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Barnt Green Sailing Club - News Archive # 1 "Bittell Banter" the Summer 2007 newsletter of BGSC Club News from the Commodore With the season well under way, it’s good to see that with the recent rain the reservoir is nearly full to capacity. This has helped to make our open meetings very successful along with the excellent way the events have been organised and run. Visitors always comment on how friendly our club is and how well run the meetings are. I would like to thank the Fleet Captains, OOD teams, rescue and galley staff who give up their time to run the Open events. The only slight problem we have had this year is that the Solo Open Trophy has gone missing. We are sure it was presented last year to Jim Hunt but we are not able to ascertain what happened to it after the presentation. If anyone can remember, or has any idea where it may be, please let us know. It is quite a valuable trophy and whilst we may be able to make an insurance claim, the history on it is irreplaceable. In future we will ask all winners of Open events to sign for the trophies and a form on a clipboard is behind the bar for this purpose.
The winning caption...."Just hold it there while I finish the cartoon". The Junior Easter Training was once again a highly successful event with over 50 juniors taking part. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all in excellent weather although the wind was a little light. Leading on from it Katie Hall and Katy Smith have been running the Sunday morning junior training which is going very well and will hopefully pull in more junior members. I would like to thank Mike Powell, James Hall and all the helpers and instructors for giving up their time for the kids and making the event so good and financially worthwhile to the club. With the help of James Hall, we are hoping to organise further adult sailing courses and also powerboat courses. If you are waiting for a course please check that we have you on the list by ringing or emailing Mike Powell (0121 445 2803), James Hall (07974 938625) or myself (0121 447 7656). The Club Open afternoon in April was quite windy but we still managed to take a few visitors onto the water. Once again Rose put on a splendid display and we had a good number of prospective members looking around. Thanks to all members who came along to show people around, serve cream teas and give them trips around the reservoir. Our spring work parties made good progress this year although a little more help would have made the jobs less back breaking. Please support these events as it is the only way we can keep our club running. The dates are always published in the handbook so make sure you support at least one of the autumn work parties. My thanks go to all who helped and especially to Bob Allen for his hard work and for arranging all the materials. As you may well know a contractor has dug out the old pathway and hardcore has been put down ready for tarmacing. I am very pleased to report that thanks to the magic of Carl Taylor, who has the knack of knowing who to apply to and how to apply, we have been successful in obtaining a grant to pay for this work. I will be obtaining quotes shortly for this work and having it carried out in the next few months. Wednesday nights, despite light winds, have been well supported and Fred and Lisa are providing an excellent supper so please book beforehand if possible and remember you no longer have to wash up afterwards!!!!!! Flag Officers day is on the 14th of July when we will be holding the June Lennox Ladies trophy race and also the Richard Murray trophy race. The Ladies Race will be first starting about 1.30pm and the Richard Murray race about 3pm. We hope the weather will be fine and time permitting we will run a junior race and a novices race. On the evening we will finish up with a barbeque to which you are all invited even if you have not sailed so come along and join in the fun. Well that’s about all the news for now apart from saying how successful the Thursday night swimming has been and everyone is welcome to come up and have a look at up to 50 triathletes swimming in the reservoir. For those who have not seen the email about the swimming it is being repeated later in the newsletter. Find out more here.
****************************************** I think we were lucky with the wind for the summer series and Wednesday nights and I can only remember a couple of occasions when it was necessary to paddle in. Unfortunately the water level towards the end of August dropped significantly and a few weeks ago perch bank became visible. I understand that British Waterways are going to close the valve this weekend so if we get some heavy rain it should start to fill up again. We are trying to get better communication with B.W.W. but they are not the easiest of people to deal with or to understand why they open the valve when often the water appears to be flowing over in the canals. Latest update...click here Many of you may know that Ben Solloway and his wife Christine will be retiring at Christmas after 27 years of looking after the Club & grounds.....more. Ben is the third generation of his family to hold this position and the new Keeper will be Fred his son-in-law and Lisa his daughter. We are pleased to welcome them into this job......more. They will be taking over in the New Year and we are hoping to plan a Sunday lunchtime buffet (or an alternative celebration) in January to thank Ben and Christine for their hard work over the years. The Sailing Club is making a financial contribution towards Ben’s retirement but if anyone would like to add a personal donation, please either forward it to me, payable to BGSC, or feel free to make your own arrangements. You may have read in the local press, or received a News Update leaflet on the ‘Future for Longbridge’. This development could have far-reaching effects on our Club and waters. I enclosed a copy of the action plan with the posted newsletter and would urge all members to reply to the questionnaire by 17 Nov. Having discussed this at various meetings, it is felt that if East Works is changed to housing or public Open Space, this could potentially open up a road and pathway into The other area of great threat is the proposed new Longbridge link road to the A441 and M42. As you can see, Option B is through Green Belt and one of the proposals for this is to go through the middle of our reservoirs or close to the north side of The working parties went well and a lot was achieved thanks to Bob Allen for his hard work, his organising of the materials and to all those who turned up. For those who were not able to make it, please remember we can only run the club and keep our subs down by doing some of the maintenance jobs ourselves. I hope you will support the spring work parties. I am pleased to also report that work has now been completed by contractors on a new junior slipway, pictured below, with a much reduced gradient. Unfortunately there has been some damage to the path and slabs but it is hoped we can carry out repairs at future work parties and try and replace the path completely when funds become available.
With regard to training, the junior training in August ran very smoothly and all the kids had a great time. Thanks to Mike Powell and Tom Hall for organising things and all the instructors who helped. We have also run a number of Powerboat courses and adult sailing courses and if anyone is still wishing to do a course please let me know and I will see what can be arranged.
Our Prize giving evening was well supported on Wednesday 25th October and the full list of prizewinners appears here. Our junior sailors are still achieving great success and I understand once again we have good numbers in the Cadet and Optimist RYA Zone Squads. In the last edition of Y&Y I noticed that the Lark Sail4Cancer team won the 24hr race at Please remember we have a full programme of Winter Social events and sailing and the AGM is coming up on the 29th November so please support these events and I would like to thank all the Committee, Officers and Members for their help and support during the past 12 months. Good sailing in the winter series, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stuart. Commodore. The 2006 Summer newsletter has been sponsored by Barnt Green Inn, our local pub and restaurant. Telephone: 0121 445 4949 for table reservations. Visit their website HERE (new page) "Bittell Banter" the summer newsletter of BGSC
The "TOD" Committee boat at the Enterprise Open meeting **** LATEST NEWS JUST IN **** The Cadet Class AGM with Cadet Open Meeting was held at the club on Saturday 11th November in a very brisk wind, almost 30 boats taking part, more info here soon......... The first Autumn working party was well attended and successful....more Shock Horror ! British Waterways have opened the valve again....more
We hosted (2nd/3rd Sept) the Under 21 Enterprise National Championship in very windy conditions, read the Y&Y report here and look at some exciting photo's in our Gallery.........(The report has some errors, race numbers wrong and so on, we'll put our own report up soon) Lark Nationals took place at Penzance sailing club and three boats from BGSC were there. Lark 2496, Steve Cumley & Eluned Jones were 5th (a splendid result). Bob & Kelsey Suggitt in 2467 were 18th and Maia Walsh with novice crew Caroline Stokes in 2463 came 50th out of an entry of 61. Very credible performances, well done to all. A link to a full report will be here soon and the full results list can be viewed here The Glorious Twelfth, most of the usual suspects are away to Salcombe for the annual regatta, we wish them a splendid week of sailing and dining. Brief report: Apparently, they had a good week with the best BGSC performance by Phil Everard. The Ellis's return journey marred by having to travel in a low loader with their car on the back and the enterprise being towed behind! Three Enterprises from BGSC are sailing in the Ent. 2006 50th anniversary World Champs. in Looe, Cornwall, 29th July to 4th August. They are Adrian and Caroline Savage # 22138, Gordon and Rose Padmore # 22428 and Bob Suggitt / Laura Mitchell # 22980. We wish them luck and look forward to a report and pictures soon......They're back now (6th Aug.) and seemed to be in fine health. I hear that Bob is now the Enterprise Veteran World Champion! Well done to him and to Savages and Padmores for surviving some scary conditions. To read the Y&Y report with full results and a gallery slide show click here...... (Opens a new window) The World & European Laser 4.7 Championships took place at the end of June in
Above : Kelsey sailing in a qualifier event prior to the "Worlds" Latest info on the 128 club - click here (Monthly cash draw for subscribing members) First of all, I have to confess what a difficult decision I had in choosing the name for our Newsletter. There were so many good suggestions it wasn’t an easy task. The name I eventually chose, as you can see, was Bittell Banter which I think is a good catchy name and best portrays what we hope to achieve in the Newsletter. There were 2 winners who came up with this name and I congratulate Nick Day and the Secondly, and most importantly can I welcome all our new members to the club and if you need any help or advice please speak to the fleet captains, myself, Rose, Kate or any of the club officers. Most of these members joined as a result of the Open Day so a big thanks to everyone who helped on the day. It may have been wet but the wind was good and the day proved a great success. Time seems to be flying past and already most of the Opens have taken place. A big thank you to the fleet captains and everyone who has helped to make them such a success. We receive many comments from visitors about how much they enjoy the opens, how well they are run and how friendly we are.
The reservoir is now full so if you have not yet got your boat out of mothballs now would be a good time. I have noticed, as have other members, how clear the water has become. It is now possible to see to the bottom from the side. Previously you were lucky if you could see down 3 inches (7.62cm in new money) if any one knows why or whether this is good or bad, I would be interested to know? Our junior members continue to achieve remarkable success with many achieving RYA zone squad status and notable results in national events. In the optimist fleet Jo Powell won a fantastic victory at the Welsh Youth Nationals at Pwllheli. Well done to Jo and all the Barnt Green Juniors who took part. (See fleet pages, Cadet and Optimist for more info) The weather was reasonably good for Easter training and with just a few less children it seemed to run very smoothly. Many thanks to Mike Powell who organised it and all the members who gave their time to help with the running of event. See Training page for more info. |
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Kitchen updated
After much discussion and having overcome a number of obstacles, the upgrading of the kitchen has now been completed to comply with the current regulations. This great improvement to the Club facilities has been admired not only by the Hall family but by many members and visitors alike. Sally, James and Tom Hall, shown above cutting the ribbon to mark the offical opening, put all the facilities through their paces within 24 hours of its completion with the Early Season Party on 5th April, and subsequently, has catered for all the various Class “Open” meetings. If you have not sampled Sally’s culinary delights after sailing on a Wednesday evening, you’re missing a treat. The hot supper, including pudding is excellent value for money at £6.00 per head and if you’re lucky, there’s seconds – F.O.C. To assist Sally with the catering quantities, please order your meal by signing the list in the Clubhouse by Sunday evening or by telephoning her on 01527 878821 no later than Additional comment by webmaster. I should like to mention the enormous amount of help given by Fishing Club Director Geoff Ellis in the task of appointing the installers and overseeing the job, he and our Commodore both gave up loads of their time and energy and deserve a vote of thanks from all members, running this website gives me the opportunity to propose that vote on everyone's behalf. Thank you. RB.
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Ladies (Mandy’s) Mondays We have held three sessions this spring and now have a regular core of rapidly improving girls! We are attempting to learn the rudiments of team racing at the same time as managing Pico's and Lasers. Participants so far have been: Steph Williams, Pat Lewis and Sarah Bown in their 4.7’s, Katy Hall, Karen Millington, Helen Newman and Floss Beckett in their Radials, Pauline Christmas, Charlotte Meyer, Alison Smith and Sophie Christmas sailing their Pico's. On 24th April, we had a very successful evening. The wind held up – just, and 9 of us went afloat. We attempted to team race but we have a long way to go… On the 8th May, there were 6 of us on the water. The rain eased off and held off too! The wind got up from nothing to force 1 and back to about a half. The direction started at northerly, went round into the south and then east, so it was not easy! We raced on a small triangle with abbreviated team racing starts: 2 minute, 1 minute, start. It was remarked that we had made progress compared with last year and can all now get round a course in some semblance of order! We had an excellent session again the following week (15th May). There would have been 9 of us on the water, which is too many for one chap on his own in the rescue boat, given the odd vicious gusts that were about. So I went in the rescue boat too and we attempted to run a team racing session for 3 Laser Radials and 2 - 4.7's, and a piggy in the middle session for 3 Pico's. It didn't quite work out but almost everyone did get round a triangular course and there was even some maneuvering to try and cover 'opposition' boats. Katy Hall in her Laser Radial and Alison Smith in her own Pico were starring but even they were challenged by some of the gusts.
The session on the 23rd May was cancelled by mutual consent as there was too much wind for us at this stage, but homework was given! The main aim of the Monday sessions is to inspire confidence in our sailing ability and it is working! We are all getting much braver! If you have at least ability to RYA level 1 or 2 qualification and want to build up experience or, to brush the rust off old sailing skills, come and join us on Mondays – arrive around For more information contact Mandy Suggitt: Tel: 0121 445 6550 or Email | ||
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Power Boat / Safety Boat Courses
I am pleased to say that we have booked a number of Saturdays with Saturday 17th June Saturday 8th July Power Boat Course £20. (Cancelled) Saturday 19th August Power Boat Course £20. (Was previously on 12th, confirmed as 19th, see below) Saturday 9th Sept & Sat 16th Rescue boat course £70. We may also have some places on a rescue boat course being run on the 24th/25th June which is being run especially for members who help with junior training.
The Annual Bittell Bowl Fishing Competition takes place of the 12th August and there will be NO sailing until after 14.30
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Event Reminder and Thanks
Please remember the Flag officers Day on 1st July and the Ladies race day on 15th July, further information will be published in the clubhouse shortly also, see the Club Events page. Well that’s almost everything from me for now except to say thanks to Robin Brown who is making good progress with the website sailingbarntgreen.com that you are currently viewing. If you have any news or other information you would like posted, please e-mail it to Robin here | ||
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And Finally Enjoy your summer sailing and I hope you have sunshine and good winds.
***STOP PRESS*** Since the Commodore completed his letter to the membership, we have subsequently learnt that British Waterways wish to reduce the water level in | ||
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The extra bits of Bittell Banter....
The RNLI has sent the Club a thank you note after receiving £57.07 from the RNLI collection box – That’s a lot of rescues! May we remind members who seek outside assistance during racing that they are expected to put £1.00 in the lifeboat box! Other donations are also welcomed, you don't have to capsize to donate!
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