Commodore Bit

My second newsletter already! Doesn't time fly when you're having fun? And it is fun. I don't think there's much point in being Commodore if it wasn't.

The first thing I would like to do is to wish both Peter Carpenter and Maggie Rogers all the best for swift recoveries. Pete's just had a triple heart by-pass and Maggie is currently undergoing Chemotherapy. It's also great to see Rodger Wheeler and John Tomkins looking a lot better after their recent problems. All the best also to Janet Edwards who has an Op coming up.

Since the last newsletter those well known contractors Bodgett & Son have been hard at work in the clubhouse. The intent being not only to carry out necessary repairs but to make our clubhouse a more friendly and comfortable place that hopefully people with want to come to and spend time in pleasant surroundings alongside the river. During the same period our safety boat has also been overhauled to ensure Swiss watch reliability for the 2003 season.

The clubs internal and external social events got underway with a remarkable start of season party at which Pat (Strad) Halling entertained an audience with a virtuoso violin recital. The applause at the end said it all! The clubs quiz nights continue to be popular, with some, providing a few unexpected twists.

Thanks to Bryan for his work on the patio area. The new fencing looks great and blends in with the rest of the clubhouse. Thanks also to Richard for his repairs to the club Pico rudder, not the easiest of jobs.

AQSC now has a Health & Safety Plan, copies of which can be found in the clubhouse and on the website.

Our annual open weekend went well due to the hard work of all involved and despite the weather. Our team did well in the mid Thames Trophy at Hampton SC, coming second overall.

I think the best way to describe participation in Sunday racing is disappointing. Richard goes to great pains to organize the Spring, Summer and Autumn series. It's well publicized and organised but the turn out is poor. We have some 50 or 60 boats registered at AQSC but if we get six on the water on Sundays we are doing well. Why I ask myself? That's not a rhetorical question; I would really like to know. It can't all be down to the weather.

Our next milestone will be the clubs annual regatta (28-29 June), combining on the Saturday, a SigneT open meeting and the jazz night and barbecue. You will find further info on this elsewhere in this newsletter and so that we can determine catering requirements I would ask you to fill in the ticket request and return it to Diana a.s.a.p. and certainly no later than Wednesday 25 June.

Well that's about it. I'll leave you to browse through the rest of this issue. Thanks to Keith Hatton and Pat Irving for their contributions. At least I've got something to read this time!

Mike (The Commodore but still Over Easy) Baker