Eric Smith
It is with great sadness that we have to report that Eric Smith died early this morning.
Eric has been a fixture both within the Club and around Etherow for longer than most of us can remember, and he will be sadly missed.
All our condolences go to Mrs. Smith and Eric's family.
In accordance with Eric's wishes, there will not be a funeral. He wished to be cremated privately, with no fuss.
MYA Award for EMBC
The Club has been awarded the Stepping Up Trophy by the Model Yachting Association. This Trophy is an annual national award for the most improved Club in sail boats.
John Berry, our Commodore, was presented with the Trophy recently by Derek Priestly, the President of the Model Yachting Association.
Many Congratulations to John and all of the Yachting Group members.
Membership Subscriptions
The Committee have reluctantly decided that, having kept membership subscription rates fixed for the last six years, the time has now come that, in order to maintain an income adequate to meet the operating expenses of the Club, they will have to be increased for 2023.
Operating expenses of the Club, the major items of which are Insurance and Lake and Clubhouse Rent, are expected to rise substantially in 2023.
The Committee are therefore proposing that the membership subscription rates for 2023 will be increased as follows:
Senior Membership: Increase from £30 to £35
Family Membership: Increase from £40 to £45
Concession Rate: Increase from £25 to £30
The existing Joining Fee of £10 will remain unchanged.
These subscription increases are subject to ratification at the AGM, when a formal proposal will be presented for approval by the membership.
Annual General Meeting and Prize Giving
The Annual General meeting of the Club will be held Wednesday December 14, at 7.30 p.m. in the Clubhouse, when Officers' Reports for the last year will be presented, the election of Officers and Committee for the next year will be take place, the annual accounts will be presented and other formal business will be transacted.
Nominations for Officers and Members of the Committee are invited, and should be sent to the Commodore, John Berry. The Committee needs new, younger members to ensure the continuing prosperity of the Club, as most of the existing Committee will not be able to continue in post for much longer. Any member interested in taking a role in the running of the Club should make their interest known to the Commodore.
The evening will also feature the presentation of trophies and awards for winners and runners-up of the various sailing and model construction competitions held during the year.
All members are urged to attend the AGM, the last Club meeting of the current year.
Mince pies will be served, and there will be a raffle.
Boat Judging
A reminder to all members considering entering any of the annual competitions this year.
Boat judging will take place, on the landing stage, on Sunday 30 October, at 10.00 a.m.
We will probably not be able to use the Clubhouse on that day, so come prepared for inclement weather.
Quiz and Hot Pot - Change of Date
Owing to turmoil in and around the Clubhouse caused by preparations for the Sailing Club's "Lights on the Water" event on 12 November, it has been decided that the forthcoming Quiz and Hot Pot night, originally scheduled for Wednesday 26 October, will now take place on Wednesday 23 November instead, when it is hoped that Clubhouse access will have reverted to normality.
A New Modelling Book !
Some of you may remember that, about a year ago, the Club was contacted by a book publisher looking for a potential author for a new book on model boat construction, which they were planning to publish.
Gordon Longworth, one of our elder statesman members, took up the challenge and the resulting tome is being published in a couple of weeks, on October 24.
Gordon says: " It is really aimed at newcomers, but there may be something in there that will interest more experienced modellers, even if it is only to have a laugh at some of my ideas".
The book is published by Crowood Press, and is available from Amazon as a paperback [£ 20] or on Kindle [£18], as well as the usual high street booksellers.
