Commodore Musings May 2017

Published 17:00 on 23 May 2017

Dear Members,

It has been a long while since I last wrote to you, work has been rather busy and therefore these notes have just dropped down the priority list for which I apologise.

Firstly, I hope that you will all joining me in wishing Brian H a speedy recovery. Brian recently had a fall travelling in London and broke his hip. We understand that once he is recovered he is keen to get down to the club, but recognise that this could take some time.

On a more positive note congratulations to Julie Cocker who gave birth on 13 May to a baby boy 7lb 4oz. All are well, and we can't wait to get a glimpse who knows he might even make a guest appearance at Bourne End week.

Bourne End Week starts this weekend and some Raters have already made the trip. There were 5 Raters on the water for the Vagabond cup, Adventurer taking the honours with Simon Blake at the helm. I believe that the estimated entry is 14 boats so the start lines should be cosy!! All Rater teams should ready the SIs carefully there are some particular points to note regarding to going on the race area and mooring.

The Spring Tuesday Averages come to close this week, these have been fiercely fought affairs with both Raters and Merlins having some close racing in variable conditions. It has been great to see the boats out on the water early in the season and when all return from Bourne End we should be looking to have 9 Raters regularly competing and a similar number of Merlins.

Training and Youth Training has moved on a step this year with a number of courses competed and the start of a series of youth Summer Term Sundays. In the Summer there are a number of week-long courses planned. These tend to be popular so please book the places through the club website you need early to avoid disappointment.

Thanks to Justin the Cocktail party was a great success and I would encourage you all to take advantage of our great Summer Party on 24th June. We have a live band and great food organised so please come and support your club bring friends and family, the more the merrier. Tickets on sale behind the bar.

The Yacht Club l'Isle de France has invited TSC to join them in a regatta on the Seine in early June (9-11). A number of Raters and other TSC boats will be joining the fun and drinking of wine as well as some interesting racing. It will be intriguing how a Rater will compete against a star on a river.

There remain a rather large number of important posts unfilled these include: Secretary, Principal Training Officer and Rear Commodore Social. I have been calling in favours of individuals, most notably Malcolm Clements, to just help keep things moving but this is unsustainable. Please come forward and tell me what you can do to help as many hands make light work. So, please speak to Matt, Malcolm or myself.

Miles Palmer

Commodore