Archived News Items 2008 updated
Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive.
The 3rd Cheats Christmas Lunch & Family Games Tournament on Sunday 14 December was the best we have had; there were 11 youngsters and 30 adults. Nigel Knowles, helped by Linda & Rodger Wheeler, Tony Hopkins, Stuart Schafer, Helen & Don Barnet, and Pat Irving, provided a super 3 course lunch. 
The youngsters provided the waiter service and the team leaders for the Family Games that followed; these were organised by Hannah Lunniss. Story
On Sunday 14 December there will be a Cheats Christmas Lunch & Family Games Tournament. Lunch must be booked in advance either by emailing Nigel Knowles
or signing up on the notice board at the Club by Wed. 10 Dec. at the latest. Details (5kb PDF). 
Serving at the 2007 Xmas lunch.
8Dec08 We haven’t been able to sail since the end of season and organised Sunday Activities will not continue, except that once a month we will have a lunch followed by activities targeted at family members.
About 40 members were at the AGM, Prize Giving and End of Season Party on 6 December. Tony Hopkins replaces Nigel Knowles as our Commodore. Michael Chipps joins the Management Committee. The proposed increase in fees was approved.
On Saturday 6 December the AGM, Prize giving and End of Season Party will start at 7:30pm for 8pm. This is our most important meeting of the year where the future administration of the club is discussed. Details.
On Friday 21 November at 8pm you can enjoy Pat Halling playing the world première of Tony Kinsey’s String Quartet No. 1 with the Quartet Pro Musica and members of The Virtuoso Ensemble Of London at the Riverside Arts Centre, 59 Thames Street, Lower Sunbury. Tickets are £10 from 01932 770325 or at the door. Details
On Saturday 15 November there is the Annual Dinner at the Club. Details, Menu and Booking form (PDF), members who receive newsletters by email will need this booking form.
9Nov08 Sunday Activities Extended. Although Sunday 9 November is the last sailing day in 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.
On Saturday 8 November 36 members and friends visited the great Fire Works display at Kempton Park; we were very lucky that the rain held off until the end. Thanks go to Richard Cannon for organising the reduced price tickets, Diana & Peter Carpenter for preparing soup, bread and cheese to warm us up back at Aquarius, and to Eiko and Graham Thomson for helping with the serving. It was the largest number we have had go to this annual event.
On Saturday 8 November 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 £5.50 or £8 on the night. Alternatively Richard Cannon can also obtain advance tickets from a local shop, ring 01932 786636 by Wednesday 5 November. Meet and park at Richard's house, 77 Saxonbury Avenue, Lower Sunbury, by 7:00pm for a short stroll to Kempton Park, Map.
23 Oct The Autumn Newsletter PDF (0.5mb) and the Annual Dinner menu & booking form are on line. All newsletters back to 1995 are in a ring binder on the bookshelf in the clubhouse, and back to 1999 are on the web site.
On Saturday 11 October at 7:30pm for 8pm Aquarius Sailing Club Presents Pat Halling's 'Hungarian Gypsy Evening' with a hot Gypsy Supper during the interval. Tickets from Diana Carpenter on a first come first served basis. Please send Cheque's, payable to Aquarius Sailing Club, to: Diana Carpenter, 11 Chestnut Avenue, EWELL, Surrey, KT19 0SY specifying any dietary requirements (e.g vegetarian, no spices etc) Tel: 020 8393 8029.Price up to 8 October £6.00 (children £4:00), From 9 October onwards £8:00
On Saturday 4 October around 27 members made a big impression on the club at at a working party. We were very lucky the forecast rain didn’t materialise. Unfortunately wasps made a big impression on Nigel Knowles when he disturbed a wasp nest on the bank; he was stung many times. Many thanks to Joan and George Bray for the lunch of Lasagne, Macaroni Cheese and Chicken a la King followed by apple crumble and ice cream.
On the weekend of 4 and 5 October John Neale with Tony Hopkins and Frank Rainsborough with a QMSC mate sailed in the Open Bosun Dinghy Regatta at the Royal Navy Sailing Centre, Whale Island, Portsmouth. It was very windy, 25-
On the weekend of 4 and 5 October some Aquarius members are supporting an additional away event; the Open Bosun Dinghy Regatta at the Royal Navy Sailing Centre, Portsmouth. The boats are provided, the entry fee is £35 with 4 races Saturday and 2 races Sunday, closing date for entries is 10 September. Tony Hopkins (020 8847 0170) is coordinating this event so please contact him if you are interested. For details see http://www.bosunopen.org.uk/.
On Thursday 18 September, between 10am and noon, the Environment Agency will place a boom across the river as part of a training exercise in responding to a major incident. No boats will be allowed between the head of Platt’s Eyott and Sunbury Lock during the exercise.
On Saturday 13 September the Pico rigged on Richmond Green at a Free community festival generated a lot of interest and kept Mike Baker and George Bray very busy. They hope to have attracted a number of new members.
In the evening Mike also presented a very successful General Knowledge Quiz at the the Club, attended by over 40 members and friends, with a fish and chips supper in the interval.
The quiz winning team -
During the day there is an additional event where Aquarius will have a racing dinghy exhibited at the FREE community festival Details on Richmond Green as part of the EU In Town Without My Car’ initiative; come and see us.
The visit to Bewl Valley Sailing Club on Monday 25 August had excellent support. 21 members took 7 boats and had super sailing in a shifty and gusty force 3 to 4 gust 5 SW wind. It was very challenging for some and there were a number of capsizes. On the way home 15 stopped at the Grasshopper for dinner.
On Monday 25 August there is a visit to Bewl Valley
Sailing Club. This year there is Family sailing and cruising instead of regatta racing. Last year this was unexpected but we had a superb time. It will be an excellent opportunity for members to experience a relaxed day sailing on a large expanse of open water. You don’t need to have a boat to bring and it should be a super experience for new members. If you think you may come it is important to ring Richard on 01932 786636 to help plan boats required and to obtain an entry pass. General Bewl details.
At AQSC on the previous day, Sunday 24 August, there will be training for new members and fun sailing. Please support our new members.
On Saturday 16 August there will be a BYO BBQ from 7:00 pm followed by a trip to the Sunbury Regatta illuminated sail past and fireworks leaving at 8:30 pm in the patrol boat (Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis by signing up at the Bar). Bring Your Own supper to cook or purchase burgers, sausages etc from the Bar.
From 4 to 8 August Aquarius members can enter the Family Race Week at Chichester YC; some members will be sailing in the SigneT National Championships that is within Family Week.
Members can also visit and cruise on Sunday 3 although temporary membership is costly compared to family week; there may be a reduction (free) as a member of AQSC so bring your membership card although Richard will take a membership list. Please let Rodger Wheeler (020 8979 7254) or Richard Cannon know if you expect to be going by ringing 01932 786636 or by email using the link in the header. Latest Details (70kb PDF), details from Spring Newsletter.
On 19 July there will be Skittles at Grantley Arms, Wonersh with Lyn Baker's Badmington Club.
Booking with Mike Baker ( 020 8393 5495) by 16 July essential. Booking details and menu.
On Wednesday 16 July there will be a Mid Summer Madness ! Twilight Cruise.
Take advantage of the long summer evenings and the (near) full moon to join us for a cruise up the river to The Magpie at Sunbury.
On arrival at The Magpie we will moor up (you will need fenders) and spend an hour or so there, giving time to buy supper etc. for those who want to.
Boats will leave the club at 18:30 accompanied by the two patrol boats. For anyone who doesn’t want to sail, seats will be available on the patrol boats on a first come basis by signing up at the club or by replying to this email.
Alternatively join us at The Magpie from 19:30
The Annual Aquarius Regatta will be held on Saturday 28h June and Sunday 29th June. Details.
On the Saturday evening at 7p.m. (note time) we are having a Greek Night with Greek Food, Music & Dancing suitable for families and adults alike. Poster
We are hoping for a hot summer evening and will be serving food from 7.15p.m. so come early.
Just in case of bad weather, the large gazebo will be at hand.
Advance tickets £5 Adult or £4 under 16, if booked and paid for by Wednesday 25th June. From 26th June all tickets £7.50.
Please send your cheque as soon as possible to Diana Carpenter, 11 Chestnut Avenue, Ewell, Surrey, KT19 0SY or bring it along to the club this Sunday (15th June). You will be given your tickets on the night.
The Hampton SC regatta is on Sat 21 and Sun 22 June. AQSC members are invited and there is no organised racing at AQSC on Sunday. Details.
4 June Strong current warning. Yesterday Sunbury had 22mm of rain and the current at AQSC is 6 knts; it is considered dangerous to go afloat.
The visit to Bewl Valley Sailing Club on Monday 26 May has been CANCELLED due to a forecast of 20 to 30 mph wind. I am sorry to disappoint members but it was considered preferable to cancel as there seemed a high probability of not being able to sail.
On 26 May the the weather at Bewl was foul, no boats out, and a maximum gust of 40knts; we were wise to cancel the visit.
On Monday 26 May there is a visit to Bewl Valley Sailing Club. This year there is Family sailing and cruising instead of regatta racing. Last year this was unexpected but we had a superb time. It will be an excellent opportunity for members to experience a relaxed day sailing on a large expanse of open water. You don’t need to have a boat to bring and it should be a super experience for new members. If you think you may come please ring Richard on 01932 786636. General Bewl details.
At AQSC on the previous day, Sunday 25 May, there will be training for new members and fun sailing. Please support our new members.
On Saturday 10 May the weather was gorgeous for the open day; there wasn’t much wind for sailing but it was perfect for the BBQ in the evening attended by over 40 members and friends. It was equally gorgeous on Sunday. The East 8 to 15knt wind was perfect for taking visitors sailing and we were extremely busy; a boat was still sailing at 7:30pm. Over the week end there were around 31 groups with a total of 65 visitors; 4 joined. One of the best Open Weekends we have had.
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, 10:30 to 17:00, everybody is invited to the Aquarius Sailing Club Open Weekend to have a look at the club and experience FREE sailing in a dinghy or cruiser. Details poster (PDF file 28kb). Club details.
Following the Open Day on Saturday there will be a BYO BBQ from 7pm. Bring Your Own supper to cook or purchase burgers, sausages etc from the bar. Friends welcome.
On Sunday 27 April, the Eastern Orthodox Easter, races for Easter Egg Trophies will be held concurrent with the normal series races. Best two of three races to count.
On Saturday 26 April there was a record turn out of 32 members for the Working Party and the weather couldn’t have been better. Many tasks were completed including all the front of the clubhouse being treated with preservative.
On Saturday 26 April there will be a Working Party from 10:30 am onwards. Lunch will be provided. Bring old clothes, gloves, gardening gear etc.
On Saturday 19 April (NOT 28 April) AQSC will be competing for the Mid Thames Trophy, inter club and fun event, at Hampton SC. We are allowed to have up to 10 starters so it is open to every one. Even if someone only does one race if they are in the top 4 Aquarius boats for that race they will have helped the club. Any members wishing to take part should contact Richard Cannon on 01932 786636. The first race is at 11 a.m. and the AQSC rescue boat will leave at 10 a.m. Details, Notice Of Race (NOR) (PDF file 10kb).
The Club windows are being replaced with PCV units but unfortunately our contractors (Bodgit and Sons Glazing Division) are behind schedule and can’t guarantee restoring the club to a state suitable for a social event by Saturday 12 April 2008 without working over 24 hours a day.
The Indoor Olympics have been POSTPONED and will not take place on Saturday 12 April 2008.
The clubhouse on Wednesday 9 April
The new PVC frames have been fitted but not the glass
On Saturday 12 April there will be Indoor Olympics at 7:30pm including tiddly-
26 March The Spring Newsletter PDF is on line. All newsletters back to 1995 are in a ring binder on the bookshelf in the clubhouse, and back to 1999 are on the web site.
Easter Sunday 23 March (the earliest it can be is 22 March) was bitterly cold with snow and there was a strong current current making racing impossible; the Easter Egg Trophy races were cancelled. We plan to hold them concurrent with the series races on 27 April; the Eastern Orthodox Easter.
On Sunday 23 March the 2008 season racing starts with races for the Easter Egg Trophy. There will be 4 races so you should be ready to start at 11:30.
The party to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the formation of the Club, on Saturday 15 March, was very successful with 79 members and guests attending. Seven commodores, past and present, each gave a 2 minute recollection of their days as commodore. John Botterill gave everyone an excellent booklet on “A brief History of the Club 1948 to 2008” that he wrote for the occasion and it is on the website as a PDF document (2mb, Acrobat required).
Commodores and partners
Picture by Frank Rainsborough
On 17 February there will be a “Ladies day”. Departing from our usual format, this will be a Sunday lunch when the Gentlemen of the Club will entertain their Ladies to a Thai lunch served in the fine dining ambience of the Clubhouse. All Ladies and other members are invited. Advance booking is ESSENTIAL, details.
8Mar08 The sailing and social program for 2008 is online.
Although 17 February started very cold it turned out warm and fine for “Ladies day”; unusually for February it was very comfortable sitting out on the Quarter-
On 10 February the weather was ideal for the frostbite cruise/scavenger hunt; although there wasn’t much frostbite about it as it was sunny and extremely warm for February, story.
Jean and Richard, picture by Mike Hendra.
On 10 February there will be a Lunch and frostbite cruise/scavenger hunt. Note swapped with Ladies day due to error. Lunch MUST be booked, details.
On Sunday 13 January 2008 Gordon & Joan Courtney, and Liz Archer provided a great 4 course lunch for 25 members. At very short notice, due to illness, Pat Halling helped Richard Cannon present the procedures introduced by the RYA Charter to encourage enforcement of the Racing Rules of Sailing in a friendly manner followed by a lively discussion on the rules. Details (PDF file)
The first Sunday of 2008 was fine with some current and not much wind. Bryan Clements and Pat Halling had a sail, and Graham Thompson rowed Eiko up to the Weir Hotel.