Archived News Items 2006 updated 1Apr07
Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive.
Sad News
Leon Walkden died on Boxing Day after a short illness and his funeral was at St Augustine's Church on 11 January.
Any donations in Leon’s memory should go to CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). Graham Thompson will coordinate donations from AQSC members.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Joan and the family.
Leon was the team doctor for the England Rugby Football Union for many years and there is a tribute to him on their web site.
On Sunday 17 December the Cheats Christmas lunch, masterminded and prepared by Nigel Knowles, was a great success. 26 adults and 10 youngsters enjoyed a 4 course lunch followed by a games tournament of bar billiards, darts and table tennis. The day finished with tea and cakes. More
Sun 17 Dec Cheats Christmas lunch Details (PDF)
3 course lunch & bar billiards/games tournament.
12 for 12:30pm, £4/adults, £2.50/child. MUST be booked with Nigel Knowles by Wed 13Dec by email
Once a month we will have a lunch followed by activities targeted at family members.
The November weather has been extremely good, there has been hardly any current, and there has been very good support.
Although Sunday 12 November was the last sailing day on the programme, activities at the club on Sundays will continue.
The activity will be dependent on conditions with sailing; training and fun racing taking priority. Racing will be included in the Fun series with a race at 12:00 and another at 14:00 after which there will be the usual tea and cakes.
If sailing isn't possible there will be other activities such as Patrol boat practice, knots, racing rules, games or anything else that is appropriate.
Over 50 members attended the AGM, prize giving and End of Season Party on Sunday 3 December. There was no change to the Officers. Thanks for their service to Charles Dennis and Stuart Schafer who leave the Management Committee, and welcome to Leo Bond, Cath Bridger and Simon Lunniss who join it. The sailing report, race results, prize details and other documents are on line.
On Sunday 3 December the AGM, Prize giving and End of Season Party will start at 5:30pm (NOTE change of date and time). This is our most important meeting of the year where the future administration of the club is discussed. Details
On Saturday 2 December Mick Rogers thought he was going to the AQSC AGM but found he was at a surprise 65th birthday party for him.
Are your boats securely tied down? The season of high winds has started. On Saturday night two trees in the car park blew down; thanks to Bryan Clements and others for moving them to give room for the AGM car parking.
The 19 November was the first Sunday of the extended season and although there was a strong current it was a very enjoyable and productive day. The wind was a fairly steady SW force 1-
The Annual Dinner on 18 November was a great success with 48 members and guests filling the club house to capacity.
On Sat 18 November there will be the AQSC Annual Dinner by ticket only; the menu and ticket order form was included with the Autumn newsletter and should be returned by 10 November.
Environment Agency registration fees will increase by 12% each year from 2007-
The weekend 4-
On Sat 4 Nov there will be a working party at the club from 10:30am. There are a variety of things to be done both internally and externally. I Suggest that you bring gloves, wellies and garden tools if you have them. A hot lunch will be provided.
In the evening there will be a visit to Fire Works at Kempton Park, the largest display in Greater London, then soup & victuals at the Club. Tickets in advance from http://www.kemptonfireworks.org.uk/ up to 1 Nov are £5 or £7.50 on the night. Alternatively Richard Cannon can also obtain advance tickets from a local shop, ring 01932 786636 by 2 November. Meet & park at Richard's house, 77 Saxonbury Avenue, Lower Sunbury, by 7:00pm for a short stroll to Kempton Park, Map.
27Oct06 The Autumn newsletter is online. The newsletters for 2005 and 2006 are also available as PDF files giving the same format as the paper copy.
On Sat 14 October 30 members and guests had a brilliant Indian quiz by Mike Baker, and buffet obtained from the Riverside Indian Restaurant at Hampton; we even made a surplus due to their excellent price.
On Sat 14 Oct there will be a Quiz Evening with an India and Indians theme compared by Mike Baker.
An Indian take away buffet will be ordered shortly after 7:30pm
Cost: £5.00 (Adults) £3.00 (Children) including buffet.
If you enjoyed the Chinese quiz here's your chance to get confused all over again.
Mike (Vindaloo) Baker
On Saturday 02 September 43 members and guest enjoyed a highly successful charity dinner with wine tasting and entertainment by Pat on violin and Michael on piano in support of the Homerus disabled sailing project. The Guests included Frank Rainsborough, a past commodore of Queen Mary SC, and Manuel Bonomo -
On Sat 02 September there will be a 4 course meal with Wine in support of the Homerus disabled sailing project. Details and Booking Slip (PDF document). All the spaces for the dinner are now allocated and those with tickets are reminded that the wine tasting will start at 7.45 prompt. It will be introduced by Manuel Buonomo -
There was an error in the AQSC programme; the Signet Open Meeting at Littleton is on Sunday 3Sep06 NOT 27Aug The webmaster’s e-
On Mon 28 Aug the visit to the Bewl Autumn Regatta was extremely successful with 5 AQSC boats and 15 members having a superb time. More
On Mon 28 August there is an away day to the Bewl Valley SC Autumn Regatta with Pursuit racing starting around 11:00. If you may come to Bewl please ring Richard on 01932 786636. More.
2Aug06 The Summer newsletter is online.
On Sat 22 July there is Skittles and dinner at Grantley Arms, Wonersh with Lyn Baker’s Badminton Club; booking with Mike Baker essential. Booking Form (PDF 20kb)
On Sat and Sun 24-
There should be starts for Enterprise, GP14, Merlin, Lasers, and Handicap classes. There will be 2 races on Saturday with the first start at 11:00, there will be 3 races on Sunday with the first start at 10:30.
The patrol boat will be leaving AQSC at 10:00 on Saturday so anyone wishing to go with it MUST be rigged and ready to go by then. It may leave earlier on Sunday depending on expected start times of the classes we will be joining.
On Sat 17 June the annual AQSC jazz night had perfect weather, hot and fine, excellent food and Jazz Band. There was a very good attendance of 70 members and friends. The wind was very light, variable, and patchy for the Regatta on Saturday and Sunday making for rather frustrating sailing. There was good support, especially from recent new members from the open days and the light wind meant they could helm; we had more Ladies and Novices taking part than for a long time. More
On Sat 17 June there is the annual AQSC jazz night and BBQ. Advance tickets paid for by the 14 June £6 or £8 at the door. Details. Booking form as PDF document (176kb) or (no clip art 12kb). Don’t miss this event and how about bringing friends. Also AQSC Regatta 17 and 18 June. Details.
Bewl visit on Mon 29 May. The first race started in a light wind then a violent squall occurred half way through. Exhilarating at first then scary for Nigel Knowles (laser) and Bryan Clements (Topper). Capsized boats were scattered all around the course and only 7 boats finished out of the 23 starters. More
On Sun 28 and Mon 29 May there will be a visit to the Bewl Valley SC Spring Regatta; unfortunately camping is not available at the club this year
The AQSC Open Weekend on 6 and 7 May had poor sailing weather except for a short time on Saturday. Most of the time there was almost no wind and Saturday was very wet in the afternoon. Sunday also had almost no wind although it remained dry until the boats had been put away. In spite of this Members were kept very busy by a record number of visitors; 28 groups totaling 67 people. More
There is an Open Weekend at Aquarius Sailing Club on 6 & 7 May from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Have you ever fancied trying sailing?
Here is your chance. Visit us and have a tea or coffee and then go afloat with an experienced helm in a sailing dinghy.
It’s all free.
AQSC is located on the North bank of the Thames off the Lower Sunbury Road at Hampton, 1 mile upstream of Hampton Court. Directions, the entrance to the club is at the Sunnyside Reservoir and the Club is at the red circle on Multimap.
More club information, or phone the Secretary Joan Bray on 020 8337 9000 or E-
On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May everybody is invited to the AQSC Open Weekend to have a look at the club and experience FREE sailing in a dinghy or cruiser.
On Saturday 29 April the Mid-
On Saturday 22 April 20 members had a great time tackling the fiendish Quiz questions set by George Bray. The Fish & Chips in the interval were excellent. More
On Saturday 8 April 13 members had an excellent lunch at the Rose & Crown. Three members had an interesting visit to the Kew Steam Museum and the weather was perfect for the rest to look around Kew Gardens. More
On Saturday 8 April there is a visit to Kew Gardens and/or Kew Steam Museum; meeting for lunch at 12:00 . Note there is no train service that day. Details and for more information ring Nigel Knowles on 020 8399 9266
The first racing of the new season on 26Mar06 was much better than expected from the very wet weather forecast. There was a good sail in a West to South force 2 to 4 wind; there was a light drizzle during the last race. More
On Sunday 26 March we start the new season sailing; come and give us a turn out to match what we have been getting to the social events.
Also at 8pm on Saturday 25 March there is another opportunity to see Pat Hallling and Quartet Pro Musica perform at the Walton Riverhouse Barn. Tickets £10 (£8) from the Box Office 01932 253354
On Sat 18Mar06 there is a special, not to be missed, Start of Season party with Pat Halling's Le Sextet de l'Hot Club d'Aquarius performing at the Café Rialto su Tamesis (AQSC) details.
There was a great turnout of 20 members on Sat 11Mar06 for the pre-
The Sailing Program and Duty Roster for 2006, and the Spring 2006 newsletter are on line.
Mascheranda on 11 Feb was an absolutely fantastic evening with a fabulous dinner and entertainment. More
On 11Feb06 at 7:p.m. for 7:30. The Gondolieri of Aquarius invite the Ladies to MASHERANDA in the style of a Venetian Masked Ball. Dinner, Dance, Entertainment , and perhaps some modest Debauchery!
Booking with Rodger Wheeler essential.
On Sunday 22Jan06 there will be a lunch (Booking Essential) and a Frostbite cruise. Details