Commodore's Newsletter - September/October 2007.

This year our normally benign inland waterways system, from which we all derive such pleasure throughout the year, has shown that it can be dangerous and destructive when the mood takes it.  Our TV screens have been full of pictures of flooded towns and canals, fast overflowing rivers with boats and people in trouble. Commiserations to those of you who chose to go away in July and had their plans thwarted by the weather.  Given the speed with which our sophisticated technical systems and defences were so easily breached, it simply proves that we can’t tame nature, only tamper with it.

On a happier note I can report that we had a lovely time at the Wine Cruise weekend on the 4^th August, see write-up elsewhere.

Just a brief reminder of some of the events still to come in the next few weeks.  By the time you receive this we shall most probably have experienced the fourth Commodore’s day out at Chatsworth Country fair on September 1^st, and almost certainly the August BBQ weekend will be behind us.  Still to come however is the Bowling Weekend at Lyme Green on the weekend 8^th/9^th September.  In fact for those who can do so, we shall be sailing to Fool’s Nook on the Friday 7th for a BBQ, then coming back to Lyme Green on Saturday where we will have some bowling lanes booked for the evening.

Thursday 4^th October will see the Photo Competition and art show – see the Commodore’s notice board for details of classes of entry.

The (sailing) years last formal sit-down dinner will of course be the Laying up supper on Saturday 20^th October; and my final event will be the combined presentation and new members evening on the 4^th November.  Remember please to return all cups and shields to me by mid September and let me have all “traveller” logs by the third week in September.  The competition rules are fully set out in the members rule book.  In regard to Navigator’s plaques and associated cups, I am extending the “Official Club Cruising events”, for which 10 points each are awarded, to include the two Save Our Waterways events.  i.e. Bugsworth in November 2006 and Macclesfield in March this year. So if you attended both you have an extra 20 points.

Finally, and this is the last thing I shall say in a Commodore’s letter, thank you to those of you who take the trouble to write articles and provide items for the Ditchcrawler.  If you don’t then try to make a resolution to provide at least one item for next year – for example there must be some interesting traveller’s tales out there from those of you that were out in July, so let’s hear about them.

Thank you for your support in the 2006/7 season.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore

Commodore's Newsletter - July/August 2007.

The cruising season is well underway; the Commodore’s cruises are behind us; many members are still away in far flung parts of the canal system, so what remains on the programme? – well quite a few things if you refer to the “dates for your diary” – another Commodore’s day out, the wine cruise, BBQ etc. etc. so don’t lose contact with all the activities still to come.

Please note one programme change in that I am substituting another sailing event in place of the NCCC Open day/Family day billed for September 8^th.  The original purpose of having an open day was to advertise the club to the local population, but given the high degree of local participation we have seen in many of this year’s social events I think that the NCCC is already firmly on the map.  So instead we will be having a BBQ and bowling weekend at Fools Nook/Lyme Green on the 8/9^th September.

Also you may like to note that this year the Presentation Evening (Saturday 3^rd November) will also be an evening for new members, as we thought it an excellent opportunity for new members to find out about the sorts of thing we get up to.

Thank you for the support you gave to the Scottish Evening that we held back in May, you will be pleased to know that we raised a superb £700 for St. Ann’s Hospice.  Clearly the haggis supper went down well, as it’s the only event we have had so far this year at which all the plates came back with no leftovers!

The club’s turnout for Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club’s 50^th Anniversary was so good that we were awarded the plaque for the most numbers present, so well done everyone who attended.  See elsewhere for a fuller write up.  Thank you also to the select few who then continued on the Commodore’s Cruise part two around the 4 Counties and (in our case) several other canal & river systems.  We were fortunate in enjoying some very pleasant weather.

Finally a couple of items of interest that I am bringing to your attention:-

Firstly:  Acorn Engineering – one of our faithful longstanding Ditchcrawler advertisers – has now moved premises.  The firm has relocated to Warble Wharf on the Lower Peak Forest Canal.  Anyone familiar with their former premises will think this a wise move as I understand they were in a state of collapse!  By road you would get to the wharf via the Shepley Industrial Estate.

Secondly:  Claire Webster (Rowton Moor) has an item on the computer bulletin concerning her intention to navigate the Manchester Ship Canal and, if anyone else wants to go, has negotiated a bulk deal for the requisite MSC boat survey. Contact Claire if you are interested.

Pleasant sailing to you all.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore

Commodore's Newsletter - June 2007.

The year’s events continue to drop off the calendar.  At the beginning of May we had the competition weekend at Bugsworth Basin.  The promise of fair weather attracted an exceptionally good turnout of 41 boats for the early May Bank Holiday cruise and competition weekend held at Bugsworth Basin.

On Monday 14^th May several of us, including a good number of retired (from boating) members. had an afternoon cream tea cruise on the Judith Mary, and a good time was had by all.

Sadly I had to cancel the St. George’s Night event in April, because the number of names on the list didn’t make it a viable event.  We had a live band booked as well as external caterers, and obviously it would have been unfair to have left it to the last minute to cancel these.  The irony is that quite a few people told me afterwards that they had been intending to put names down on the list, sufficient in fact to have made it a viable event!  So the moral of that is, don’t leave it too late to put your names down on the list!

No problem like that in regard to the next Commodore’s Day Out – the list for the Manchester Ship Canal list filled up almost as soon as I had put it up on the board.

At the time of writing this letter, we have still to undertake the two Commodore’s Cruises. The first of these, at Endon for the Stoke on Trent BC 50^th Anniversary has an absolutely splendid turnout from the NCCC. I’m sure that it will a super event, and I hope everyone had the opportunity to see the presentation boat stool that we gave to the SBC in honour of the occasion.  The decorative paintwork that Ken Ogden carried out on this was a wonder.

As I said in the last Ditchcrawler, after the Endon weekend I shall be cruising the Four Counties ring clockwise, and I hope that a few of you will have joined me.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore

Commodore's Newsletter - May 2007.

So many club events have taken place in the past few weeks, as we make the transition from the “closed” to the “open” season that it seems to me to have been almost one long continuous process. Our house has never been so full of all the bits and pieces needed for all the different events.

Our fitting out supper on March 17^th was very well attended, and we had an excellent “in-house” catered meal as well as very good entertainment from Karl Palmer.  The event was even more special as it was the first time we had used the new furniture and benefited from the newly decorated and carpeted function room.  Many thanks to all those who made this possible and helped the evening to be so enjoyable.

On the following day we set out on the memorable Commodore’s opening cruise.  Quite why it was memorable you will see from the writeup elsewhere in the magazine.  Suffice to say that we were glad to get back to the clubhouse.

Our first Commodore’s day out – which was in fact a weekend away over 31^st March/1^st April saw us heading off to Yorkshire to sample the delights of the Black Sheep Brewery at Masham.  This also has a fuller write-up elsewhere.

The traditional Easter Cruise, to Whiteley Green, was blessed with beautiful weather that only started to break up as we came away on the Monday, so obviously this was to make up for the rather different conditions of the Commodore’s cruise.

We are now fairly well launched into the sailing season.  Our Commodore’s cruises start this month (see elsewhere), and I will just take this opportunity to mention a couple of other items of interest.

Firstly, the next Commodore’s day out will be a cruise on the Manchester Ship Canal on Sunday July 1^st.  We are not taking our own boats (as one member thought) – someone else is driving in a big boat!  The trip to Liverpool from Salford takes 6 hours, with a stopover in Liverpool for sightseeing, shopping etc.  Afterwards we are bussed back to the starting point. See the notice on the Commodore’s board for more details.

Secondly, on May 12^th, the club has generously donated free use of the club room for a private function I am organising in aid of St. Anne’s Hospice.  It will be a “Fun Scottish Evening”, so contact me for tickets if you are interested.

Please enjoy all the club events during the summer, as well as your own cruising.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore

Commodore's Newsletter - April 2007. 

I’m pleased to report that the Save Our Waterways campaign is still going strong, despite it’s unusual acronym.  The recent event at Macclesfield on March 3^rd created quite a bit of press interest, doubtless because it was blessed by the presence of Sir Nicholas & Lady Winterton as well as VIP’s from British Waterways and the Angling Association.  Both Sir Nicholas and Lady Ann made short but very relevant speeches.  Sir Nicholas pointed out that it isn’t “Government money” that is being squandered to Europe, but our money – and it should be spent here.  Lady Ann made some very pithy comments about DEFRA that I had probably best not put into print.

In the morning we were collecting petitions in front of Macclesfield Town hall, and received a lot of support from local people.  Susan spoke to one lady whose husband had worked on the canal from leaving school at 14 until he retired.  He was a mason and each week walked from Marple to Kidsgrove reporting on the bridges and stone structures.  Then in the afternoon we did a proper canal blockade in front of the Puss-in Boots. It must have looked realistic because one local resident called the police.

In all, a very successful event, and my thanks to club members who attended.  These included the following boats: Rainbow; La Peniche; Esmerelda and Louis D’Or, as well as Lorna, Phil, Big Al, Lesley and Bert who came by car.  Tim Dawson was there wearing Canal Society and NCCC hats, and Sir Nicholas also referred to his own association with both organisations.  (As usual, my apologies if I have missed anyone).The next SOW event will be sometime in the summer, so hopefully even more people will be able to attend.

In my March newsletter I made only a brief reference to the Nostalgia night held on 15^th February.  This was because the newsletter had to be submitted before the event took place.  However, I make no apology for mentioning it again.  It was a splendid evening and it was lovely to see such a lot of people in addition to the regular Thursday nighters.  Thanks to all who made contributions, especially of course Noel Christopher and John Suggitt.  Also to Chris Potter who showed us that fascinating cine film of the 1966 Marple Boat Festival.  It makes you understand  that the NCCC has a long and very worthy tradition.

A few people have spoken to me and expressed interest in my proposed outing for retired (from boating) members, and so I am going to book a dozen places on a Judith Mary “Cream Tea Cruise” in May. (By the time this is in print we will have fixed the date).  The club is contributing the proceeds of the Christmas Party tombola towards the cost of the trip.

Forthcoming events include the Easter Cruise to Whiteley Green – usual Easter Bonnet/Tie & decorated eggs competitions. Our last social event until after the summer cruising season will be a new departure – namely a St. George’s night event on Saturday 21^st April.  It will be a fun evening on a medieval theme, so start thinking about your fancy dress.  The medieval period started with the Normans and ended with the Tudors, so there is plenty to choose from.

See you on the cut.

Information about club events and lots more can be found here.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore

Commodore's Newsletter - March 2007. 

The cruising season is nearly here, thank goodness, it will soon be time to spruce up the boat and look out the burgee for our opening cruise to Adlington on Sunday 18^th March.  This will be followed as usual by a lunch at the clubhouse.

The autumn and winter events seem to have passed by very quickly, finishing with a very enjoyable and well attended Valentine’s event when we were entertained by the lovely Janice Lacey – now I think a very firm favourite of the members.  The club room looked magnificent, many thanks to all who helped in the preparation and clearing away the next day in time for the Auction, which was also very successful.

Our first spring social event is of course the Fitting Out Supper on Saturday 17^th March, while later on in April we will be having a St. George’s Night.  The theme for this latter event will be “medieval”, so get thinking!

My thanks to John Suggitt and Noel Christopher for organising the Nostalgia Night on 15^th February.  As well as being something of considerable interest to everyone, it has given a strong impetus to the work that Noel is doing to bring the club archives up to date.

The next local Save Our Waterways event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 3^rd March, and will probably have happened by the time you read this.  It will (or did) involve a gathering of boats at Macclesfield canal centre fronting the Hovis Mill.  Sir Nicholas Winterton is expected to be there, along with representatives of other canal interests like ramblers and anglers.

Around 20 or so club boats have signed up for the Commodore’s trip to the Stoke Boat Club 50^th anniversary on the last May weekend, so it looks as though the NCCC will have a significant presence at the event.  It’s possible that there is room for more if anyone who would like to go and hasn’t yet signed up.  I can give you the SBC contact if needed.

In regard to the Liverpool Maritime Heritage trip in June, I am pleased that several of us have been successful in our application to BW to be among the 120 boats to lock out of Stanley Dock onto the Mersey.  We each have some formidable looking paperwork to complete, and will have attended a meeting at the club on Wednesday 14^th February to sort out our itinery and see how to fit it in with the trip to Stoke BC.

As you will be aware, at present there are canal closures at Marple, which BW hopes will have cleared by April.  It is possible however that our early season club cruises may have to be in a westerly direction.  Certainly this is my intention with the Easter Cruise, which takes place on the weekend 6-9^th April and which will be to Whiteley Green.  The usual Easter Bonnet and Tie; and Decorated egg competitions will take place, but I have decided that the Green will be a raffle free zone for the weekend. Assuming that the canal does then become clear in April, we should then be able to hold the competition weekend (5-7^th May) at Bugsworth.

Whilst mentioning Whiteley Green, it is pretty clear that pressure there for moorings at club events becomes ever greater, so I am adding two more requests to the mooring rules that already exist.  First, moor up as close as you can to allow as many boats as possible on to the mooring.  Second, no bagging or reserving spaces, either for yourself or others – strictly first come first served.  (You will of course be familiar with the existing rule that does not allow boats to be left unattended at the mooring overnight).  The only exception to the no reservation rule is that for some events it may be necessary to hold spaces for boats that are bringing equipment for the event and need space to unload.

Have a great cruising season.

Information about club events and lots more can be found here.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore

 

Commodore's Newsletter - January 2007.

Dear Members

Well here we are well launched into the season, with some “bring a person” and “bring a boat” events behind us already.  Depending upon when you read this, our first New Years eve “bring a picnic” may also be history.

Such a lot has happened in a short time it’s hard to know where to begin.  Both the Sailing Officer’s Dance and the Christmas Party were lovely events, with plenty of good food and entertainment.  Many thanks for all your support and make sure you get your name down for our future social events.

Our first sailing event, rather unexpectedly, took place on the 25^th/26^th of November, and comprised our participation in the “Save our waterways” weekend.  There is a full write up of the event elsewhere in the magazine, suffice to say here that the event was well supported by club members, so thanks again.  The campaign continues, so hang on to your banners and placards, and remember to get signatures on the petition – more forms are available in the clubroom.

The Brass Band night arranged as usual by Brian

Then of course we had the Boxing Day cruise.

As previously announced at both the Sailing Officer’s Dance and at club evenings, I am changing the arrangements for the Commodore’s cruise to take advantage of the Liverpool Maritime Heritage event taking place in June 2007.  We will however still be visiting the Stoke Boat Club for their Golden Jubilee weekend at the end of May.  More details are given elsewhere in this magazine, but note that if you wish to go to either or both, you will have to register your boat for each event.

Finally a brief plug for other Sailing Officers’ events, namely the Games Nights being arranged by John (Vice) and Pam commencing on Friday January 5th; and the Nostalgia Evening that John (Rear) is arranging in concert with Noel Christopher to take place on Thursday February 15^th. (see separate item regarding the latter event) 

Also check the diary list for other events. Oh, and don’t forget the Boxing Day cruise.

Happy New Year from Susan and me.

All the information about club events and lots more can be found here.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or

Commodore's Newsletter - December 2006.

Dear Members

This is my first Commodore’s letter proper, and Susan and I thank everyone for their support and expressions of good wishes for the forthcoming year.  I should also like to thank those who have held this post in the past and have offered me help and support.  As usual the season’s programme of events contains a good sprinkling of winter socials and summer sailings, so I hope that everyone finds it enjoyable.

I trust that you have all had a good sailing season this year – we seem to have met a good many of you on our trips down the Macc and beyond.  Our last long trip was a fairly arduous sprint around the Leicester Ring, which was most enjoyable.  The river stretches were lovely, especially the Soar with its glorious views of the rolling East Midlands countryside in the autumn sunshine.   We had a bit of bother with some yobs in the Leicester area, and it was interesting to note that according to L. T. C. Rolt in his book “Narrow Boat” he had a similar experience when he was sailing through there about 60 years ago – some things don’t change!

I am delighted that we have a full team of sailing officers and would like to thank John and Pam and John and Pam for their commitment – as I said at the AGM, we shall have to find ways around this names confusion!  Whatever, I’m sure it will be a great year.

Rather to my surprise, I find myself organizing a sailing event already, as the club has been asked to participate in the Save our Waterways campaign, involving a weekend of action on the 25^th/26^th November.  The proposal is for a large number of boats to converge on Bugsworth Basin with the idea of making a statement and providing photo opportunities etc.  It’s all a bit sketchy as I write this, but it will probably be history by the time you read it. The campaign will of course continue, and it is very much in all our interests that it is successful in moderating the Government’s attitude regarding the funding of our canals and waterways.

I think I had better draw a veil over the latter part of the AGM, except to say that those are the kinds of thing that tend to occur at AGMs.  The main thing is to remember that we are a club where everyone is valued.

Every best wish to you all for the year ahead and we both look forward to seeing you at our events. For further details of any of the events please don’t hesitate to email

All the information about club events and lots more can be found here.

Richard Yorke - Louis D’Or