WINTER NEWSLETTER - JANAUARY 2013

Transcription

1 Wivenhoe and Rowhedge Yacht Owners Association WINTER NEWSLETTER - JANAUARY 2013 Cut-Out-and-Keep WRYOA Events for 2013 EVENT DATE TITLE LOCATION Swatchways Talk 2 Feb East Coast Cruising USA Nottage Maritime Annual General Meeting 3 March AGM Nottage Maritime Photographic Evening 23 March Life at Sea Wivenhoe Sailing Club The Spring Rally May Spring Rally Heybridge Basin then Tollesbury Marina The Gooseberry Pie Rally June Gooseberry Pie Levington Rally The Autumn Rally 7 September Autumn Rally Bradwell First Winter Talk 19 Oct 2013 To be confirmed Second Winter Talk 9 Nov 2013 To be confirmed Nottage Maritime Nottage Maritime

2 WINTER EVENT REPORTS: MARITIME TALKS Jolene in the Caribbean By Bernie Heatherington on 27 th October First up was Bernie Hetherington to reminisce about the 1996 cruise when he and Midge, with Mick and Myrna Goody, crewed for Guy and Julie Ward on Jolene from Quay West in Florida to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Bernie described a fairly strenuous voyage of well over 1,000 NM, largely trying to make headway against the prevailing trade winds and visiting a variety of different islands with different cultures: Great Inagua, where they could not get water, apparently because of two funerals; the Dominican Republic ("a nightmare"); and Puerto Rico("lovely"). A memorable story, well told by Bernie. Square Riggers in the Åland Islands By Mike & Liz Taylor-Jones on 17 th November They set off with a bad forecast and were forced to shelter from a severe gale in the Dutch Friesian Islands, but then sailed non-stop via the Skagerak to Gothenburg, and from there through the rivers lakes and canals of Sweden out into the Baltic Sea. It was then just a few easy day sails north to Mariehamn, capital of the Aland Isles. They returned via Stockholm, down the Baltic, through the Kiel Canal and through Holland, a varied three months cruise. After the break Mike told the story of Gustav Erikson and the fleet of square rigged ships he ran out of Mariehamn in the 1920s and 1930s, mainly engaged in the grain trade from Australia. By 1935, Erikson owned 15 of these ships, most of the World's surviving fleet. One, the Pommern, still survives in her original condition as a floating museum. Liz and Mike found her so fascinating that they spent two days crawling all over her. Mike wound up by showing a short film of the Pommern's 1936 voyage to Australia and back via Cape Horn with 4,000 tons of grain- a very atmospheric reminder of a vanished era. ANNUAL DINNER The annual dinner started well enough with drinks served amongst the Nottage Dinghies. We then moved upstairs and took up positions at our allocated eating stations in line with the plan...

3 Soon after finishing up, our guest speaker Jimmy Lawrence was introduced by his old friend Frank Thompson. A few good stories were told on the simple pleasures of boys getting afloat and crewing barges up to London. Jimmy then recited the shipping forecast as he had (apparently) heard from his car radio whilst tuned into Radio Suffolk, which was excellent. Our past Chairman Chris Guy then responded as the member s speaker. Prize giving followed and this year as well as the usual sailing prizes, there were also special prizes for David and Faith Tippet and also to Guy and Julie Ward for their great support to the association over the years. Then with the formalities complete, the evening continued with port, cheese & biscuits and with people mingling and chatting. REMAINING WINTER EVENTS SWATCHWAYS East Coast Cruising - USA Roger Walker will give an account of his cruising experiences on the east coast waterways of the United States of America. The Nottage Maritime Saturday 2 nd February, 8pm THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Nottage Maritime Sunday 3rd March, 11.45am (Agenda and forms will be distributed next month) THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVENING Life at Sea Wivenhoe Sailing Club Saturday 23rd March, 8pm SPRING & SUMMER EVENTS for 2013 (details and forms will follow later in the year) THE SPRING RALLY Heybridge Basin on Saturday followed by Tollesbury Marina on Sunday 25 th & 26 th May THE GOOSEBERRY PIE RALLY Levington 22 nd & 23 rd June THE AUTUMN RALLY Bradwell 7 th September

4 RIVER NEWS (provided by Bernie Hetherington): River Blackwater: Work was being done on the Power station Baffle. Remediation had been ordered for the restoration of the Osea Island causeway, where an attempt had been made to raise the level, causing a hazard to navigation. Marine Harbour Bill. A new bill was being put through Parliament giving increased power to harbour authorities to create their own regulations relating to safety and harbour management without the need, and expense, of new bye-laws. There was opposition from the RYA. TRIBUTE TO FRANK THOMPSON Frank, always an active member of our association, passed away recently. The tribute below by his daughter Rosemary describes some of his life: Frank was born in Dulwich on 9 th July 1921 to Frank, a provision merchant, and Violet, daughter of Alfred Tishy Clark, landlord of the Jolly Sailor in Heybridge Basin where he was christened. Frank s father died in 1927 he & his mother stayed in the Basin, where Frank attended school. Moving back to West Norwood, Frank attended prep school & Dulwich College & in 1938 matriculated with Credit. Frank obtained a City job in Insurance. He tolerated London but escaped back to the Basin whenever possible, itching to get back to his beloved boats & barges. When war was declared, Frank s firm was evacuated to Great Missenden & there he joined the Local Defense Volunteer Force; revisiting these places recently. In 1941 Frank was called up in the navy. He served as a gunner on a minesweeper, sailing round Africa, Persian Gulf to Ceylon where he was stationed for 18 months. He ended the war on a Russian Convoy to Murmansk & then the VE parade in Norway. Frank met Kathleen at Dulwich Tennis club & they were married on 7 tth January 1950, firstly at registry office & afterwards in Dulwich College Chapel, conducted by Kathleen s brother. They moved to Colchester spending holidays crewing on the barges for their friends Stan & Chick Yeates. Patricia was born in May 1952 & Rosemary in July In 1963, he joined the racing crew of the Edith May under Jack Spitty & afterwards with Headley Farrington on the Mirosa & Redoubtable.

5 After his mother died in 1967, Frank enrolled on navigation & knots classes at the Nottage in Wivenhoe & afterwards taught the knots courses. He bought Moonshine & joined the Wivenhoe sailing club & Yacht Owners making lifelong friends with Ralph Merry. In 1973, Frank & Kathleen moved to Layer & in 1981 retired from Insurance & worked for his barging friend & sail maker, Jimmy Lawrence, finally retiring aged 65. In 1990 Rosemary married John in Layer & Patricia when she became unwell moved back to her parents. They looked after her until she died suddenly in 2004;a great shock to them both. On a happier note, Frank spent his retirement messing about in boats giving talks on barges & the history of Heybridge Basin. He supported Kathleen s swimming & lifesaving teaching & they holidayed in Africa, Sri Lanka and Norway. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2010 & when Kathleen became ill Frank looked after her. With Rosemary & John s help he got to the Nottage Talks & sailing outings. In 2012 emergency hospital admissions occurred first to Kathleen then Frank; Kathleen went into respite care. Frank spent his last month s firstly at Rosemary & John s & then back home living life to the full where his wonderful neighbors kept an eye on him. He was admitted to hospital just before Christmas & after hearing about Rosemary & John s Christmas dinner with Kathleen, he drank his favorite can of Guinness & passed peacefully away on Boxing day, exactly 80 years after his grandfather, Tishy Clark. Frank had a real zest for life & always with that little twinkle in his eye. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Please remember that the membership renewals are due at the end of January on what must be the best value club, with fees of still only 5 per annum! Paying by standing order helps our membership secretary no end, Standing Order forms are available on the club web site APPEAL TO MEMBERS We are always keen to hear from members and are open to suggestions; in particular if you would like to serve on the committee or know of potential new members, please contact me at the address below.

6 LOG YOUR ACTIVITIES Can I ask everyone to think about logging their sailing experiences both local and afar this year with the Newsletter, the Maritime Talks, the Swatchways and the Photographic Evening in mind. I would love to see more contributions from members. The theme for the Photographic competition this year is Life at Sea. Phil chair@wryoa.org.uk