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Archived News Items 2012 updated 29Mar2013

Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive.



On 16 December around 45 members and guests had a super Cheats Xmas lunch; only 41 had booked!!

On Sunday 16 December the Cheats Christmas Lunch is at 12:30. MUST be booked in advance by Wednesday 12 December by email to or sign up on the booking form at the club; details

09 December The Sailing Report and Trophy winners and updated Trophy list for 2012 is on line. Full details for every race, including race times and corrected lap times in seconds, are in Entries All Races inc time.

On Saturday 8 December the AGM, Prize giving and End of Season Party will start at 8pm. This is our most important meeting of the year where the future administration of the club is discussed.   

01 December The Autumn Newsletter PDF is on line.

On Saturday 1 December - 10:30am to 4:00pm there will be a Working Party with Lunch provided. The principal task is to cut back and dispose of the overhanging bushes and trees which are encroaching on the boat berths. Also tidying up the drive, trailer park and site in general – Bring Gloves and gardening tools.

On Saturday 24 November at 7:30pm there is the Annual Dinner, Details, Booking form.

On Thursday 8 November there is a Management Committee meeting at 8pm.

On Wednesday 31 October there will a spooky night at the club as suggested by some ladies last Sunday. It was suggested that the ladies come as glamorous  ghouls. Perhaps we could have a good ghost story reading. With enough interest Jean Hendra and Joan Courtney could rustle up some soup or snacks. Would anyone who is interested in participating please let Mike Hendra, 020 8337 1568, know ASAP.  

On Saturday 3 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/ are £6 or £8 on the night. Alternatively Richard Cannon can also obtain advance tickets from a local shop, ring 01932 786636 by Wednesday 31 October. Meet and park at Richard's house, 77 Saxonbury Avenue, Lower Sunbury, by 7:00pm for a short stroll to Kempton Park, Map.

On Saturday 27 October at 20:00 Quartet Pro Musica, lead by AQSC member Pat Halling, will play at the the Riverhouse Barn, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 2PF. The programme will include the romantic Quartet Op 11 by Tchaikovsky, and the hauntingly beautiful quartet by Debussy.

On Monday 8 October there is a Management Committee meeting at 8pm.

28 September The race result problem has been fixed and they are available online.

On Saturday 15 September there is a Music Hall Sing Along at 7:30pm.

Come along in good voice to sing, tipple and sup. Supper by Aquarius Catering. Chaos by Aquarius Players. £5.00 at the door.

To help us with our catering and to save waste and effort please book with Mike or Jean on 020 8337 1568.

  On the 15/16th September, maintaining Aquarius SC's honour, Frank Rainsborough and mate Jim Lowden again took a podium position at the prestigious Annual Bosun Regatta run at HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth.

On Friday 14 September there is a Management Committee meeting at 8pm.

12 September The latest race results aren’t available due to a problem; they are on the race sheets in the clubhouse.

On 1-2 September there was a very sociable and enjoyable visit to Bewl; overcast but dry with a force 2-3 gust 4 shifty and variable southerly wind. For the first time for many years it was a 2 day visit with camping; Mike Hendra’s caravan awning made an excellent Aquarius club house.   

On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September there is a 2 day visit to Bewl Valley SC; camping is available Saturday night. Details

On Friday 31 August Dave Jenning’s funeral was very well attended by AQSC members; at least 27.

23 August The Summer Newsletter, PDF is on line.

Sadly our Boatswain Dave Jennings, who was a member for 14 years, passed away in hospital on Wednesday 15 August. His funeral is at 14:20 on Friday 31 August at the South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham, TW13 5JH. Telephone: 020 8894 9001, website, map. It is also known as Hanworth Crematorium. Afterwards his sister in law, Evelyn Jennings, would like members to join her at 57 Wood Road, SHEPPERTON, TW17 0DL

Saturday 11 August - Bring your own BBQ and Sunbury Regatta Fireworks, details. Book a place on one of the boats going up river to the show using the booking form in clubhouse.

All the Olympic Womans cycle race entry at MolseyOn 29 July the Olympic Woman’s cycle race made it very difficult for some members to get to AQSC. As the race passed Rodger’s road at 12:45 he suggested ferrying over to the Surrey bank to watch it. It took under 4 seconds for the pack to pass.

On Saturday 21st July 1.30 - 4.30p.m. RYA Sail for Gold “Push the Boat Out” day and FUN ON THE WATER, for youngsters of all ages. The stream is expected to decrease later in the week. However in the event of Environment Agency restrictions, then we will have indoor Olympics with some team based games etc. instead.

On June 30 and July 1 the AQSC Regatta was blessed with a strong SW wind, force 2-3 gust 4 to 5, and no current; the wind was extremely shifty with instant 90° shifts. There was also a SigneT Open Meeting on Saturday, Richard Cannon retained the Hawker Hunter aileron bracket trophy. It was warm and fine for the excellent Hog roast in the evening. Conditions were similar on Sunday but during the novelty race there was a squall with heavy rain and extremely strong gusts; the weather station recorded a maximum gust of 28knts,

Also on Saturday 21st July there is ‘Pimms with Noel Coward’ at 7.00 p.m. An elegant Summer’s Evening. Dress for the occasion ? Period Buffet, Entertainment. £5.00 (payable on the night). For catering purposes please let us know if you are coming, email or phone 020 8979 7254

Sat 30th June - Sun 1st July Aquarius Regatta, Saturday is also a SigneT Open Meeting, Racing from 11:30 a.m. There is a Hog Roast on Saturday evening. Fun and Games & Strawberry Tea on Sunday afternoon.

Sat 23rd/Sun 24th June the Hampton Regatta date in the program is WRONG; it was on 16-17 June. At AQSC on Sun 24 June there will be normal racing with the races that weren’t sailed on 17 June due to high current expected moved to 24 June.

Sailing conditions have been terrible this year but on Wednesday 20th June they were perfect for the Midsummer Madness Cruise to the Weir Hotel. The warm SE wind was 6 to 10 knts going and 8 to 12 knts returning.  4 dinghies, 4 cruisers, and a row boat took 18 members to have dinner. Pictures on Picasa Web Albums (some thumbnails may not display in Chrome).

Wednesday 20th June Midsummer Madness Cruise at 6.00 p.m. Sail or motor through Sunbury Lock for a meal at the Weir Hotel. Return at nightfall. Contact Richard Cannon / 01932 786636 if you would like a place in a motor boat.

Our stretch of the river is currently yellow boarded by the Environment Agency indicating that the current is too strong for unpowered craft. As the river is red boarded upstream from Shepperton Lock (no navigation at all) it is unlikely that racing can take place today, 17 June. If we are unable to sail there will still be activities at the club including a chance for novices to learn some tips and tricks and also instruction in the use of the Patrol Boat. The barbecue will be available at lunchtime and of course we will still have tea and cake in the afternoon.

Saturday 16th June Fun on the Water has been POSTPONED until Saturday 21 July due to very high current and forecast very high wind. River conditions.

 Sat 26Sunday 3 June - Jubilee Race

There will be training for new members and fun sailing. George and Joan will be holding a special Jubilee Race at 2p.m. Please support our new members.

The initially weather forecast for the Visit to Bewl on Monday 4 June was for it to be very cold and wet; no one went.  The Bewl website showed that it was dry but extremely cold, 10°C, and there were only about 6 boats out.

Monday 4 June - Visit to Bewl There is no racing and it is 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. General Bewl details.

4 dinghies on run to the lock. Click for more pictures on Picasa Web Albums.On Sunday 3 June, the Queen’s Jubilee weekend, race officers Joan and George Bray put on a Jubilee race with Jubilee mugs as prizes. There was a Jubilee theme to the cakes. Although a bit damp racing was good in a 3 to 8 knt East wind; on boat handicap there was only 10 seconds between the 1st and 3rd boats. Rodger won on PH.

Most of the entry in the Jubilee race; it was Julien's first AQSC race

   

On Saturday 28 April, after the wettest April on record, we were very lucky that the Mid-Thames Trophy Regatta was able to be sailed at Desborough SC, there was too much current for sailing at Aquarius; story.


May Jumble Sale has been Cancelled

Sat 19 May Open Weekend 10a.m. to 4p.m. & Sun 20 May. A chance for the local community to try Free sailing. Everybody is invited to have a look at the club and experience FREE sailing in a dinghy or cruiser. You should bring spare clothes in case you get wet. Details poster (PDF file 30kb). Club details.

Sat 12 May Working Party 10.30a.m. till 4p.m. Lunch provided.

On Wednesday 2 May Wednesday afternoon sailing is scheduled to start but the wettest April on record means there is too much current for sailing and it has been cancelled for this day.

On Friday 4th May there will be a Management Committee Meeting at 8pm; Note not the usual day

On Saturday 28 April the Mid-Thames Trophy inter-club event takes place at Desborough SC, Notice of Race. The first race is at 11:00 with a briefing at 10:30; allow plenty of time to rig.  Please support this important event to help AQSC regain the Trophy. Please let Richard Cannon know on 01932 786636 if you expect to come.

12April Mrs. R.F."Mackie" McCoy. We regret to announce the death of Mrs."Mackie" McCoy. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday 18th April; details. George Bray, President

On Sunday 8 April there are four races for the Easter Egg prizes, best 3 to count.  

11:30 2 sprint races back to back

14:00 2 sprint races back to back

15:30 Tea and cakes followed by presentation of Easter Eggs prizes

It is important to be in time for the 11:30 start as it won't be delayed for late comers.

April HOSEPIPE BAN - Please note that there is a total ban on the use of a hosepipe at the club with immediate effect. There is more information at www.thameswater.co.uk/drought

Rodger Wheeler, Commodore

On Sunday 25 March there were brilliant conditions for the first races of the season; no current, steady NEE force 1-2 wind giving lovely sailing, and hot. Although 4 of our regulars were away there were 9 boats out.

 The first races of the new sailing season are on Sunday 25 March.

 On Monday 19th March there will be a Management Committee Meeting.

Members wearing a St Patrick Day green dress themeOn Saturday 17 March at the Start of Season party there was a St Patrick’s Day green dress theme. More pictures on Picasa Web Albums

On Saturday 17 March 7.30pm for 8pm there is the Start of Season Party It will also be St. Patrick's day so the event will have an Irish theme. Tis for the wearing of the green" (traditionally green ribbons and shamrocks) so get into the spirit with Irish music and complimentary light refreshments with an Irish touch. Oh! and a little prize for the best costume.

17March The 2012 program, Duty Roster and Spring Newsletter, PDF are on line.

On Sunday 11 March - 10:30am to 4:00pm there will be a Working Party with Lunch provided – Bring Gloves and gardening tools.

Sailing will continue throughout the winter on Sundays as required but will depend on sailing conditions and safety boat cover. For information / assistance email Richard email or phone 01932 786636.

The Ladies Lunch scheduled for the 12 February has been postponed until later in the year.

PancakesOn Wednesday 22 February from 7:30pm there will be Ash Wednesday Pancakes  - hand made at Aquarius; no need to book.

On Sunday 26th February there will be a lunch and Frostbite Cruise. Boat Rigging and Sailing (subject to conditions) from 11am. Buffet Lunch at 12.30pm. Lunch will be followed by a cruise and scavenger hunt. To reserve your lunch essential to email Richard email or phone 01932 786636

On Wednesday 25 January 18 members enjoyed
Burns Night Celebration with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties prepared by
Rodger and Linda Wheeler. Nigel Knowles showed a back ground slide show of photos, some going back to the earliest days of the club, and Richard Cannon played a selection of his videos starting with the roof replacement in 1994 and ending with the excellent sailing on 15 January this year.

  On Wednesday 25 January at 7pm Burns Night Celebration with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties and ……… Some Aquarius videos will be shown. Just so we know how many Haggis to trap please email Richard email or phone 01932 786636. Pay on the night - expected cost £3.00 to £5.00.

Frank Goodall working hard, more pictures in Picasa web albums in a new windowOn Sunday 15 January conditions were perfect for sailing. Frank, Trudi and Bryan had a super sail in a fairly steady SEE force 2 to 3 wind with no current; better than most of the summer sailing days. Utube video (2:10) and more pictures on Picasa Web Albums. Also 34 members and guests had an excellent lunch.




On Sunday 15th January the club will be open from 11a.m. for sailing (subject to sailing conditions) with a buffet lunch at 1.30p.m. (booking opens 1st Jan) to be followed by professional entertainment.

On New Year's Day the club will be open from 11am for sailing (subject to sailing conditions) with hot soup and mulled cider/apple juice at 1.30pm Snacks available. See the Program for more added January activities.

A sail on New Year’s Day was initially suggested by Nigel Knowles and was organised by Rodger Wheeler; it was extremely successful. There was a good sail for four boats in a SW force 2 to 3 wind with little current; pictures of Frank Goodall sailing. Sixteen members had lunch and 21 came to the club.