearson asked what progress had been made on the promised improvements to
the rater section of the web site. Rater Captain reported that no progress had been
made and undertook to liaise with Mel Hardman to solve the problem.
Action Rater Captain
4. Rater Captain’s Report:-
A very interesting year although not as smooth as expected. This was due to friction
on the water resulting from competitiveness taken to extremes. Rater Captain pointed
out that helms should consider the overall fleet spirit when racing and called for
improvement next year.
Social events organised during the year were successful.
Rater Captain advised that he would be happy to be nominated for the post for next
year but pointed out that he would be away a great deal from July, with occasional
availability.
5. Treasurer’s report:-
Accounts were tabled showing an overall loss for the financial year of £378 and a
balance of £2936.91 at 15th October to which should be added c£220 profit from the
rater lunch.
A loss of £229.68 was made on the Queens Cup Supper, subject to a possible
review downwards, pending resolution of a potential refund to UTSC.
Treasurer drew attention to expenditure on a new trolley, prizes for Bourne end week
and diesel for Cora.
Treasurer advised that the levy had not been paid by three boats and asked for the
meetings views on how these should by chased and if sanctions would be appropriate.
This led to a lively discussion. Nick Fribbens pointed out that all class associations
require a financial contribution in some form or other and Kevin Pearson felt that the
levy was in effect the class membership fee.
David Frost was of the opinion that the levy is a good way of tying in outlying
owners and there was general agreement that payment of the levy was required before
validation of the certificate.
It was then agreed that the treasurer should be authorised to collect an annual levy on
the basis of £55 for all boats sailing on the Thames at any time during the year and £25
for others. This was proposed by Nick Fribbens, seconded by Chris Martin and carried
nem con.
Nick Fribbens then proposed a vote of thanks to the treasurer, seconded by Chris
Martin which was carried by acclaim.
Action Treasurer
6. Election of Officers:-
The following nominations were put forward:-
Rater Captain Paul Armitage
proposed by Justin Dunn
seconded by Tony Western
Rater Vice Captain Justin Dunn
proposed by Paul Armitage
seconded by Paul Browning
Treasurer Stuart Gurney
proposed by Paul Browning
seconded by Nick Fribbens
Secretary Graham Bartholomew
proposed by Philip Berridge
seconded by Paul Browning
Rater Representative Brian Reed
proposed by Paul Armitage
seconded by Tony Western
Measurers Kevin Pearson
Paul browning
David Frost
Mark Ampleford
proposed by Justin Dunn
seconded by Brian Reed
All nominations were approved nem con
Justin Dunn proposed a vote of thanks to Philip Berridge for all the years (19) of
dedication and hard work, seconded by Rater Captain and carried with acclaim.
7. Any other business:-
Rater Captain put forward the following proposals from Andy Christie, in absentia:-
1. That the Rater Captain should be empowered to organise an autumn series of races on
open water at Datchet sailing club.
In discussion the general feeling was that it would tend to weaken rather than support
sailing at TSC, which would defeat the object. Various other points included potential
loss of bar takings, possible damage to wooden boats and preference for one weekend,
not a series. Kevin Pearson recalled that there was at one time an after season series at
Hampton SC. Rater Captain’s preference was for Hampton.
There was ultimately general agreement that there was potential support for an after
season series at either Datchet or Hampton. Rater Captain will do further research on
the idea and report at the spring meeting. TSC sailing secretary had ensured that
Hampton Regatta date is clear in the TSC diary should TSC boats wish to attend.
Action Rater Captain
2. That the Association should after the first Tamesis weekend, move to Datchet Sailing
Club to sail the Braganca Bowl and the Dennis Peters Trophy.
There was no support for such a move in the middle of the season. It was felt that it
would have a destructive effect on the sailing programme and also that the Dennis
Peters Trophy, being in memorium for our late President should always be sailed
at TSC.
Rater Captain advised that in conjunction with renewal of the sailshed electrics it was
proposed to install 110 volt standing lights. Tony Western said that this was for safety
reasons although Justin Dunn felt that the lights would be abused and not maintained.
Some members felt that the association should make a contribution to the cost but Ian
Pratt believed that it should be a TSC expense.
It was agreed that the General Committee of TSC should be asked to consider the best
type of lighting.
Action Rater Captain
David Frost asked for clarification on the proposed widening of the Club Gates.
Rater Captain reported that there is no further progress and that this is now subsumed
into a general review of Club superstructure. Alastair MacDonald suggested that this
work should be a separate issue and should proceed immediately. This received general
support and it was agreed that the General Committee of TSC should be asked to
expedite the work. The previously agreed contribution of £500 from the association
was reconfirmed by the meeting.
Action Rater Captain
Kevin Pearson gave details of a letter received from Hugh Welbourne including plans
of the original lines of Scamp, modified by templates of the boat as she is now.
These lines are intended to form the basis of the new build and the letter requested
comments from Kevin ,who threw the question open to the meeting, also pointing
out that the construction would be based on a machined plug which would be very
accurate.
The Secretary advised that the original letter to Jock Wishart of 29th January 2000, in
which the Association was content with the proposed new build subject to provisos
on tolerances, was re-affirmed at the AGM of 2006, subject to measurers approval
of the latest proposals.
Various comments were made, particularly in respect of the tolerances which some
members felt should be tightened in view of the changed construction method .
However since the Association has entrusted the certification of the boat as a rater to
the measurers, the meeting accepted that the process should continue, in the knowledge
that the measurers are fully aware of members views.
The question of the new boat’s potential performance was raised and it was agreed that
this would not be a problem since it would be subject to handicapping.
David Frost suggested that copies of the lines used and construction details should be
obtained for the Association files.
Rater Captain advised that the format for the Dennis Peters Trophy next year would be
discussed at the spring meeting and asked members to give the matter some thought
before then. Nick Fribbens commented favourably on the short courses used for the
event this year.
A
lastair MacDonald suggested that thought be given to raising the profile of the rater
fleet.
8. Date of next meeting – 5th April 2009
The meeting closed at 1703
Page last updated: 01/12/2008 20:34:04
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