22/04/2010

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2010

A Message from the Commodore
Despite an extended cold spell and a late spring, work has been moving on apace, with members getting boats ready for the new season.
A lucky few already have their boats in the water and have enjoyed a few beautiful days sailing. For others that pleasure still awaits.
Unfortunately I could not attend the AGM in February but I understand it went well and we are indebted to Jill Young and her staff at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital for their help and hospitality.
As I write this, I am currently stuck in Marseille waiting for volcanic ash to settle and the promise of a flight home.
I’d like to welcome all the new members who have recently joined the club and welcome back our regular members. The committee has organised a programme for the year and I would encourage you all to come along and take part to renew old friendships and build new ones.
I am l looking forward to seeing you on the water in this coming season.

Tom Barrie
Commodore


AGM 22nd Feb 2010
The AGM was once again held at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank on the 22nd February. Douglas Russell and Robbie Rodger retired from the committee and were thanked for their years of service to the club.
Charles Sutherland was welcomed to the committee. Charles has very kindly volunteered to update the Serpent website and is currently redesigning it . The new site will be launched later in the year, in a new more interactive format.
The committee for 2010 is:
Ø Commodore: Tom Barrie
Ø Vice Commodore: Catherine Toy
Ø Rear Commodore: Vacant
Ø Secretary: Catherine Toy
Ø Treasurer: Val Glen
Ø Sailing Secretary: Paul Harris
Ø Stewards: Roisin Harris, Steve Pickles, Charles Sutherland
Ø Ex Officio: Iain Sinclair



Ocean Youth Trust Scotland
The AGM concluded with a very interesting and entertaining presentation on the work of the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland by Lorraine Toner who is the Volunteer Co-ordinator for the OYTS.
Based in Greenock, the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland operates three sailing yachts which take young people aged between 12 and 24 to sea on youth development residential courses. Voyages last usually for 5 days. Through the shared challenge and adventure of life at sea young people build self confidence, develop problem solving and leadership skills and learn to take responsibility for their own actions.
Pauline encouraged those present to consider volunteering as crew members or consider raising funds for OYT . She highlighted the Big Commute being organised by OYT which is a race from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Lerwick. Two crews of twelve adults are racing OYT Scotland’s ocean-going Challenge 72’s from 20th - 29th August 2010. If you are interested you’ll need to raise a minimum of £2,950 to take part – more details can be found on the OYTScotland web site at www.oytscotland.org.uk or by contacting Helen at helen@oytscotland.org.uk.

A donation will be sent from the Serpent Yacht Club to OYT Scotland as a thank you.


Dates of Forthcoming Serpent Events in 2010

22/23rdMay Spring Muster ( Tarbert )
Saturday 19th June Clyde Get Together (Portavadie)
24/25 July Summer Muster (Craobh)
18/19 September Autumn Muster (Rothesay- To be confirmed )
Saturday 30tht October Frostbite Race (Round Cumbrae)
Annual Dinner Fri 11th December (Art Club)

Spring Muster 22nd / 23rd May 2009
The organisation of the Spring Muster to Tarbert is well underway. The option is to race or cruise to Tarbert on the Saturday and then for those interested in taking part, a ladies race back to Kames on Sunday. See the attached Race Instructions and Entry Form.

Berthing is available at Kip on Friday evening for those requiring it and members should pay berthing fees to the marina directly. The start will be off Kip at 1000hrs on the Saturday morning. Please return your entry forms to Paul Harris by Saturday 15th May. The race entry fee is £20 for the weekend.
Late entries will be accepted but a £5 penalty will be applied.

Spaces are reserved on the pontoons at Tarbert for Saturday evening. Let the harbour master know you are with the Serpent. All fees for berthing are to be paid directly to the Harbourmaster. The evening meal on Saturday will be in the Anchor Hotel at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Cost is £25 per head, for a three course meal and coffee, children aged 5 to 12 years inclusive at £10 each and no charge for 4 years and under. Please state special dietary requirements on the entry form.

The committee hope that you will be able to attend the muster and look forward to another excellent weekend. Please bring along your friends particularly those who might be interested in joining the club. Membership has now been extended to a wider range of people working in areas related to health care, so opticians, pharmacists , physios etc. are now eligible for membership. If members or member’s friends require accommodation, this should be arranged directly with the hotel: tel 01880 820577.


Clyde Get Together – Saturday 19th June

Catherine Toy will be organising the June get together this year. We are going to visit Portavadie Marina for the first time. Drinks on Out of the Blue at 4.00pm, followed by dinner in the marina restaurant.
Could those interested in attending contact her in advance on 01555 665191 so that she can reserve tables?

Summer Muster – 24th and 25th July – Craobh Haven

The format will be similar to last year, with a barbeque in the grounds of Craobh Marina on Saturday evening followed by a the Round Shuna Race on Sunday. More details will be in the next Newsletter.

Retiring Members

Many members will remember John Short and his family sailing the beautiful "Strega" in Serpent events. John has written to the secretary :
”Alas age is playing a part in deciding to hang up my wellies and I would like to tender my resignation”.
Strega was a "She 36", and was well known on the Clyde and west coast waters. We wish John all the best for the future and assure him that he will always be welcome at Serpent events.

New Members
The club has just accepted Dr John Thorburn as a new member . John is a retired anaesthetist from Bearsden. He sails ZOE a Hallsberg Rassey 36 out of Kip.


Other News
Charles Sutherland has invited some club member to enter the Scottish Series so there will be a Serpent crew in the Scottish Series aboard Troikka.
(The Scottish Series sails out of Tarbert from the 28th-31st May. Results are reported in the Herald or online.)

Another Serpent boat Tanit is expecting additions to their crew in July - Paul and Roisin Harris are expecting twins. Roisin is keeping well and we wish her all the best .


Basking Sharks
SHN has issued a poster which it has sent out to saiing clubs drawing attention to Basking Shark hotspots.

It identified the hotspots around Canna and Hyskeir and and around Coll and Tiree and recommended considerate behaviour for yachts sailing in these areas. It is asking all sailors to move slowly around them and treat them with respect.