Archived News Items 2019

22 December It is difficult to get to the club house without wading through water because it is over the bank so if you come to the club you are advised to wear Wellingtons.

Nigel, Graham and Bryan have been checking the boat moorings and adjusting where thought necessary. Water leval graph.

On Sunday 8 December 30 members had a great time at the family oriented Cheats Xmas party.  Nigel Knowles, Colin Lea and helpers organised and prepared a super lunch, quizes and Jenga.

Photo by John BotterillAt the AGM, prize giving and party on 30 November all the existing Officers were elected to continue serving the Club. Di Howley and Josh Watson-Evans stood Photo by John Botterilldown from the committee; we thank them for their contributions. Charles Dennis, who has been a member for a long time, has returned to live locally and we welcome him to the committee.  

18 November There have been rapid changes in water level, coming up as far as lapping over the bank; please check your boats are secure for the winter. They need to be well tied down so they don't float away if the water comes up a lot more. Those that are afloat need to have enough slack in the mooring ropes to accommodate the water level changes.

17 November some members were at AQSC clearing up following a very well presented annual dinner from our new caterers. Every river lock has a red warning board Caution Strong Current, 1.5 knots measured and the slipway was covered so no possibility of holding water activities. Sunday 10 November was the last scheduled sailing day on the programme but activities at the club on Sundays will continue.The BBQ will be available for a DIY BBQ and there will be the usual tea and cakes.

On 16 November there was an extremely pleasant annual dinner, with lovely food from a local caterer "Hampton Hampers" - who brought it all in and took all the dirties away. There were lots of old friends, the aperitifs sparkled, and the wine just flowed. So many thanks to Diana and all who helped in organising, setting up and clearing up. John Botterill

Sunday 10 November was the last scheduled sailing day on the programme but activities at the club on Sundays will continue.The BBQ will be available for a DIY BBQ and there will be the usual tea and cakes.

29 October A very wet day was forecast for the work party; fortunately the morning just remained dry and there was time to patch the drive from the road to the car park with Cold Lay Macadam and do many other outside jobs before the wet afternoon. Many thanks to all who helped, especially Jean for providing a lovely late lunch and Nigel for organising the List of jobs.

16 October The recent rain has caused a current of over 1knt. When I looked most reaches above Sunbury Lock had Yellow or Red warnings (Environment Agency River Conditions); for recent members the EA recommend that if there is a Yellow Warning unpowered craft shouldn’t go on the river and if there is a Red Warning no craft should go on the river.

0n Monday 14 October a large tree fell  down at the West end of the moorings. It broke the bowsprit of Don Barnet's Moorehen cruiser, and squashed an old Aquarius dory. Simon Spiers Wayfarer may have been damaged.

On 12 October Oktoberfest, organised by Jean Maracchie with a team of helpers, provided excellent Bavarian food and entertainment for 31 members; photos by Bob Scholes.

On 14 September the very enjoyable Shakesperean evening was suggested and managed by Alastair Gray; the first time he had been responsible for an AQSC social event. Story, photos

01 September Bodgit and Son lowered ‘Aquarius’ back into  the water before 10:00; there is still a leak but it is much reduced.

28 August ‘Tern’ is back in the water after the prop cage had been fixed. Unfortunately Aqarius still leaked and is out of the water again. In the evening Rodger and Linda Wheeler with helpers organised a party to celebrate Pat Halling’s birthday.

25 August The reason there isn't series racing on the August bank holiday is historic; we used to go to Bewl Water in Kent but it isn't available now. The Bank Holiday broke high temperature records but there was less SE wind than expected. The club was very active, especially with recent members. The afternoon event was a sail up to the upstream mark and a slalom back. A very large number, 21 people, went on the water in a big selection of craft (15); sailing dinghies, canoes, patrol boats. There was a first sail on his own in a Pico. The Lark and Vision were also used. Thanks to OOD Trudi Hilton, AOD Jean Maracci, Patrol Boat Michael Gatehouse, Bar Catherine Bridger, for a very successful enjoyable day.

On Wednesday 21 August Bodgit and Sons, with help from other members, had an extremely long hard working day, 10:00 to 22:00; both patrol boats needed urgent attention and and they were taken out of the water. Aquarius was completed but Tern isn’t available yet; video of Tern, story.

Saturday 10 August Although a terrible weather forecast with extremely strong wind 8 members had a very enjoyable visit to the Sunbury Regatta illuminated sail past and fireworks display; fine and a perfect view. The daytime rowing and punting events had been cancelled for the first time in 142 years.  

On Saturday 20 July there was a super hog roast; story, PDF, Photos.

17July Over 50 AQSC photo albums are in Google Photos which used to be managed by Google Picasa, Picasa Web Albums and Google+; it was very easy to make all albums visible via the Gallery Photo link. Unfortunately Google discontiued these and replaced them by Google Photos and I couldn’t find an easy way to make all albums visible, individual albums can be accessed by links on web pages. Fixes I found have been killed off by Google. After several years I think I have found a way of making them all visible. The Gallery Photo link now displays the “AQSC Photo Albums album, containing links to other albums in the Activity column (Comment); displayed by clicking the “View activity” square icon at top right, or bottom right in a single photo. To view an album click a link not a photo. I am still working on it; some albums may be missing and some links on web pages may not work. If anyone can suggest a better way please let the Webmaster know (01932 786636).

Sunday 7 July Josh Moloney and Nigel Knowles practise their capsize recovery technique in front of the Club. Conditions were ideal for the capsize practise drill held as one of the regular monthly sessions aimed at improving members general sailing and seamanship skills. Several new members took the opportunity to participate using the 2 man Bosun and in addition Josh Watson-Evans ably demonstrated the “dry-recovery” technique on one of the  club’s Lasers”; video by Josh Watson-Evans.

24 June conditions were ideal for the 18 members who went to the Weir Hotel for supper; warm with a good West wind that continued until we returned at 22:00; story, photos.

15 & 16 June The regatta Sunday was very similar to Saturday. The forecast was a S to SW 16 to 20 mph wind; but it was any direction and extremely variable 1 to 2 gust 3. A Laser capsized. The maximum measured wind speed was 22 mph. The novelty event testing boat handling involved picking up balls from the patrol boat and putting them in buckets on the course marks; photos

30 May Story by the OOD.

13May A newsletter used to be published in paper with web versions. I am pleased that Kevin Lavery has produced a newsletter in pdf format that is available here.

02 May Bodget and Son have nearly completed their next major project. The timber cladding along the front has been deteriorating and PVC cladding has been added.

01 May From his house Rodger noticed some suspicious activity in the vacinity of the club. Some youths in an inflatable made off with one of our canoes. Bryan picked Rodger up in our patrol boat and they gave chase. The youths released the canoe and it was recovered. The canoes will be secured by a lock and chain. Please make sure your property is secure.

27 April Salzburg Serenade with Pat Halling and Austrian dinner photos.

On 31 March conditions were excellent for the start of the new season. As forecast there was E to NE 10 to 15 mph wind. There was excellent challenging sailing; there were 5 capsizes.

On 16 March the weather forecast was terrible for the first work Party of the year; some members queried if it would take place. It is usually a mistake to change arrangements because of expected conditions; they were better than forecast and much was achieved; story.

On 02 March the British theme Quiz by Colin Lea was in a variety of of interesting sections. The lovely supper prepared by Diana Carpenter, Deborah Lea and helpers was fitted between the quiz sections.

05 February All Duties have been uploaded to Dutyman and anyone who has been allocated a duty should receive a welcome email with a list of their duties and a link to log them into Dutyman. A week before a duty is due you will receive a reminder email.

On 25 January there was an excellent Burns Night Supper; Story, Video (4:50 duration)

23 January The 2019 program is on line and the 2019 Wednesday bar duties are in Dutyman; you should receive email duty reminders.

On Tuesday 1 January 2019 There was an excellent start to the year, warm, dry with 5 to 12 mph NW wind. Sailing was much better than was expected. There were 2 races in the morning and one after lunch. Six boats sailed and there were 20 members at the club to enjoy jacket potatoes and various fillings followed by fruit crumble; many thanks to Nigel for the delicious food

Personal Items

And now a word from our sponsors (i.e. The AQSC Management Committee). Please remove all personal items from the changing rooms at the end of the sailing day. The changing rooms are NOT storage areas and items left there WILL be disposed of. You have been warned!

Also there is far to much in the store room; it is not for storage of personal items that are seldom used and all items left there MUST be identified with the owner name or sail number else it may be disposed of.
Mike Baker

Most people aren’t aware of the dangers of cold water shock. These RYA and RNLI stories highlight the dangers, I suggest you have a look.