Change of Club Night Dates

January 2020

Because the Clubhouse is required by the Sailing Club for another meeting on Wednesday January 08, we will not be able to hold our normal EMBC Club Night on that date.

However, all is not lost !

As there are five Wednesdays in January, it has been decided to move both January Club Nights forward by one week.

For January 2020 only, Club nights will be on the third and fifth Wednesdays:

Wednesday 15 January

Wednesday 29 January

We shall revert to the usual calendar from February.

As we have only just found out about this, can you please inform any other members you know, who do not have internet access, of this change, to avoid wasted visits.

We are sorry about having to change the dates, but it is a bit out of our control.

Frostbite Sail

A Cold but Not Frosty Morning

Not as many on the water as some previous years, but enough to make it a successful and enjoyable morning.

I spotted yachts, tugs, several cruisers, one narrow boat, two noodle tugs and a submarine.

Many thanks to Mike H. for the usual hot soup and mince pies - most appreciated: it was a bit chilly out on the landing stage.

Photos by Bob Abell

Low Lake

Where's the Water Gone ?

The large lake - a day or so ago. I hope our lake is not down by the same amount, or we will be sailing on mud for the Frostbite !!

Picture by David Lee

Postscript - 28 December:

Apparently, the water level has had to be lowered to permit repairs to part of the bank which has been damaged by badgers. Lovely little animals - aren't they !

More Expense !!

It Will Soon Be Subscription Time

A gentle reminder that Club subscriptions for 2020 are due at the end of January, but you do not have to wait that long to renew.

Subscription rates for 2020 are being held at the same level as 2019:

            Family               £ 40
            Senior               £ 30
            Concession       £ 25

You can pay:

       In person at any Club Night.

       By cheque, payable to EMBC, through the post to Geoff Garside,
       the Hon. Treasurer.

       By direct Bank Transfer. If you want to pay by Bank Transfer, please

       contact Geoff for our banking details - Note that these have
       changed since last year !

Blow the Cobwebs Away !!

Frostbite Sail

As you recover from the excesses of December 25, don't forget the Frostbite Sail on Friday 27 December, from 11.00 a.m.

The Clubhouse will be open and partners are most welcome.

As usual, there will be hot drinks, soup and mince pies for all.

More Nostalgia

Looking Back in Time

David Percy has been sorting through his old photograph albums and came across these shots, which he took in 1969, when it was BRSC not ECPSC. Boat 1996 was his, named Harold I.

I know that they are not model boats, but the pics may bring back memories to some of our more senior members.

Rogue's Gallery

Presentation of Prizes

A selection of photographs of the prize giving at the AGM last Wednesday

Photos by David Lee

Competition Results

Annual Club Competition Results

Beaumont Trophy for Services to the Club by a non-Committee member

            Lew Wallwork

David Swain Trophy

            Steve Toulson

Steering Competition

     1     Terry Miles
     2     Trevor Redford
     3     David Lee

Fiesta Racing

     1     Trevor Redford
     2     Terry Miles
     3     John Berry

Most Improved Sailor

            Ken Jones

J Class Racing

     1     Trevor Redford
     2     David Lee
     3     Phil Davies

International 1 Metre Racing

     1     Phil Davies
     2     Howard Garner
     3     Trevor Redford

Club 500 Racing

     1     Peter Bruce
     2     Ian Sumpter
     3     John Senior

Time Trials

     1     Peter Bruce
     2     John Goddard
     3     David Percy

Boat Building - Semi Scratch Class

     1   Dave Holland


Congratulations to Everybody who took part !!

Don't Forget !!

AGM and Prize Giving

Don't forget that the Club AGM and Prize Giving is this coming Wednesday, December 11.

The AGM starts at 7.45 p.m, with Prize Giving for annual competitions and boat building to follow.

It will also feature Mike Hodgson's renowned Christmas Raffle with loads of prizes.

International One Metre Racing

On the Lake Last Thursday

Despite it being a cold day on Thursday last, we had 13 One Metre yachts out on the lake to enjoy some very close racing.

Good winds and no rain made for an excellent day on the lake.

Report and Photo by Ken Jones

An Unusual View

Not Come Across this View Before !!

A distinct lack of sailors

As usual, it was found by Bob Abell

Old Postcard

Can You Put A Date to This ?

Bob Abell found this postcard of the large lake for sale on the Web. Can anybody come up with a date ?

A Sunny Morning on the Lake

Sun - a Bit of a Distant Memory !

Photo courtesy of Bob Abel

Tranquil Day on the Lake

Setting Up for the Steering Competition

Taken a week or so ago, by Bob Abell

International One Metre Yacht Racing

Congratulations to the Commodore

At the Strebor Open race meeting for International One Metre yachts, held last weekend at Birkenhead, our Commodore, John Berry, came second. Many congratulations to him.

The race meeting was won by Brad Gibson, a four time Marblehead world champion and a double world champion in the International One Metre class.

The third place was taken by Martin Roberts, a four times world champion in the International One Metre Class.

Strong Opposition !!

The Comm in Full Flow !

Club Night - 23 October

John Berry, the Commodore, in full flow, blinding us all with the science of how to set up a sailing yacht to go fast. Fascinating, but I reckon you need a degree in naval architecture to understand it all and perform at the top level. For me, a mere mortal, I think I will stick to simple electric motors !

Photo - Thanks to Ken Jones

Fiesta Report

Fiesta Racing - 13 October

Six raced today. Wind very light, with rain so we could only use the small course. There were eleven races in all. Steve had a pet stick, he picked in twice and Trevor had radio problems at the start.

Results:

1      Trevor Redford
2      Terry Miles
3      Ken Jones
4      Steve Toulson
5      David Lee
6      No. 523

Report by David Lee

Christmas Lunch

Club Christmas Lunch

I know it is only October, but you have to plan ahead for these things !

This year, the Club has decided to hold the Christmas Dinner at lunch time, as quite a number of the more senior Club members have said that they no longer like to drive at night, in the dark.

So:

    Venue:     Cheshire Line Tavern, Manchester Road, Cheadle, SK8 2NZ

    Date:       Tuesday, 03 December, 2019

    Time:       1.00 p.m.

    Price:       £19.50 for three courses

Mike Hodgson, the Social Secretary has menus and is now taking bookings. Partners are most welcome.

We have been going to the Cheshire Line for several years now, and the food has never disappointed.

Boat Judging

Boat Judging - Wednesday 09 October 2019

Don't forget that the date for judging of boats for all of the Club building competitions was brought forward this year to Wednesday 09 October - next club night. It is in the Club Diary

The change of dates is to allow more time for trophies to be engraved before the AGM - it has been a bit of a rush in the past.

This means that the talk by the Commodore, John Berry, on sailing boats, previously advertised for this meeting, has now been postponed until the following meeting, Wednesday 23 October, and the talk by Geoff Garside, on Becker rudders, will now be given at a later date.

Sorry for the mix up. I had forgotten that we had moved the boat judging night - mea culpa.

Not a Boat in Sight !!

Tour of Britain - Saturday 14 September

Not a boat in sight as riders on the final stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race last Saturday start the long slog up Werneth Low, having just passed the Boat Club on the way down from Marple. I was watching the live coverage on the TV, but the helicopter failed to give us any shots of the lake - pity !

Photo courtesy of Bob Abell

George Barrett

Welcome Home - George Barrett

Some of you will already know that George Barrett has been in hospital for the last week with a suspected heart attack.

I have just heard from Pauline, Mrs. Barrett, that he is now home. The diagnosis was not strictly a heart attack, but a stent which had shifted and blocked part of the blood supply to the heart. That has now been fixed.

The prognosis is good, but he has got to take it easy for a bit and, as you might expect, he will not be too keen about that.

In order to alleviate the boredom, he will now welcome visitors [ I imagine with open arms ], but if you are going to travel, please ring first.

Fiesta Racing

Fiesta Racing - Thursday 05 September

Ready for the Start

In Full Flight

Photos by David Lee

Club Night Talks

Forthcoming Talks on Club Nights

Dates for your diaries, of forthcoming talks in the Club House on Club Nights.

Wednesday 23 October    [ Originally advertised for 09 October ]

John Berry, our Commodore, will be giving a talk on Sail Boats: how they work and how to sail them properly.

To be advised                   [ Originally advertised for 23 October ]

Geoff Garside will be giving a talk on Becker Rudders: what they are, how they work and how to build a model one for your boat.

Finally

Although not a talk, do not forget the Quiz and Hot Pot Night on Wednesday 13 November.


[ Updated 30 September ]

Haydock Park

Haydock Park Model Boat Convention

A big thank you to everybody who turned out to help at the Haydock Park Model Boat Convention over the weekend. As always, our stand looked impressive. Just a pity that there seemed to be very few members of the general public around to appreciate it.

The massed display of Noodle Tugs attracted a lot of interest, with quite a few members of other clubs saying that they were going to build some.

George Barrett won the trophy for the best Diorama, and also the 'Best on Stand' prize. Many congratulations to George.

Haydock Park Model Boat Show

Noodles at Haydock

Don't forget that it is Haydock Park Model Boat Convention this Saturday and Sunday [24 and 25 August].

The Club will have a stand there, as usual, and we would like to display as many as possible of the Noodle Tugs which were built for the Commodore's Challenge last week. So if you are going to the show, and have a noodle tug, please bring it along. We can arrange to get it back to you if you will not be there at closing time on Sunday.

Fiesta Racing Report

Fiesta Report for 11 August 2019

Supplied by David Lee

Weather a bit of rain, but the wind just about OK.

Had twelve races in all, all full course.

John Berry had to change his Fiesta 564 for 472.

Results:

•   1      Trevor Redford
•   2      Terry Miles
•   3      John Berry
•   4      David Lee
•   5      Ken Jones

Commodore's Challenge - 2

More Happy Snaps from the

Commodore's Challenge

Photos courtesy of Ken Jones

The assembled throng

Controlled Mayhem

The Comm. to the Rescue

 

Deep discussion

Prize giving

Commodore's Challenge

Commodore's Challenge and Summer Social

Wednesday 14 August

This year's Commodore's Challenge, to build and sail a Noodle Tug, attracted nine entries. After a [fairly chaotic] race around the buoys, and a close inspection by the Commodore of their artistic merit, John Berry declared that they were all of such high standard that he would declare a 9 way tie, and awarded prizes, chocolates, to all entrants.

Everybody enjoyed the experience and the bad weather held off long enough so that we managed to sail in the dry, although the heavens opened later on.

A feast of hot dogs in the Clubhouse afterwards finished off the evening, and thanks are due to Marion Lee and Pauline Barrett for superintending in the kitchen.

Intrepid Tug Builders

Purple [David Lee] and Pink [John Senior]

Dave Holland and his eye catching entry

Martin Sutcliffe's mini cruiser

Landing Stage

Looks Good !

Thanks to all who turned out last Tuesday to help repaint the landing stage benches.

The work tables have been cleaned too, but they still need a wire brush and jet wash which could not be done on the day as the bench paint was still wet.

On the Big Lake

Sailing on the Big Lake - Tuesday 23 May

Photo taken by David Lee

Fiesta Racing Report

Fiesta Report - 14 July 2019

Weather good for a change, but very little wind.
Ten races in all, most of them short.

Results

•     1     Terry Miles
•     2     John Berry
•     3     Trevor Redford
•     4     David Lee
•     5     Andy Spencer
•     6     Ken Jones

Next race day - Sunday 11 August.

David Lee

Another Working Party

Landing Stage Working Party

Now that the boathouse has been fixed, the landing stage needs a bit of TLC as well, so another working party has been scheduled.

Tuesday, July 23 at 10.00 a.m.

We need clean and re-paint the benches and boat tables and generally fettle up the rest of the landing stage. So as many as possible of the fit and healthy please turn up in old clothes to help.

Please note that sailing on that day is suspended until we have got the job done, so the quicker we do it, the sooner we will all be back on the water again.

Boathouse Rebuilt

Boathouse Rebuilt

Many of you will have seen the results of the recent working party to repair and re-roof the boathouse. Appalling weather for the day of the working party, but it cleared up a bit in the afternoon and the [rather damp] crew managed to get the job done.

Work in Progress

Job Done

Once again, special thanks to Lew who spent most of the day doing heavy engineering on the boathouse, while standing precariously in the rescue boat, and to all the rest who laboured in fairly atrocious conditions.

Bugsworth Gala

Bugsworth Gala - 6 July

A great day out yesterday at the Bugsworth Canal Basin Community Fun Day. The early drizzle cleared up by about 10.30, and the sun even came out for a while later on. Lots of interest, especially from families and children, many of whom had a go sailing some of our boats.

This year, the Gala was in aid of the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home, so the place was crammed with dogs of all shapes and sizes. One of the highlights was a demonstration of Newfoundland water rescue dogs getting wet and doing what they like best.

Many thanks to all the usual Club stalwarts who turned out to put on such a good show, and especially to Howard Meadowcroft who did most of the organising, as George Barrett was not well, and Lew Wallwork who did the heavy transport of all the paraphanalia. Lew had his big steamer on the water and, in between sailing it, seemed to spend a lot of the day with the steam plant in bits on the bench trying to fix some knotty problem.

Fiesta Report

Fiesta Racing - Sunday June 9

Weather was good for a change - It only started raining during the last race of twelve. Five boats sailing. 

Results:

1     John Berry
2     Trevor Redford
3     Steve Toulson
4     Terry Miles
5     David Lee

Report by David Lee. Bob Abell was OOD.

Updated: 14 June 2019

Etherow Clountry Park Open Day

Etherow Country Park Open Day

This coming Saturday, June 8, is Etherow Country Park Open Day, and all organisations involved have been asked to put on a show for the public.

We will be there, hopefully in force. Please try and come to make the day one to remember. Bring as many interesting boats as you can so that we can put a good show on the water.

We will be inviting members of the public to "Have a Go", and the day will be a great opportunity to interact with the public and show off the Club in a positive manner.

The Sailing Club, Anglers and the Compstall Comminity Association will also be there.

Lake Closure

Lake Closure  -  Tuesday 25 June

Most of you will have seen the previous post announcing a working party to rebuild the Rescue Boathouse on Tuesday, 25 June.

Because this work will involve major building work on the landing stage, the Committee have agreed that on that day, the landing stage will be closed for sailing until the work is completed.

This will mean that the lake will not be available for sailing during that period.

Apologies to anybody who was intending to come and sail for the inconvenience.

David Swift

David Swift   R.I.P.

We have just learnt of the death of David Swift, a few days ago. David, who joined the Club in 2011, always enjoyed his sailing, despite the loss of his sight some years ago.

The Club sends sincere condolences to his family, and especially to John Glyn, his friend and mentor.

David's funeral will be held at 12.00 noon on Tuesday 11 June, at Dukinfield Crematorium.

Yesterday on the Lake

Spring Cleaning !!

A little light weeding ...

...  and everything in the garden is rosy.

Thanks to David Lee for the hard work.

New Facebook Group

Realistic Ship Models

We have just heard about a new Facebook Group that may be interest to some of you. - Realistic Ship Models. The administrator is Dave Wooley, who is well known to many of us, both from shows and the pages of Model Boats.

Ellesmere Model Boat Show

Hooton Park - 18 May 2019

The Club were not exhibiting at the revamped Ellesmere Model Boat Show, at Hooton Park, last weekend, but several Club members went along for a look.

Bob Abell took some pictures - there were some nice models on display. Perhaps we can have a Club stand there next year.