Archived News Items 2023
05 November Every lock had a red board strong stream warning. Over 2knts and lower slip covered. No sailing but 16 at the club by 15:00.
Sat 28 September The Work Party was interupted by rain showers. Around 28 were at it and 22 eating at the end.
17 September The 75th anniversary event was very successful; 71 past and present members attended. Story and photos later.
27 August There was good sailing in 5 to 10 mph westerly wind, sometimes with a bit of North or South in it. This was an unusual sailing day in that there was no formal series racing, but rather a series of fun races.
19 August AQSC travelled to the Caribbean for an evening with a tropical flavor.
Although the event was mainly organized by Jean Maracchi, she was more than ably assisted by Diana Carpenter, Erica Mason, Rodger Wheeler and Barbara McKenzie in various roles.
Venezuelan, Cuban, Jamaican & Dominican cuisine were featured, with minor contributions from some of the other island cuisines.
10 August The club was very busy with preparations for the 75th anniversary party on 17th. All sailing was in una rigged boats, mainly Lasers with one Topper and Luca + visiting Australian Auntie + cousin getting around sedately on a Pico. The wind picked up quite nicely, just after the last race. Rob Britton was able to shoot video and stills from his drone while race officer. Graham Thompson and Mike Gatehouse enjoyed correcting a couple of passing paddle boarders who were paddling somewhat erratically skeg forwards. So overall a warm, lazy September day with a considerable challenge of keeping racing boats moving.
02 July The very gusty force 2-
04 June Although the weather station displayed N 5-
20 May The Mid-
30 April We finally managed to get our dinghies to overcome the stream that allowed us to race for the first time this season. A South Easterly enabled us to set a course creeping upstream along the Middlesex bank to a port mark near the ramp, followed by a midstream port where the current gave assistance, and a third port off the outlet to start creeping upstream to the finish line. Graham.
29 April Was a perfect day, fine and warm, for the 28 members at the working party. Many tasks were completed. A major task that should be completed Sunday was replacing and adding to the tyres to protect boats mooring.
22 April The Indian take away supper followed by a quiz had large portions of delicious food. There will be a story and photos when available.
16 April Unfortunately since the Start of Season there have been Red Board strong Stream Warning at all locks; the current has been 1.5 to 3 knots so there has been no sailing. There have been good social gatherings of 12 to 15 members at the afternoon tea and cakes. Nigel has done some work on the patrol boats.
31 March The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023, which now recognises a definition of watercraft as applying to any craft capable of moving under its own mechanical power, has come into force today; more.
26 March Unfortunately The Environment Agency had Red Caution strong stream warning boards at all the locks. When these red boards are displayed on lock gates, the EA advises users of all boats not to navigate. So there was no sailing;
15 members were at the club for afternoon tea and cake.
As an exercise Richard asked members to estimate the speed of the stream; estimates ranged from 2 to 5 knots.
It is very easy to measure the stream speed; a knot is a nautical mile (6080 feet) per hour and the distance from the upstream end of the club to the start line is about 100 feet; if something in the river takes a minute to travel the length of the club the stream speed is about 1 knot. It took 40 seconds which equals 1.5 knots.
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8 March As an introduction to the Start of Season Party John Heath gave an extremely interesting talk on boat building for films. Story. Followng the talk 27 members were treated to a lovely buffet supper.
18 February The Ladies Night dinner and entertainmet was very enjoyable for about 27 members; story, Erica giving thanks, youtube 2 minutes.
29 January Birdwatch. Thank you to all who attended A few birds were seen (12 Species & 50 birds). Thanks to Christine for suggesting it. Stuart for getting the furniture back in. Jean for putting together the soup and cake making. And the usual team who man the bar and clear up. Diana.
28 January The Burns Night evening was very successful and enjoyable. While waiting for a story and photos I am including links to Newsletter stories on the 2004 Valentines dinner; I consider this to be the start of AQSC major social events with in house catering. The tables are still in use. 2004 Stories by Mike and Lyn Baker.
A Drone video of Hampton Court to Walton Bridge; index to locations and link to video
01 January There was a current of 2 to 3 knots, every reach of the Thames had a Red Board strong stream warning and the Environment Agency advised that no craft should navigate; so there was no sailing. But around 20 members enjoyed the lunch of Tomato Soup, Jacket Potatos with chilli Con Carne, cheese and beans followed by Crumble or chocholate log. Thanks go to Nigel and all the helpers.