Quarterly Quote: ‘If everyone helps to hold up the sky, then one person does not become tired’. (Askhari Johnson Hodari) There has been so much going on at the Club that it is difficult to know where to begin! I have also been away, so apologies if I leave some things out. Following two very successful Open Evenings, we have welcomed over 30 new members and we hope that they are enjoying the facilities and friendly atmosphere of our Club. The smooth running of our Club depends on our Volunteers and it is a condition of membership to sign up for some duties to enable this to happen. If any new member would like to learn more about doing the duty that they have signed up for, they would be most welcome to come along and ‘shadow’ people doing that duty before their own first duty date. Also, if anyone feels they could take on Chief Race Officer duties, please contact Melinda Measor on 01983 760462, or n.measor@btinternet.com), as we are rather short of CROs. The Sailing/Racing Scene: Sailing and racing have been in full swing since the beginning of April. If you want to know the race results you can find them on the YSC website under Sailing. Also, Graeme Bowen does a splendid job of writing a report for each race and I would thoroughly recommend that you read these. If you have not got access to the internet, the reports can be found in the Sports Section of the I.O.W. County Press every Friday. As I write we are awaiting ‘Scows Week’ and I hope to be able to include the results of this at the end of this edition.

(Photo – Alan Toms)

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Hove-to! – YSC’s Quarterly Update

August 2017

(Photo - Marion Heming) Non – Competitive Sailing: - Marian Stevens writes:

(Photo – Marion Heming)

Enjoying a picnic lunch at Newtown Solent Passage Sail East

YSC Cruising Section:

It has been a rather disappointing season for the Cruising Section so far, as the weather has been against them for the last two planned rallies. The original outing to Poole Quay Marina was postponed until 11th July and then again that had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. Only one boat, Macaria II, made it there but they had had a day’s start sailing down to overnight in Studland Bay, before sailing into Poole the next day. The next planned outing is for a lunch time rally to Lymington Town SC on Sept.15th. This is always a popular visit, so please let Veronica Workman know if you would like to take part. veronicaworkman@btinternet.com

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As well as the racing we have enjoyed 3 Family Fun/Quiet Sail evenings. Quiet Sails give members a chance to get out on the water to practise their skills, without the pressure of racing but with the reassuring presence of patrol boats to make sure that everyone is safe. We aim to have at least one instructor on the water to coach anyone who needs it. The Family Fun evening is the perfect opportunity for the whole family to come to the club, meet their friends and other members, and bring along some food to cook on the barbecue. A Family Quiz was organized by Sue Witt following one of the Family Fun evenings, and although each adult team took some of the children under their wing, somehow, all the children managed to win the box of chocolates!

It has been suggested that members who are interested could meet and organise some relaxed, non-racing sailing, whereby experienced and less confident sailors could all enjoy outings together, both in the Solent and on the river, in suitable conditions. The idea is to encourage members to make use of their boats, many of which lie idle in the dinghy park for much of the season. Patrol boat cover would be provided and it is hoped to arrange some events this season and include more in next year’s programme. This needs to be a team effort, so if you are interested in joining in by sailing your boat, crewing, providing a big boat on Solent trips, manning a patrol boat, or most importantly, helping with arrangements, please let me know, 01983 760398 (not between 7.00pm and 7.15pm), or yscrotas@massetts.plus.com

YSC’s ‘Swallows and Amazons’:

On arrival they were met - not by pirates – but by other members of YSC who had come along to share in the barbeque, the tug of war, the letter treasure hunt, giant Jenga, marshmallow toasting, camp fire songs, tent erecting and lots more. As darkness fell weary parents and children retired to their tents, or returned to their boats, knowing it was to be an early start the next day.

(Photos – Veronica Workman) The following morning saw grey skies and a Northerly F3 wind, perfect for a brisk reach back to Yarmouth. There were so many smiles, so many happy children and so many ‘are we going to do this again’ questions, that it made all the laborious preparation worthwhile. In all 65 members (including 20 children) enjoyed this adventure. We are indebted to Colin and Elizabeth Campbell from Lower Hamstead Farm, for allowing us to camp in their field and to Mrs Avril Young for allowing us to land in Newtown via the jetty – without this our adventure would not have happened. Huge thanks to Brian Workman, Tom Gregory, Chris Waddington, John Peters, John Tribe, Tony Russell, Keith Greene, Bol and Jojo Minchin, Andre Usborne and Joy Mowle – who all played their part, and finally but by no means least Veronica Workman who was my right hand lady, organizing all the land-based logistics and keeping everyone informed.

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Arthur Ransome’s well-loved story, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ was the inspiration for this venture, with the idea of bringing all sections of the Club together. The weather teased us right up to the point of setting sail – having blown a ‘hoolie’ for 2 or 3 days previously. Just in time the predicted drop in the wind occurred and eleven children bravely took to the high seas in two RS Quests, a Wayfarer, a Wanderer, a GP 14 and two WW Scows and embarked on a voyage to Newtown. They were accompanied by six boats from YSC’s Cruising Section.

Veronica and I are teaming up again for the next adventure – ‘The Pirates Revenge” – Saturday 9th Sept. – so watch this space!!!

YSC Training Centre: - Principal André Usborne Ronni Usborne (Training Co-ordinator) writes: The Training Centre has already been busy running four days of consolidating the children’s sailing skills at Easter and a two day RYA Start Racing – Advanced Module course for 16 children during the May Half Term. This was the first time this course has been taught at YSC and proved to be hugely successful and was enjoyed by every student. The Centre is preparing for the junior summer training which this year will be run over two weeks. Overall there will be 75 children training across the four RYA Stages. As well as junior training the Centre has run a RYA Level 1 Start Sailing Course for adults with all participants successfully completing their certificates. It is hoped that many of these beginners will progress to the RYA Level 2 – Basic Skills Course in September. A Dinghy Instructor’s Course is being run as I write, when 6 participants (2 local and 4 young people who have grown up sailing with us) will hopefully qualify as Dinghy Sailing Instructors allowing them to help with training throughout this and the following seasons. An Assistant Instructor’s Course will also be run in August. Bernard Turner’s Bequest: We are delighted that on Monday 7th August at 1.30pm, Bernard’s son Mark, will be at the Club to name the new RS Feva, purchased with the very generous bequest from Bernard’s estate. He wanted the money to be used to further the enjoyment of sailing for young people and it was felt that the RS Feva fulfilled this wish. The boat will be officially named ‘Dame Turner’, chosen to reflect his involvement in all things in Yarmouth. It will be named on the first day of the Junior Training week so a large number of parents and children will be present, and of course everyone else is welcome.

Bernard Turner The new RS Feva RYA First Aid Courses: There have been two RYA First Aid courses held at YSC this year. As well as our own members we have had participants from Bembridge, Shanklin SC and a Yarmouth Harbour Water Taxi driver. It is a very useful course for anyone who drives or crews a Patrol Boat as we act out scenarios and work out what the best action would be to take. The next course will be in November, so if anyone is interested in doing this course, please contact me on (01983) 760161 or liz@walnuttreecottage.info

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YSC After School Club: -Joy Mowle writes: The After School Club changed from a Monday to a Thursday with two groups, 3.30pm – 5.30pm for young beginners and 5.30pm – 7.30pm for the more confident sailors. The latter time has proved very popular with 18 children attending. Some very nervous beginners have been nurtured through and the Oppie storm rigs and the Peanut dinghies have played an important role in the training when weather conditions have proved difficult.

The Club will commence again on the 14th September. YSC Book Club: The Book Club continues to meet throughout the summer on the last Thursday of each month (unless otherwise advertised). All are welcome to come along, enjoy a ‘bring and share’ lunch and a good discussion. Each book is rated and given a mark out of ten and it is interesting to hear the differences of opinion. The book for May was ‘The Return’ by Victoria Hislop, for June ‘The Shipping News’ by Annie Proulx, for July ‘Notes from an Exhibition’ by Patrick Gale and for August reading it is ‘The cellist of Sarajevo’ by Steven Galloway. The Harbour Spring Festival brings surprises: - Carole Hughes writes:

The Club contributed to the Harbour Spring Festival held back in April, when they ran a ‘Boat Jumble’ stall. As a helper, I noticed an unusual hand held radio was being offered for sale. In a quiet moment I had a good look at it and spotted the notice taped on the back ‘Recovered by Captain David Pentreath, South Georgia – April 1982’. My late son, Robert, had served 6 months in the Falklands with his Regiment (1LI), but this was in 1985. I felt sure that an Army Museum would be interested and began to make some enquiries and do some research on how David came in possession of an Argentinian radio. His ship HMS Plymouth, arrived off South Georgia with another frigate, HMS Antrim, during the Falklands campaign. A surfaced Argentinian submarine was spotted by a helicopter doing a ‘recce’. Depth charges were dropped and the Santa Fe was disabled. An immediate bombardment of enemy positions ashore followed. Marines were dispatched and after several skirmishes, the enemy surrendered and their Marine Commander, Lt Cdr Alfredo Astiz, formally surrendered to Captain Pentreath in the Wardroom of HMS Plymouth. The said radio was recovered by David and remained in his possession until 2017, when it was donated to our Spring Sale. The radio is now with our local Military Museum in Northwood, courtesy of Yarmouth Sailing Club. Ed.’s Note: We wish David and Judith every happiness when they move to their new home in Dorset in September.

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Special thanks must go to Jojo Minchin and John McGuirk – the two instructors, who have patiently taught sailing for 4 hours each Thursday without a break and have arrived early to prepare and set up. We are also indebted to Melinda Measor, our administrator, without whom the club would not happen. She not only manages all bookings/paperwork and money on the day but she also finds missing boat parts and is our shore-based radio operator. Our parents have been great too and again it could not happen without this support!

Fish and Chip run to Lymington on board the Yarmouth Rose:

Club Development: Dr. Geoff Witt, Commodore, writes: We are proceeding with Phase 1 of planned Club development with the provision of a long overdue outside storage area. This will house all of the items in the present Bosun’s store plus items currently stored on the South terrace of the Clubhouse. Your MC has agreed the overall size and location of the structure and we are moving forward with details of materials, footings, planning needs etc. Phase 2 will address both the maintenance of and improvements to the Clubhouse. The project to place an iconic mural on the North wall of the Clubhouse is also proceeding. Rally Collaboration with Yarmouth Harbour: Dr. Geoff Witt, Commodore, writes: This exciting new joint venture with the Harbour has been a great success. Inevitable teething troubles associated with a new venture are being addressed. Visiting rally members are very impressed by our Club and the warm welcome they receive. This project is providing significant income which is offsetting increasing costs. Through this project we have also developed a closer working relationship with the Harbour, which is benefiting the Club in a number of ways, including the possibility of new moorings for our Patrol Boats. This will help to reduce the damage to the Patrol Boats arising from the current location – thus reducing operating costs. Overall therefore, this activity is increasing income and reducing costs. Some dates for your diary:

• 5th – 12th August – Yarmouth Carnival • 7th – 11th August – Junior Training (RYA Stages 1&2) • 14th -18th August – RSYC Dinghy Week • 21st -25th August - Junior Training (RYA Stages 3&4) • 26th – 27th August – The Spence Willard YSC Regatta • 9th September – YSC Swallows and Amazons Event

STOP PRESS! - The 40th Scows’ Week Update:

The Winner! (Photo Alan Toms) Ed.’s Note: My thanks to all who have contributed to this edition. Contributions for ‘Closehauled’ will be most welcome: liz@walnuttreecottage.info Liz Mead Aug 17/8 Yarmouth Sailing Club promoting the popularity and enjoyment of sailing.

This event again proved very popular and was very well supported. It was a windy trip over but thankfully much calmer on the return trip. It was a great night of meeting new faces and enjoying each other’s company. Many thanks to Tony Russell and Sue Tribe for organizing this outing.

Scows’WeekOverallResultsSeriesRace11stJohnSmith2ndDavidHedley3rdRogerP-EAfullreportofthe40thYSCScows’Weekwillappearin‘Closehauled’