March 2015 - Civil Service Sailing Association

April 2015
Civil Service Sailing
Civil Service Sailing Association
Invitation to
CSSA Annual
General Meeting
New yacht for
Channel Sailing
Division
CSSA accounts:
pages 5-7
Club reports:
pages 8-13
CONTENTS
Details of CSSA AGM ....................................................................3
Commodore’s Corner ..................................................................4
CSSA Annual Accounts ............................................................5-7
Annual Report and Club Round-ups ............................8-13
Five Kingdoms Sailing Club .......................................................14
Jumbles Sailling Club Open Day ............................................15
This month, the magazine is largely dedicated to
the CSSA Annual Report and the Treasurer’s 2014
accounts, which looks back on the past 12 months.
There is still room to include some club news, but
the July edition will have even more space for your
contributions. In the meantime, do keep sending
your news to: civilservicesailing@yahoo.co.uk.
Deborah Ward, Editor
Civil Service Offshore Racing Club .....................................16
Littleton Sailing Club Open Day ...........................................17
Channel Sailing Division ......................................................18-19
East Coast Yacht Division ...........................................................20
n Front page shows Artful Dodger moored in Scotland
Official: More women are taking to the water
Boat ownership and female participation on the rise, according to
latest watersports findings
According to research released in March, 3.5 million UK adults
participated in one or more of 12 boating activities in 2014. This
remains similar to 2013, representing 7.1% of the UK’s total adult
population.
The Watersports Participation Survey is conducted annually by
leading marine bodies including the RYA, British Marine Federation
(BMF), Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Royal National
Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), British Canoeing (BC) and Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
The 12 core activities covered are: small sail boat racing, other
small sail boat activities, yacht racing, yacht cruising, power boating,
general motor boating/cruising, canal boating, canoeing, rowing/
sculling, windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding.
Watersports in addition to the 12 above: surfing/body boarding/
paddle boarding, kitesurfing, angling, cliff climbing activities, coastal
walking activities, general leisure time at the beach, outdoor swimming, leisure sub-aqua diving, coasteering.
Among the findings
Gender: female participation in ‘any boating activity’ continues a
steady increase since 2010 and is now at the joint highest (6.2%,
2007) since the study began in 2002. Males are more likely to be
enthusiasts than females, with 28% participating more than six
times per year, compared to 17% for females.
Age: participation in ‘any boating activity’ among the over-55s has
been steadily since 2011 and it is now at its highest volume since
the survey began.
Boat ownership: more than 1.2 million boats are owned by households in the UK, an increase from 1.1 million in 2011-13.
The most popular craft to own is a canoe/kayak, making up 47%
of the total number owned (573,614). The next most popular are
small sailing boats which account for 17%.
Further details from the RYA website.: www.rya.org.uk
Don’t forget!
Dinghy Championships
Don’t forget the CSSA sporting and social occasion
of the year!
, when the public will be able to experience taster r
Venue: Netley Cliff Sailing Club, Southampton
Date: 11th-12th July 2015
It would be wonderfulto seem more entries from
outside the south of England, to experience not only
excellent competition on tidal waters, but also the
famed hospitality of Netley Cliff.
Details will be posted on www.ncsc.co.uk in due
course. Inquiries to: champs@ncsc.co.uk
... diary dates .... diary dates .... diary dates .... diary dates ....
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2
Open Day at Jumbles Sailing Club, Edgworth, Bolton, 18th April
CSSA AGM, Civil Service Club, London, 27th April
Open Day at Littleton Sailing Club, 16th May
RYA’s Push the Boat out month, 9-17thMay
Inter-Departmental Offshore Regatta, Cowes, 7-12th June
Dinghy Sailing Championships at Netley Cliff Sailing Club, 11-12th July
Fastnet Race, starting 16th August
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015
Members are invited to attend the CSSA 57th AGM
Members are invited to attend the 57th Annual General Meeting of the CSSA, to be held on Monday, 27th April 2015.
VENUE
The Civil Service Club
13 Great Scotland Yard
London
SW1A 2HJ
AGENDA
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Presentation of awards and trophies
Commodore’s address
Minutes of the 56th AGM held on 28 April 2014 (* See Note)
Minutes of the SGM held on 28 April 2014
(* See Note)
Adoption of the Annual Report for 2014
(* See Note)
Treasurer’s Report and Adoption of the 2014 Annual Accounts
Election of Officers and Committee Members
Appointment of Auditor
Amendment to the CSSA Constitution (Apr 2013) as follows:
Para 3 (1)(b): Delete “Clause” insert “Rule”.
Para 5 (4)(e): (line 3) Delete “, who in the opinion of the
General Committee,”.
Para 13. Delete existing para 13, insert the following new paras:
(1) Sailing clubs whose membership consists predominantly of
persons eligible for membership of the Council may become
affiliated to the Association, subject to their Constitutions being
first approved by the General Committee of the Association. The
authorised representative of such an Affiliated Club may on behalf
of that Club propose motions for and speak at General Meetings
of the Association.
(2) Sailing clubs whose membership consists predominantly
of persons eligible for membership of the Council, and which
are structured as a Company Limited by Guarantee or similar
entity, may become affiliated to the Association, subject to the
approval of the General Committee of the Association. The
authorised representative of such an Affiliated Club may on
behalf of that Club propose motions for and speak at General
Meetings of the Association.
After closure of the AGM, members are invited to raise any matters for discussion. A free buffet will then be available.
* Note: These documents are available on the CSSA website
www.cs-sailing.org
A volunteer is sought to replace the current
webmaster, who wishes to step down from the role.
Please get in touch if you have the digital skills and
time to spare. Email: csgensec@yahoo.co.uk
The following nominations for the posts shown have been received:
Post
Commodore
Vice-Commodore
Nominee
Graham Dalton (Note 1)
Trevor Drew (Note 2)
Rear-Commodore (D)
Rear-Commodore(O)
Treasurer
General Secretary
Membership Secretary
Safety Officer
Offshore Secretary
Dinghy Secretary
Training Officer
CS-Sailing Editor & PRO
Iain Mackay (Note 3)
Paul Brereton (Note 3)
Brian Grubb
Vacant (Note 4)
Ken Pavitt
Steve Whitting
Ian Mason
Vacant (Note 5)
Len Creswell
Deborah Ward
Graham Dalton
Trevor Drew
Graham Dalton
Trevor Drew
Graham Dalton
Graham Dalton
Graham Dalton
Trevor Drew
Trevor Drew
Trevor Drew
Graham Dalton
Graham Dalton
Trevor Drew
Trevor Drew
Members (max of nine)
(for IDOR)
CSSA webmaster
Lindsey Kemp
Nick Rees
Vacant (Note 6)
Graham Dalton
Graham Dalton
Trevor Drew
Trevor Drew
Divisional representatives
CSSC CE (Simon Lee)
Proposer
Seconder
Representatives for each club and
division are appointed by the club and
division.
Ex-officio appointment
Notes
1. The Commodore was elected by the
General Committee to serve for three
years from the 2015 AGM.
2. The Vice Commodore was elected at
the 2014 AGM to serve for three years.
3. The Rear Commodore(D) was elected
for a period of two years in 2013 and
is eligible to be re-elected once only
for a further period of two years. The
Rear Commodore (O) was elected for
a period of two years in 2014 and is
eligible to be re-elected once only for a
further period of two years.
4. Nikki Brown has volunteered for the
duty of General Secretary taking post
immediately after this AGM. She will
be co-opted to the General Commitee.
5. Len Cresswell will be relinquishing the
post of CSSA Sea School Principal
in Aug 2015. Any club members
interested in becoming the Sea School
Principal is asked to contact the Vice
Commodore or RC(O).
6. A CSSA member is sought to take over
the duty of Webmaster of www.cs-sailing.org. The Webmaster may be invited
to join the General Committee.
3
C ommodore ’ s
C o rner
Let’s get our friends afloat
n Commodore Graham Dalton sailed a Laser 2000 with daughter Lucy at last year’s dinghy championships
I am writing this on a very wet and very windy evening, looking
out over the Firth of Forth. Scotland is a great place to see in the
new year, but I have to say that the sight of the east coast from
Edinburgh’s port town of Leith is enough to make anyone wonder
whether sailing is a very good idea.
But it is a new year, and though it might still be cold and lifeless
outside this is the time to plan time afloat for the coming season.
I had a great season last year. It started with a long weekend on
Freya of Orwell and the Cobweb rally in May. I have to say, as a
rare visitor to the east coast, that it was extraordinarily good sailing
on a really nice yacht. I don’t recall picking up much silverware in
the friendly competition, but it was good sailing nonetheless.
My season continued with another silverware near miss. With
daughter Lucy, I took part in the dinghy championships at Netley
Cliff. A great weekend of what the big boat fraternity call “variable”
winds. Which means “not a lot of wind”. We sail a 2000, which likes
a bit of a blow. So congratulations to Martin Hughes who showed
much better consistency in his Finn to take the championship.
Martin is a very nice guy, and a pretty good sailor too. We had
some close competition over the weekend, though I did enjoy the
prize giving – he asked afterwards quite why I got to present the
trophies? He thought that the runner-up gets to do the presentation. Perhaps I should have let on that I was the Commodore? Indeed, what is the etiquette about flying a swallowtail when racing?
I did get to fly the flag later in the season during a week on the
Firth of Clyde. I had never sailed on the Clyde before, and now
know what I have been missing. Not quite as much sunshine as the
Ionian. Or even as the Solent. But good weather, sheltered water,
and really nice sailing in spectacular scenery.
Now I know why 5 Kingdoms SC head up to northern waters
each summer. Lochranza on the Isle of Arran only has 12 visitors
moorings, yet we still found four to choose from at 7pm on a summer evening, a good pub just a short dinghy ride away, and a distillery visit for breakfast the next day. You don’t get that in Yarmouth!
So what for 2015? Three CSSA yachts with plans for another good
sailing season. And two of the yacht divisions have their sights set
4
on new boats, which is definitely something to look forward to. The
IDOR event in June seems to have been a great success on the
yachts from Fairview Sailing – rather more manageable than the
Sunsail boats of previous years. So I am definitely looking forward
to the 2015 event which I know will be blessed with a perfect
force 4 from the south west ….
Sailing with CSSA gives access to lots of opportunity, be that
cruising, competitive cruising, or pretty serious racing. All that sailing
is the result of a lot of voluntary effort from a lot of members, and
it is the contribution from each and every member that makes the
Association and the various clubs or divisions what they are.
CSSC is starting to look like a much refreshed and re-energised
voluntary organisation as it emerges from a recession and the loss
of civil service financial support. Sailing is a significant part of wider
CSSC activity, and I think too that it is CSSC that will play a big role
introducing new people to our world of sailing.
I had a really enjoyable year afloat in 2014, and hope that you did
too. To keep our clubs and association thriving, we need to introduce new people to the joys of sailing. So let 2015 be the year that
we all get a friend afloat.
More generally, we still have a lot of work to do to attract fresh
blood into the clubs to keep them thriving for years to come. We
need to make access much easier, with a move to full on-line booking and administration of membership.
Trevor Drew has made a great contribution to the Association in
his first year as Vice-Commodore, and has been ably supported
by the other officers and committee members. On your behalf,
I would like to record our thanks for all their effort. I should also
express a big thank you to John Figgures who steps down this year
after a decade as the Association Secretary. John has done a great
job in keeping the administration of the Association in good shape,
and will be a tough act to follow.
The reports that follow look back on the year just gone. But let me
look forward too, and wish you all enjoyable sailing in 2015
Graham Dalton, CSSA Commodore
CSSA ACCOUNTS
Treasurer’s Report and abridged CSSA financial statement for 2014
2013 Results
1. The Association made a surplus of £4,931 for 2014 compared
with £13,128 for 2013. Membership grant from CSSC increased
by more than £2,000 and less was spent on administration and
training, but the largest item was a grant distribution of £12,001
across all member clubs, made for the first time under the new
‘per-capita’ grant scheme. This provides for the sharing of a ‘grant
pot’ across all clubs depending on available funds and in proportion
to the size of clubs’ CSSC/CSSA membership. The distribution
was possible largely because £10,000 originally budgeted to meet
professional fees in connection with new leasing arrangements for
some of the Association clubs’ sites was not, in the event, required.
2014 Financial position and highlights
2. The Association’s financial position remains strong. Taking one
year with another, the aim is to increase reserves broadly in line
with inflation. This is so that clubs’ requirements for interest-free
loan capital to improve and renew their assets - inevitably
affected by inflation - can continue to be met. One new, two-year,
interest-free loan was made during the year, being £49,000 to the
Portsmouth Offshore Group. This was to enable half the interest
-bearing bank-financed loan previously taken towards funding
POG’s moorings development project to be repaid early.
The Future
3. In addition to the loan to POG during 2014, the Association’s
General Committee has agreed to make longer term interest
-free loans of up to £95,000 to Channel Sailing Division and up
to £57,000 to Five Kingdoms Sailing Club towards replacing their
yachts. Both clubs are actively pursuing replacements and the
loans are likely to be made during 2015. This will significantly
reduce the Association’s cash reserves but nonetheless leave more
than sufficient working capital. Indeed, coupled with the receipts
from future annual loan repayments these smaller cash reserves
are also projected to satisfy potential loan requirements for other
clubs that are on the further horizon.
4. The change in 2012 to a capitation basis for CSSC’s membership grant to CSSA (its primary income) has benefited the Association because – along with new members gained from events such
as the Inter-departmental Offshore Regatta - clubs continue to
take advantage of broadened CSSC membership eligibility to
recruit members. A further increase to more than 2,400 Association members at September 2014 means that membership grant
for 2015 will be £30,919 - some £1,900 more than for 2014.
It has to be recognised, however, that this rate of membership
increase may perhaps tail off over time. And the ‘capitation rate’
for the grant will of course depend on CSSC’s own finances which,
like most parts of the economy, are under pressure. Likewise
there is pressure on the Sports and Recreational Bodies events
grant that CSSC also provides to the Association, although it is
pleasing to report that a grant budget of £7,775 has been
approved for 2015 – a slight increase on 2014 and all that was sought.
5. As the surplus for 2014 shows, CSSA has sufficient head
room as well as reserves to provide a buffer against any potential
levelling-off of grant support. But for 2015 it will again be necessary to set up budgetary provision of £10,000 to meet legal and
other fees related to the introduction of leasing arrangements for
the sites occupied by Netley Cliff SC and Littleton SC. It seems
almost certain that such costs will arise in 2015, despite earlier
delays. So the scope for a grant distribution to clubs in 2015 may
be limited.
6. The wider introduction of site rents for the land-based clubs
will also have a continuing financial impact inasmuch as the CSSC
looks to the Association not only to collect such rental and associated payments but also to guarantee them. Indeed, if the arrangements result in ‘back-to-back’ leases between CSSC and CSSA, and
CSSA and the individual club - as is probable - then CSSA will
acquire actual rather than contingent rent obligations and be more
vulnerable in the event that clubs themselves are unable to meet
their rent commitments. Once all site agreements are in place the
annual obligations - actual and contingent – are likely to approach
£140,000. As the I&E account shows, this figure is already nearly
£119,000. This is another reason why the Association needs to
maintain substantial reserves which, fortunately, it appears able to
do in the foreseeable future.
Appointment of auditor
7. A motion to appoint Wilkins Kennedy Llp (incorporating
former auditors CW Fellowes Limited) as auditor for 2015 will be
proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. Abridged financial statements comprising the Income and
Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31
December 2014 are shown on the following pages. They are
drawn directly from the audited financial statements. Copies of
the full (12-page) financial statements - including the Audit Report
(which contains a ‘clear’ audit opinion), Cash Flow Statement and
Notes - will be available at the forthcoming AGM. Copies may
also be obtained, quoting CSSA membership number, as follows:
By email request to grubbs@stcross.fslife.co.uk
By provision of an SAE (A4 envelope) to me at:
64 St Cross Road
Winchester
Hants
SO23 9PS
Brian Grubb
Honorary Treasurer
6 March 2015
5
CSSA ACCOUNTS
Income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2014
2014
£
Income
CSSC membership grant
2014
£
2013
£
29,006
26,953
4,072
6,532
Associate membership subscriptions
-
27
Training income
-
-
2,126
1,842
1
(4)
CSSC events grant
Interest on bank deposits
Other Income
_____
35,205
_____
2013
£
35,350
General expenditure
Committee costs
1,267
2,066
Other administrative costs
1,712
2,104
734
689
12,001
-
Training expenditure
1,457
1,896
Magazine
8,383
7,843
93
150
555
535
-
-
Functions
Grants funded by CSSA
Advertising and publicity
RYA subscription
Loan default provision
Trophies and citations
_____
407
26,202
_____
15,690
Events expenditure
Offshore racing
Dinghy championships
Victory Trophy
Interdepartmental offshore races
-
1,800
1,292
2,032
80
-
2,700
2,700
_____
Gross Surplus
4,072
_____
6,532
_____
_____
4,931
13,128
Loan interest, rents and charges
HSBC loan interest and charges
Less: amounts recharged to divisions
3,362
5,005
(3,362)
(5,005)
_____
CSSC rents and charges
Less: amounts recharged to divisions
6
_____
112,753
(118,821)
(112,753)
_____
Net Surplus to General Fund
-
118,821
-
_____
4,931
_____
_____
-
-
_____
13,128
_____
Balance sheet at 31 December 2014
2014
£
Loans to division due after one year
2014
£
2013
£
CSSA-financed interest-free loans
70,000
63,110
HSBC-financed interest-bearing loans
35,000
84,000
_____
105,000
_____
2013
£
147,110
Current assets
Loans to Divisions - due within one year:
CSSA-financed interest-free loans
34,500
21,589
7,000
14,000
Chandlery stock
1,447
1,475
Sundry debtors
133,752
120,070
Bank current and deposit accounts
212,809
HSBC-financed interest-bearing loans
_____
237,255
389,508
_____
394,389
Current liabilities
Loans from HSBC - due within one year
7,000
14,000
Sundry creditors
91,268
87,261
Corporation tax
531
460
_____
98,799
_____
101,721
Current assets less current liabilities
290,709
292,668
Total assets less current liabilities
395,709
439,778
35,000
84,000
360,709
355,778
_____
_____
355,778
342,650
4,931
13,128
360,709
355,778
_____
_____
Long-term liabilities
Loans from HSBC - due after one year
Total assets less total liablitities
General Fund
Balance brought forward
Surplus for year
Brian Grubb, Honorary Treasurer, 6 March 2015
A full version of the accounts, and the club reports, can be
found at the CSSA website: www.cs-sailing.org
7
ANNUAL REPORT ON 2014 SEASON
First year in office has been a busy one
Highlights
The harsh winter of 2013 led
to an early period of rather wet
weather, but by March, things
had largely settled down and
our clubs were ready to spring
with the season. The Dinghy
Championships were held in July
at Netley Cliff once again and
all the clubs reported increased
participation with the warmer
weather.
The offshore members and
club boats ranged far and wide
throughout the season, from La
Rochelle to Shetland, both in
n A busy year for Vicecruising and in racing mode, also
Commodore Trevor Drew
delivering RYA training courses
up to Yachtmaster Offshore. The Inter-Departmental Offshore
Regatta proved a great success, with 17 entries and increased CSSA
membership. We do foresee upcoming challenges to the organisation of our Sea School, however, consequent with a number of
instructors stepping down in-year and this will be a priority for the
upcoming season.
Our membership continues to grow steadily, following the expansion in membership eligibility made by CSSC. Interestingly, the
number of Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) Full Members who
have joined far exceeds the number of Linked Members, providing
reassurance that the Association and its Clubs are of direct interest
and attractive to the core clientele of CSSC.
Our last major dinghy event of the season was also challenged by
the weather – this time with a lack of water necessitating a lastminute change of venue. But the Royal Navy came to the rescue
and a relocation to Whale Island proved a great success.
On a personal level, my first year as Vice-Commodore has certainly
been a busy one, but I am eternally thankful for the strong support
of my fellow Flag Officers and Committee members, and in particular the support of the Honorary Treasurer and General Secretary, Brian Grubb and John Figgures, for steering me through the
challenges of the role, along with taking the brunt of the workload,
particularly in liaising with the clubs on the many lease issues and
administering the running of the Association. I’m also very grateful
to my predecessor, Rob Stephens, for leaving everything in such
good order.
Looking ahead, we are already engaged with our Armed Services
counterparts once again, in planning joint dinghy competitions for
2015 and are keen to see wider representation. Our offshore clubs
have planned some exciting cruises for the coming season, so do
have a look at their websites. I’m delighted that we are also continuing our tradition of entering the Rolex Fastnet Race – providing
members with an incredible opportunity to be part of an iconic
event that will undoubtedly be a highlight of their sailing careers.
TrevorDrew, CSSA Vice-Commodore
8
Membership
As of the end of December 2014 there are 2,495 CSSA sailors
paying CSSC subs. This is still a healthy rate of increase continuing
from the CSSC rule changes. There has been a peak in new members joining during the Spring in the past two years, likely partly
due to new members joining for IDOR participation.
There were about 283 new CSSA memberships issued in 2014
and the magazine distribution list has increased from 2,090 to
2,310 in the last year, with 19 members leaving, lapsing or
deceased. Some members share one magazine between two or
three members or do not require a magazine, giving a total of
CSSC paying members of 2,425 plus four Honorary M embers.
Ken Pavitt, Membership Secretary
Publicity
Civil Service Sailing acquired a new editor who has now been in
the role for a full calendar year and has introduced a new-look
format for the magazine. Quarterly editions were published in line
with the usual annual schedule, and mailed to members. Electronic
versions were made available for the CSSC.co.uk website and for
local club/division websites.
In a bid to reduce costs, a request was made in the magazine for
members to indicate their willingness to receive the electronic
version only, however, this secured only a handful of responses. It
is difficult to draw a firm conclusion from this: either members
overwhelmingly prefer the hard-copy version, or general apathy
reigns. Nevertheless, discussions are under way in the Management Committee on possible options for the future, which include
reducing the number of editions per year, converting one edition
to electronic only and seeking cheaper printing and/or mailing.
The CSSC website is being refreshed and a new, more up-to-date
branding was produced for use by clubs and associations, while a
sailing version was created especially for CSSA. Clubs are urged to
adopt this when updating websites, stationery or promoting local
sailing events. Email civilservicesailing@yahoo.co.uk if you don’t
already have a copy.
Sailing text for both the new CSSC website and a refreshed CSSA
website is in the process of being drafted and will be accompanied
by a new library of high-quality images supplied by a CSSC volunteer photographer who has attended a number of sailing events.
This work is being carried out with guidance from the CSSC who
are keen to see a consistent approach for affiliated websites.
The CSSA clubs/divisions are also involved in updating their
websites, using the expertise of their own members, for whom the
Association is extremely grateful. Consideration, meanwhile, is also
being given to wider use of digital platforms that will enable more
informal contact between members and clubs/divisions.
The challenge now is to generate more interest in the Association,
particularly from wider areas of the public sector that are eligible
to join us but perhaps don’t yet realise what they are missing!
Deborah Ward, CSSA Publicity Officer
ANNUAL REPORT: CLUB UPDATES
Dinghy Sailing: Summary
The two significant events of our dinghy year are the Dinghy
Championships and the Victory Trophy. The Championships
were held once again in July at Netley Cliff SC, where the entry
of 28 boats managed to complete all six races over two days,
despite having the traditional Sunday morning wait for the wind.
Race management and shoreside hospitality were again excellent,
and the only slight disappointment continues to be the inability
to attract more participants.
Despite the special provision for members of Fisher’s Green
SC to enter despite their departure from the CSSA, only one
entry was received. It remains a task for the organisers to attract
CSSA dinghy sailors from further afield to boost the numbers to
a level commensurate with the quality of the racing.
Littleton Sailing Club (LSC)
The start of 2014 was dominated by floods. The clubhouse was
unaffected but the Lake became unusable as police closed Littleton
Lane and pontoons and stagings were under water. This happened
in January and February. On both occasions, once the water had
receded to a safe level, volunteers working on Saturday made
the site suitable for sailing on the Sunday. We successfully applied,
through Spelthorne Borough Council, for a Sport England flood
relief grant for repair of staging. Work was carried out by members with the grant covering material costs.
Several rowing and canoe clubs used the Lake while the Thames
was in spate, as in 2013, with donations by those clubs used for a
makeover of the clubhouse interior.
Despite the floods, the lake water level fell in late summer,
probably due to a leaky weir, and together with excessive weed
rendered part of the lake unusable. Our racing programme continued but a Laser Open Meeting was cancelled and the Victory
Trophy moved to Portsmouth. The weed has now died back and
we are considering ways to alleviate future weed problems. Water
levels are recovering, although slowly.
Membership renewals in 2014 were slightly down on 2013. Final figures for 2015 will not be known for a few months or so. Our Open
Day in May attracted over 50 visitors, followed by taster sessions in
summer, resulting in 21 new members. Several have attended sailing
courses. Open Day/Taster sessions are planned for 2015.
A fourth Vision dinghy was bought for the training fleet. Additional
instructors, six sailing and three powerboat/safety boat, are now
trained, bringing the total to 18 and four respectively. Thirteen well attended sail and powerboat/safety boat training courses were run.
The purchase of new safety boat outboards has been agreed, to
Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club
It has been a very good year for Rutland CSSC in so far as our
new commodore has inspired a greater sense of purpose amongst
the members resulting in a much better “feel” to the club. Membership has increased slightly and contact with two CSSC regions
has resulted in a number of taster sessions being organised, raising
our profile locally and resulting in new members for next year. The
extensive refurbishment of both boats has been completed and we
There was considerable anxiety around the organisation of the
Victory Trophy, which had to be switched late in the day from
Littleton because of falling water levels, and was eventually
hosted by the Navy at Whale Island, Portsmouth Harbour in
October. A further late change consequent upon this decision
was to sail the competition in Bosun dinghies, as these were
already on the water at Whale Island. These conditions proved
challenging for all but the Navy; however, the Civil Service team
finished joint first, sharing the trophy with the Army. The talent
that has been uncovered within the CSSC team, captained this
year by Ellen Milner, is potentially a great asset to the CSSA, and
this needs exploiting.
Iain Mackay, Rear Commodore (Dinghy), CSSA
be in commission for the summer season. We hope to hear the
result soon of a Sport England Grant application.
A full programme of series races and one-off events was run.
Overall number of participants was slightly down on 2013. Efforts
have continued to encourage and help new/less experienced sailors to progress and Wednesday evening improvers sessions have
been added to the 2015 programme.
Netley dinghy championships were well supported by LSC, resulting in prizes for both adult and youth members. Youth sailors
competed in the Nationals School Sailing Association and Surrey
Schools Regattas, again with much success. Youth sailing has continued to be popular, with 57 boys and girls taking part in Saturday
sessions. LSC has continued to support two school sailing clubs
and a youth activity group.
Cruising (non-racing) sailing has increased in popularity. A cruising
day arranged at short notice in lieu of the Victory trophy attracted
over 25 boats and over 50 participants of all ages. A small group
of windsurfers continue to use the Lake and consideration is being
given to allow limited use of stand-up paddleboards.
LSC members received several external awards: the CSSA Barge
Trophy; three winners and a runner-up in Spelthorne Borough
Council Sports Awards; winner of the BBC Surrey Outstanding Service to Sport Award; and RYA Outstanding Contribution Award.
Aims for 2015 include: negotiation of the lease and subsequent
arrangements for club structure and management; further improvements in monitoring and control of spending; better range of
hire boats; more support for families; better future planning.
Sue Antonelli, Club Commodore
are looking ahead to the possibility of getting our third boat
(currently in storage), back on the water in maybe 18 month’ time.
A lot of people come to the club with little or no experience so
emphasis has been placed on training this year, which has resulted
in a greater number of “approved” helms. Two offshore events on
the Solent were fully booked up and are to be repeated next year.
Pete Shuttleworth, Club Captain
9
ANNUAL REPORT: CLUB UPDATES
Battered by storms but still thriving
Netley Cliff Sailing Club (NCSC)
2014 began with the club receiving a battering through the
winter storms. The club provides few activities in this period other than moderately supported workdays. It is a credit to those
who attended that they achieved some success in site repairs
and maintenance. We are very grateful to those who organise
and provide the work.
The club has seen an intrusion into a member’s boat and whilst
no long-term harm was done, it was unpleasant and has heightened the need to review fencing around the club.
Netley Cliff SC held the Civil Service Dinghy Sailing Championships in July. Members supported this with resources and
staffing so that civil service sailors from the area and CSSA clubs
could enjoy two days competition on Southampton water. The
events again proved successful and we would like to express our
gratitude to race officer David Greenway and principal organiser
Vice-Commodore Darren Whitcher.
The club currently has 110 members and holds constant at this
level. There is a need to market the membership as the changes
in CSSC membership has failed to bring the increases anticipated.
There is a balance to be had between a high number of members and retaining a “family feel” to the club, although a significant
increase would not be an unrealistic goal to manage and assure a
buoyant future. This where the CSSC in the future can support
by providing assistance and skills in how the club can market this
potential and gain the membership increase.
The training provided previously to the club members did not
materialize again this season. This is partly due to the poor
weather at the beginning of the season and work commitments.
Portsmouth Offshore Group (POG)
The splendid summer has ensured that life at POG has proceeded
according to plan, with a full programme of five rallies and two
races, all well attended. Many members ventured further afield
,from Brittany to the Dutch and Belgian canals and the sailing
centre has been pretty busy with families and friends of members.
Their experiences were reported in our monthly newsletter.
A new development was a joint venture with Hinton Flying Club
where some of their members flew to Lee on the Solent, boarded
POG boats to take part in the Nab ‘n Back Race, stayed overnight
and then gave some POG members flights over the Solent.
The IT development team has completed phase 1 of a scheme
whereby mooring holders at Weevil Lake have been able to
declare their moorings free for use by other members in their
absence, which has been much appreciated. It includes a clever
system where the base mooring holder, on passage elsewhere, is
sent a text message to advise of a “visitor” on the mooring together with their mobile telephone number, so if they have to return
early, the mooring will be vacant. A further development will mean
that mooring holders will be able to declare their mooring free
10
Further, the arrangements made with an external training centre
ceased for powerboat level 2. To this end there has been an
effort to establish an RYA training centre; there is an opportunity
to arrange a joint venture and this is to be explored during 2015.
The club secretary, Basil Panakis continues to sail significant distances and spent some of 2014 along the east coast of America waiting for a clear passage back to the UK. We are always
pleased to hear of Basil’s adventures and look forward to his
2015 itinerary. We wish fair seas and a steady wind to Basil, and
all others sailing in the New Year.
The club has needed to be frugal with finances, there are some
major construction projects required. These include rebuilding
the slipway and redecorating the clubhouse. We have succeeded
in rebuilding the club steps. This provides a significant challenge
as the slipway is a major project and it is apparent that this
construction requires a contract with documented standards
and may require CSSA & CSSC assistance. There has been a
change of committee membership with Rick MacDonald as the
new Commodore and the Treasurer position handed from Ian
Robertson to Matt Hancock.
The club is looking to improve the facilities and management of
the 2015 Dinghy Championships, working with CSSA to provide a cost-effective quality event with the expectation of higher
attendance given the broader range of those who qualify.
The club faces challenges, but it is supported by a dynamic core
membership and active committee, and we anticipate that we
will grow through the 2015 season.
Rick MacDonald, Club Commodore
by using a text message rather than logging in to the website may
persuade even wider use of the system.
The last couple of years has seen the gradual move to direct payment away from cheques for a variety of charges such as mooring
fees and membership fees. This has made life easier to collect and
collate the money although it does not take away the human error
element, so the Treasurer has not noticed a great saving in effort!
We were able to host Sea Essay and CSSC crew for lunch on their
annual “show the flag” trip, whichwas blessed with fine weather.
Further working parties have put the finishing touches to the pontoon decking replacements and site maintenance. New highvisibility escape (from the water) ladders were fitted to pontoons.
Apart from a couple of the swinging moorings at Burrow Island,
all 248 moorings have been allocated to members so anticipated
income has been achieved. Lift-out for this winter has just been
completed with 40 boats craned ashore. Current membership is
at 690, all of whom are CSSC members.
Mike Childs, POG Commodore
Jumbles Sailing Club (JSC)
Jumbles began the year in April with a well-attended open day
where 125 people took to the water in a taster sail and as a result
we recruited a number of new members. In the summer months
we introduced Tuesday afternoon and evening sailing with a meal
provided by members at teatime. This proved popular with everyone and it is hoped to repeat the exercise next year.
Racing has been extremely well attended this year and there has
been a small corps of Juniors joining in with the adults as well as
competing against each other. As a small club, we have tried to
find ways of integrating the young members with more experienced adult racers and this has improved their skills considerably.
The club sent a team to the West Lancs Yacht Club 24-hour race
in September and improved their placing hugely compared to last
year. There is more room for improvement but the focus by the
crews is paying off and, with the same attention next year, (plus a
new set of sails) we will do even better.
We attained Sailability status but apart from the land-based facilities we already had, lacked a suitable boat. As a consequence we
applied to BT for a £5,000 bursary which they were offering on
the 25th Anniversary of their support for the British Paralympic
Association. I am very pleased to say that we were one of the five
winners who each received £5,000. This fell short of the target
needed to buy our first specialist boat but we have heard that the
RYA are willing to fund the shortfall and the order is now in.
We regularly provide facilities for the Lancashire Schools Sailing
Association who attended the National Championships and a
team racing event in the Midlands. A number of our Juniors are in
the squad, gaining valuable experience. We now have a reciprocal
agreement with the LSSA and it is hoped to keep developing the
young sailors as we consider this vital for the club’s future.
A few of the other events this year include Bart’s bash, the Coniston Camping and Sailing weekend and the introduction of Team
and Pursuit racing in a more varied agenda. We have also made
improvements to our race-starting procedure to automate the
Good numbers enjoy
racing, while junior
sailors are gaining
experience
starts. Our Training Officer took the trouble of replying to an RYA
Questionnaire which won us a £250 prize which we spent on a
laptop for race recording and training.
The training section has been involved with Level 1 + 2 training
this year as we have had a large number of new members with
little or no sailing experience. We now have three Powerboat
Trainers and thanks in large part to our Bosun, we consider our
Safety Boat procedures to be of a very high standard.
Our membership is up this year and we are hoping to improve on
it for next year with a concerted effort to recruit CSSC members
from the North West. As usual our own members have put a
great deal of effort into the maintenance and running of the club
and it is their goodwill which continues to move the club forward.
On behalf of the club I would like to thank each one for their
valuable contributions.
Finally, we sail within a beautiful part of the West Pennine Moors
which encompass the Jumbles Country Park. There are some superb walks and historical buildings to visit and we would be more
than happy to see members from other CSSA affiliated clubs who
are passing through the North West. You would be assured of
a warm welcome and everything you need for a sail. Drop us an
email via the website if you are in the area.: www.jumblesail.co.uk
Brian Hoy, Commodore
11
ANNUAL REPORT: CLUB UPDATES
East Coast Yacht Division (ECYD)
Training take-up was slow but appears to be picking up, with some
early bookings for 2015 Taster sails and Boat Handling courses.
The Cobweb Rally and the Autumn Rally were held as usual.
Southern Brittany proved a good sailing area for Freyja in the 2014
season. Freyja spent a few weeks sailing out of La Rochelle before
heading back to Shotley with visits to the South Coast on the way.
There were no major problems with the boat or equipment but
Hooe Point Sailing Club (HPSC)
During the year the Commodore stood down from committee
duties for personal reasons and Vice-Commodore Andy Mawe
assumed the role of committee chairman and acting Commodore
pending the 2015 AGM. Membership was stable for 2014, peaking
at 123 with new members cancelled out by resignations. Early in
the year we lost Colin Palmer, a former Commodore and Honorary Life Member, and then at the end of the year we lost Mark Evans, another former Commodore and very active current member
and committee member. Both will be greatly missed.
Yacht Racing: There were good turnouts for the three race series
and the regatta, with honours shared among several different
boats. Members also raced in other local series and the inaugural
Plymouth Yacht regatta.
Dinghy Racing: Numbers steadily increased throughout the year
resulting in the need for two safety boats to manage the fleet.
Some excellent racing was enjoyed throughout the three race
series and the regatta. Two dinghy race days in summer gave a full
day of racing around the Sound and Cattewater. Members took
part in the Port of Plymouth Dinghy Regatta and supported several major events both ashore and afloat.
Cruising: Members enjoyed a good year with trips to the Solent;
the Scillies, Brittany, and the Channel Islands. Several impromptu
cruises-in-company took place. This year also saw an alliance with
Cattewater Cruising Club and shared schedules have enabled
members to join either club’s cruises. This is continuing into 2015.
Training: At the start of this year the 2nd Tuesday Club Nights
took place. Guests gave presentations on their field of expertise
and members shared their experiences. There were no social
events towards the end of the year but plans are in place for 2015.
Channel Sailing Division (CSD)
I am pleased to report another strong season for the Dufour 405
GL Sea Essay, completing its 5th year of service and some 30,000
nm. There was another full programme of training, day sails, seatimes and charters, with good take-up of events. A summer cruise
from June to August visited northern France, Channel Islands, Isles
of Scilly and the West Country, with an increase in the number of
skippers. There was again positive news from the training team
with 52 members trained this season and a good balance of day
sails and seatime trips.
As reported last year, CSD established a new boat sub-committee to purchase a replacement yacht in time for the 2015 season.
A number of hurdles had to be overcome, but I am pleased to
report that in early January, CSD took delivery of a new Jeanneau
Sun Odyssey 409 which we hope will be availablefrom April 2015;
we anticipate skipper familiarisations starting in March. CSD would
like to thank CSSA and CSSC for their supportduring this process.
12
maintenance costs are high as Freyja ages, now in her 10th year
of service. The standing rigging, jib halyard, mainsheet and reefing lines along with the stack pack and other small items need to
be replaced. Credit goes to the Yacht Husband and his team for
keeping her in such good shape. Freyja serves well and there is no
rush to change her until market conditions are more favourable for
selling boats in her price range, which could extend beyond 2017.
Jean Rehill, Club Captain
Regatta: The regatta was postponed to early September but was
blessed with good weather. A full day of dinghy racing in sunny
conditions but light winds on the Saturday was followed by a well-attended evening barbecue. Yacht racing took place on the Sunday.
An Open Day was held on the Saturday of the regatta, supported
by the Plymouth Area Association of CSSC. Several Area Assoc
committee members also visited the Club during the day.
All moorings were full throughout the year, with a substantial waiting list. More than 65 vessels are accommodated on fore and aft
trots, and mud berths. During the summer, upwards of 30 sailing
dinghies and small motorboats are stored on-site. Over 60 vessels
have been craned or tractored ashore for the winter and the storage area is again bursting at the seams.
The recently acquired Building 20 is being used for the winter storage of dinghies, masts and the club work boat. It is full to capacity
and a welcome addition to the Club’s undercover storage facilities.
The sale of the MoD site at Royal Marines Turnchapel was completed and we were pleased to find that our new landlords are
Yachthaven Ltd, who also own the adjacent marina and a storage
site upstream on the river Plym. The sale has resulted in us entering into the commercial world of tenant/landlord and led to some
significant increases in rent and operating costs.
The sale meant that we were able to secure use of additional undercover storage by renting Building 20. Early indications are that
the relationship with our new landlords has got off to a good start.
The Club is grateful to CSSC and CSSA for continued support
throughout the change of landlord and acquisiiton of Building 20.
Steve Whitting, Honorary Secretary
An ongoing maintenance programme saw several significant repairs, including a hull leak in the transom, frayed forestay, main and
jib halyard replacement, bilge and shower pump repairs, and prop
tightened. CSD boat husband team continue with a considerable
workload early in 2015. On delivery of the new yacht, the team
will move onto coding, shake down sails, preparing boat manuals,
and familiarising skippers. It is quite a major operation to keep Sea
Essay fit for the sailing programme; CSD appreciates the support
of skippers making minor repairs and submitting thorough reports
of faults, repairs or incidents
The 2015 programme for the new yacht is now available. CSD
hope members will be impressed with the new yacht and continue
to support CSD in the coming season. If members have specific
requirements or suggestions, do please contact the relevant programme organiser listed on our website www.channelsailing.org
Andy C Smith, CSD Club Captain
Offshore Sailing: Summary
2014 has seen our CSSC yachts busy as always. 5KSC ventured
north from Liverpool for a season on the Clyde and both CSD and
ECYD made trips down the west coast of France as far as La Rochelle. CSORC has had a series of successful charters for its racing
campaigns and CSSC sponsorship has been secured to continue
CSORC’s Representative Event campaigns into 2015.
IDOR’s winning formula has continued aboard a matched fleet of
chartered Oceanis 37s and CSSC support is secured for 2015.
POG has continued to serve well the needs of its members with
provision of mooring facilities, and events including rallies, races,
training and talks. The CSSA Sea School ook a knock with the loss
of all our Divisional Chief Instructors. Our Principal Instructor has
stood in as Chief Instructor for all three Divisions. CSD successfully
delivered training at all levels but the School is struggling to meet
demand for Coastal Skipper training from ECYD and 5KSC.
Five Kingdoms Sailing Club (5KSC)
5KSC had an unusual season trying to balance viewing of Artful
Dodger by prospective purchasers with delivery of sailing for
members. The season returned a healthy end-of-season bank balance and membership increase, from 82 in 2013, to 105 in 2014.
Sadly, Brian Walker, Vice-Captain of 5KSC, died in November following health problems that forced him to stand down as Captain
at our 2013 AGM.
5KSC made its 300-mile weekend delivery trip from Liverpool to
the Clyde to have Artful Dodger on the sales pontoons at Inverkip
for the spring boat show. The sailing was subsequently a compromise: cruising along the Clyde coast while remaining available for
sales viewing. It was not possible to reach the Hebrides. Demand
for Taster Sails on the Mersey and Menai Straits has not been met
for the new recruits wishing to sail from Liverpool.
We have seen a trickle of newly appointed CSSA Approved Skippers. The 5KSC Inshore Skipper Scheme now provides opportunity for less experienced skippers to charter a CSSA yacht – either
for the joy of cruising the Clyde or as a stepping stone towards full
CSSA Approved Skipper.
CSSA plans for cruising and racing in 2015 are now well developed. We may see our fleet evolve with replacement of at least
one yacht during the season. All three yacht operating Divisions
have yacht replacement plans. CSD now has a trade-in deal for
a new Sea Essay. 5KSC is juggling guaranteed sailing with sale of
Artful Dodger and separate purchase of her replacement. ECYD
is looking to replace our her blue water cruiser, Freyja, when the
market is right.
Paul Brereton, Rear Commodore (Offshore), CSSA
5KSC’s Inshore Skipper Scheme is established and interested skippers have registered in readiness for chartering during the 2015
season, after gaining their prerequisite familiarity with the Clyde
and Artful Dodger in 2014. Trainer availability limited RYA courses
to one Day Skipper course with four successful candidates. 5KSC
plans to grow its training capacity once the future of the CSSA Sea
School is clear. Artful Dodger was unavailable to race during the
2014 season but 5KSC entered IDOR to try prospective purchase Mange Tout, an Oceanis 37, and won the Elite Cup and the
CSORC Shield. Our broker remains upbeat about the number of
people interested in Artful Dodger and the likelihood that one will
become our purchaser. 5KSC has been briefed to expect an offer
on a handful of occasions but none was received to date. Arrangements with CSSA and CSSC stand for handling the sale once
an acceptable offer is received. The candidate replacement yachts
we were following have now all sold.
Paul Brereton, Club Captain
Civil Service Offshore Racing Club (CSORC)
It was an auspicious start to the year, with Club members Richard Palmer and Trevor Drew being awarded the CSSA Armstrong Vase for
their podium finish in the1,000 nm JOG race to Cascais, Portugal. From a racing perspective, the club had a relatively quiet year in 2014,
primarily due to the continuing lack of qualified skippers. The Club entered three events:
The Sunsail Season Chiller, February: This is an early event in the Sunsail Race series and comprises four races over two days. Bill Taylor
skippered our entry with results improving over the weekend from 15th to 10th.
The IDOR 2013, May: CSORC entered two boats, the
first skippered by Phil Armitage, finishing 16th, the second
skippered by Andrew Moss, finishing 11th out of 17.
Poole JOG, September. Two races: a race from Cowes,
50 nm eastwards round the IOW, and on to Poole, on the
Saturday followed by a direct return from Poole to Cowes
the following day. Trevor Drew skippered J/109 Jangada Too,
on loan to the club for this event, with funds raised going
towards the club. Results 10th and 5th in Class.
Other activities: Members Richard Palmer & Trevor Drew
continued to race double-handed, winning the iconic Double-Handed Round Britain & Ireland Double-Handed Race
in June. Subject to demand and finding a suitable skipper, the
club plans to enter the 2015 Fastnet Race in August. This will
involve a series of qualifiers, as well as the race itself. We also
hope to run a series of inshore races. Keep an eye on our
website www.csorc.org for updated information.
Richard Palmer, Club Captain
13
Five Kingdoms sailng Club
LATEST: Artful Dodger under offer
Artful Dodger is under offer and may well be in the service of her
new owner by the time you read this. The 5KSC contract with the
broker was terminated on 27 February. The broker came back on
the 4 March with a good offer which was subsequently accepted.
The sale process is currently in hand.
5KSC is now seeking out suitable yachts at the right price. Candidate yachts identified so far are thinly spread from the
Netherlands to western France through North Wales to the west
coast of Scotland.
5KSC programme for 2015
The early season programme has been disrupted by the sale of
Artful Dodger but a number of early season events are planned
on the Clyde aboard charter yachts including Scorcher V from
the RNSA Neptune Sailing Club. Other charters are likely to be
booked to check out the sailing performance of models of potential replacement yacht. The 5KSC Committee apologises for any
disruption caused to your planned sailing.
It is currently unclear when we will have our replacement yacht in
service. As discussed following our AGM, depending on when and
where we buy, we may well use our respective booked slots during
July, August and September to make a staged delivery of our new
yacht from the port of purchase to Liverpool.
n Farewell to Artful Dodger, seen moored off Bute
14
If we buy in Scotland, we will deliver the programme as booked. In
the unlikely event we buy a replacement early in the season, we
may find a crew to make a short, sharp delivery to Scotland for
completion of your booked programme in the Hebrides.
Taster sails, cruises, mini cruises, racing and training opportunities
will be posted on 5KSC.org.uk on the on-line booking page.
To discuss opportunities e-mail crew_bureau@5ksc.org.uk
Clyde Muster 2015
The annual Muster of the 5 Kingdoms Sailing Club and the Scottish
Civil Service Cruising Club has been disrupted by the sale of Artful
Dodger. Nevertheless, there are still hopes of a 2015 cruise in
company and a Muster at a favourite restaurant. For further details
or to enter a yacht, e-mail Captain@5KSC.org.uk.
RYA First Aid shore based course
CSSA First Aid offers RYA First Aid training for CSSA members.
The next course will be late in April at Combs Sailing Club (between Whaley Bridge and Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire). E-mail
CSSAFirstAid@gmail.com if you would like further details.
Contact 5KSC
www.5ksc.org.uk
Come and make a splash!
Jumbles
Sailing Club
Open Day 2015
at
Saturday
18th April
11am-4pm
... it’s free
FREE taster sessions
in the club’s boats
n Experienced friendly instructors
n Refreshments
n All ages welcome
Horrobin Lane
Edgworth
n Bring a change of clothes
www.jumblesail.co.uk
Bolton
BL7 0HJ
15
CIVIL SERVICE OFFSHORE RACING club
A brilliant event - and there’s still room
to sign up as crew on two boats
The programme for 2015
The programme is on the website at:
www.csorc.org.uk/programme.htm. As ever we will enter those
events that people want to do, so if you’d like to do a race then
get your name down early and we can sort out a charter and race
entry well in advance.
We are entering two boats in the IDOR this year, with Andrew
Moss and Nick Bowles skippering. Cost is £300 which includes a
barbeque, prize-giving dinner and of course race entry and berthing in Cowes. This is a brilliant event and good fun on and off the
water. Again, get your name in if you’d like to do it. There are still
places available on both boats.
We are also entering a Fastnet campaign this year. With Richard
and Trevor tied up in a two-handed race we cast our net a bit
wider for a skipper and Simon Zavad of DSTL has stepped
forward. If you would like to join the crew, the cost will be around
£2,000 to include two training weekends, three qualifying races and
the Fastnet itself, which compares favourably with commercial rates.
The CSORC AGM
We will be holding the AGM at the Civil Service Club, 13-15 Great
Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HJ on Monday 27th April. It will be
held after the CSSA AGM which starts at 18:00. Come along and
meet us, stay for a chat and a drink. As is usual on these occasions
there will be an election of officers and committee members,
which brings me to the next item:
CSORC Crew Bureau
As most of you know, the club has a crew bureau – not a piece
of mahogany, nor a fully staffed office, but the traditional name for
the person who organises crews. At the moment it’s me, an email
account and a little computer system to keep track of who is doing
what. After more than 10 years doing this I feel it’s time to give
somebody else a chance to have a go. So if you would like to give
it a try then let me know by email: NickBowles2000@yahoo.com
or come along to the AGM and we can talk about what it involves
in a bit more detail.
Facebook
If you are a social media person then we have a Facebook “group”.
We used to have a Facebook “page” as well, but we thought a
group was more useful, so the page is going. When you join the
Civil Service Offshore Racing Club group you can post comments,
links, and photos, so please do give it go if you haven’t already.
Nick Bowles, Crew Bureau
n The
Fastnet
Race,takes
in the iconic
rock, above,
that lies
between
Ireland and
the UK
16
Littleton Sailing
Club Open Day
Saturday 16th May
It’s Spring, so ‘push the boat out’ and get on the water
on our Open Day, 10.30 am till 4.00 pm.
• Book a taster sail
• Try stand up paddleboarding
• Marine model display
• Refreshments available and bar open
• £50 saving for new members joining on the day
For more information or to book a taster contact:
Vanda Jowett
01932 571036
taster@littletonsc.co.uk
www.littletonsc.co.uk/pages/tasterdays.html
17
CHANNEL SAILING division
Welcome on board the new Sea Essay
In the few short months since the AGM, the Channel Sailing Division has parted with our five-year old/30,000mile Dufour 405 and
have acquired a replacement Sea Essay of Hamble. This new boat
is a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 (SO409), a three-cabin, eight-berth,
40ft (12.34m) cruising boat very similar to its predecessor.
Having lost the early season to commissioning the new yacht,
April and May see a variety of sailing opportunities followed by a
Summer Cruise (to La Rochelle and back) stretching through June,
July and August. We are offering numerous opportunities to experience the new boat as shown on the programme. For the latest
information please visit our website channelsailing.org or contact
the relevant CSD sailing organiser:
We took delivery in February and work immediately started to
prepare the boat for its Small Commercial Vessel (SCV) Certificate
survey to permit it to be operated in Category 2, i.e. up to 60
miles from a safe haven, with up to eight people on board. The
boat comes with an array of B&G instruments to which an
extensive set of electronic systems have been added and integrated, over a NMEA 2000 network, and comprising:
•
•
•
•
•
•
For Charters and Training email Colin Hurd at:
csdcharters@btinternet.com
For Crew Bureau and Sea Times email David Hartland at:
csdseatime@yahoo.co.uk
For Individual or Group Day Sails email Colin Smith at:
csddaysails@btinternet.com
For CSSC Taster Days email Jenny Yarrow at:
jennifer.yarrow@cssc.co.uk
A Raymarine Hybrid Touch Multi-Function Display
Raymarine 18” 4kW Radar
AIS-B Transceiver
Nav6 Navtex
Icom M323 VHF/DSC Radio
Raymarine Autopilot
The new yacht was due to be formally named on Tuesday
7th April. All CSSA members were invited to attend and look
over the new Sea Essay afterwards.
Many people contributed throughout this process and in particular
our thanks go to Jeff Llewellyn, Colin Smith, David Price, David
Haward, Bob Meir, Lindsay Cole and Adrian Barnes for giving up
their time to carry out the extensive amount of work required.
We also want to recognise the important role CSSA and CSSC
played in securing the club’s new yacht. At the time of writing the
work is going to plan and we expect the charters, training courses
and sea times to commence at the end of March as shown on the
sailing programme below.
STOP PRESS: We have vacancies on our Yachtmaster Prep and Exam courses running from
9th-15th May. For further details, please contact
Colin Hurd at csdcharters@btinternet.com
SEA ESSAY (Jeanneau SO409) SAILING PROGRAMME 2015 - Updated 1st April 2015
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Jan
14
15
16
17
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Feb
1
2
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
1
2
Charter (DHD)
May
Sail
Trim
1
2
3
4
3
5
6
4
2
5
6
7
3
4
3
4
7
Naming
Cmy
Charter Bid (AS)
Charte (SW)
1
Jun
8
9
10
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
CSSC
DS3
CSSC
DS4
GDS1
5
6
7
2
9
10
8
9
12
13
14
1
5
2
1
Oct
2
3
4
3
4
1
3
4
Sea Time 4
(Berths)
CC/DS
2
12
15
16
3
4
13
14
11
12
6
7
8
5
6
7
8
5
6
5
GDS
VOA
5
6
17
16
13
14
9
10
11
12
13
9
10
21
22
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
15
16
14
15
16
11
12
3
4
5
6
17
9
10
11
7
8
9
10
11
M
M
CSSC
DS9
CSSC
Board
CSSC
DS10
7
8
9
10
11
7
8
7
8
19
FAM2
18
19
12
12
13
14
15
3
14
16
15
10
9
10
20
21
22
21
20
18
19
CSSC
DS6
18
19
17
18
12
13
14
21
12
11
12
23
24
CSSC
DS1
CSSC
DS2
23
24
22
Charter Bid (RS)
20
21
22
23
16
15
13
14
17
16
13
14
15
13
14
16
18
17
18
15
15
17
18
CC/DS3 Part 2: M
Blockley
GDS
VOA
16
26
17
18
27
FAM4
25
19
20
21
22
23
24
19
20
21
22
23
28
29
30
31
Charter - (DHD)
FAM5
26
27
28
29
30
Charter Sail Trim: R Bone
DJH
(Full)
Charter - (IK)
25
26
27
28
29
30
CSSC
DS7
CSSC
DS8
M
M
M
Sea Time 6
25
26
27
31
28
29
30
Summer Cruise Week
Allocated
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
28
29
30
31
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
19
20
21
CSSC
DS11
CSSC
DS12
M
19
20
21
M
CSSC
DS13
CSSC
DS14
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Charter Bid (DHD)
22
23
24
26
27
Charter Bid (RS)
25
26
CC/DS3: (Berths available)
27
28
29
30
31
YM Prep + Exam (Berths available)
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
RADAR: RADAR:
L Cole
L Cole
M
16
24
25
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
CC/DS2: (Full)
Boat Handling: D Price
(Full)
11
24
FAM3
22
Boat Handling: D Price
(Full)
CSSC
DS5
23
COP
Survey
Sea Time 7: Cross-Channel
Sea Time 3
(Berths)
CC/DS3 Part 1: M Blockley
(Berths available)
9
20
Sea Time 1
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Sea Time 5 (Berths)
2
17
Sea Time 2
18
FAM1
SO409 CODING SURVEY PREPARATION
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Nov
1
17
AS Ref
Day
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Sail Trim: R Bone (Berths
available)
6
15
M
YM Prep + Exam (Berths available)
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Sep
11
Charter (RO)
10
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Aug
17
Dec
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
29
31
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Winter Maintenance
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Jan15
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Winter Maintenance
Training
Charters
Day Sails
GDS
Sea Time
M
Summer Cruise
18
20
Hand
over
Summer Cruise Week Allocated
Week Allocated
1
8
Boat Handling: R Bone
(Full)
M
Sea Time 6: Cross-Channel
Jul
DS
18
SO409 CODING SURVEYS? AS Familiarisation
Apr
BH
19
SO409 Commisionning by Sea Ventures
Mar
DS
18
D405 Maintenance & Part Exchange Preparation
Boat Handling
Day Skipper
FAM
CC
YM
Contacts :
Charters/SC
Colin Hurd
e-mail
csdcharters@btinternet.com
David Hartland
e-mail
Csdseatime@yahoo.co.uk
Jeff Llewellyn
e-mail: j.llewellyn57@ntlworld.com
Training
Colin Hurd
e-mail
csdcharters@btinternet.com
e-mail
csddaysails@btinternet.com
Group Day Sails
Maintenance
Skipper Familiarisation
Crew Bureau &
Sea Times
Skipper Famil
Competent Crew
Yachtmaster
CSSC DS
Jenny Yarrow
email:
jennifer.yarrow@cssc.co.uk
Note 1: all dates that are blank (i.e. not colour coded) are avaialble for member charter subject to the usual reqirements, including for an Approved Skipper
Note 2: if there is suffient demand it may be possible to organise sessions for qualifying activities that are not currently covered
Group / Day Sails Colin Smith
Bank Holidays 2015
03 April
Friday
Good Friday
06 April
04 May
25 May
31 August
Monday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Easter Monday
Early May bank holiday
Spring bank holiday
Summer bank holiday
n The replacement Sea Essay, below,
arrived in Feburary, and is undergoing
preparations for a busy programme of
activities with Channel Sailing Divison
members. Above and right are views
of the interior fittings.
n Channel Sailing Division’s new yacht is being prepared for the season
19
EAST COAST YACHT DIVISION
A Baltic summer
beckons before work
on replacement
The ‘long trip’ this year is to the Baltic visiting south Sweden
Denmark , Germany and the Netherlands. Freyja is due to
depart Shotley for Middleburg on 23rd May. Freyja then makes
her way to the Baltic with change-over ports at Enkhusen, Delfzil,
Rendsburg on the Kiel Canal, Ystad and Malmo in Sweden. On the
return trip there is a late charter opportunity from Rendsburg to
Den Helder in late August to the beginning of September.
She returns to Shotley by 26th September. Before she departs,
there is early season availability for courses, seatime, taster sails
and charters and crew opportunities are available for the
Cobweb rally run over the first Bank Holiday in May.
Dates for late season charter and courses to be advised soon
Visit the website for up to date availability and vacancies:
www.ecyd.org.uk.
Summary of opportunities at the time of writing.
Charter: A long weekend from Shotley to Shotley
1800 Thursday 2nd April ,to Monday 6th April
Seatime: Arrange for two, three, five or seven from Shotley
to Shotley
1800, Sunday 12th April, to Sunday, 19th April
Cobweb rally: Shotley to Shotley
1800 Friday, 1st May, to 1800, Mondat 4th May
Charter/Seatime: Rendsburg to Den Helder
1200, Thursday 27th August to 1200 1800, Sunday 6th
September
Autumn rally: Shotley to Shotley
1800, Thursday 1st October, to Sunday, 4th October
The Replacement Boat Committee (RBC) is starting work in
earnest to examine in earnest the feasibility of a replacement for
Freyja. Freyja is a good sound boat in excellent condition due to
the hard work of the Yacht Husband and his team, but the market
for selling her is not good in the present economic climate. The
RBC will be looking to replace Freyja in the next two or three
years with a boat of similar type.
n The time is not good for replacing Freyja, seen here in the Kiel Canal
Chandlery
Rectangular CSSA House Flags
Triangular CSSA burgees
SizesLarge (30cm x 45cm approx)
Small (20cm x 30cm approx)
CSSA ties (polyester)
Graham Dalton Membership Secretary Ken Pavitt kenwpavitt@aol.com
20
£10.00
P&P included. Please send your requests and cheques (payable
to Civil Service Sailing Association) to:
Brian Grubb
64 Cross Road
Winchester
Hants
SO23 9PS
CSSA is affiliated to the
Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
and the Royal Yachting Association.
Commodore
£16.00
£13.00
General Secretary John Figgures
Editor
Affiliated
csgensec@yahoo.co.uk
Deborah Ward civilservicesailing@yahoo.co.uk