HRSC | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Helford River Sailing Club will be held at the Clubhouse at 19.30 hrs on Friday 26th January 2024
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Helford River Sailing Club will be held at the Clubhouse at 19.30 hrs on Friday 26th January 2024
Poorly marked lobster pots and fishing gear are a hazard to coastal sailors. Fishermen, too, report the loss of expensive gear as a result of entanglements. In one year alone the RNLI has dealt with 295 incidents of fouled propellers, and many encounters go unreported.
Saturday 13th May from 6.30pm.
A great opportunity to meet Liz Fenwick, hear her talk about her new release ‘The Secret Shore’, and grab yourself a copy, hot off the press. Book yourself a table for food while you’re here!
Here is what to expect … “As one of the Navy’s most skilled mapmakers, Merry knows the very lives of men far away depend on her work in the War Office.
But when a family crisis draws her back to her beloved Cornwall, Merry finds herself working alongside an enigmatic American officer on secret operations spanning the rugged coasts of Cornwall and Brittany which she knows so well.
But not everything is as clear as the maps she draws. As rumours and suspicion swirl around her family, Merry is increasingly drawn to Jake, despite the defences she’s built around her heart. It’s a dangerous time to fall in love when there is everything to lose as the tides of war are rising…
The award-winning author Liz Fenwick returns with a glorious, sweeping novel full of intrigue and passion.”
Rodney Myers has been in touch with the club to advise us that Johnny Blunden died aged 99 on his 99th birthday in early February.
Johnny was a founder member of the club in 1948. Rodney Myers and his sister Jane will be attending his funeral on March 4th at 2pm at Urchfont village church.
Rodney has kindly sent us these memories and a photo of Johnny to share with you, the members of HRSC.
The club was formed by a small bunch of enthusiasts in 1948 when Culdrose Air Station opened. They were very helpful & used to race their whalers on the Helford. The group who got the club started were Mr Kirby, Johnny Blunden, Bets Williams (then Betty Danby) Mary Gardiner, Peter Danby & Robin Momber. Bets is the sole survivor now. She was 19 years old in 1948 & now lives in Constantine, having lost 2 husbands. The committee originally met in a room at Selangor, Bar Road, where Bets lived with John Edwards (they were married). They needed more space, so my parents invited them to come to Trewince for meetings & social occasions & they got very involved in the development of HRSC. Johnny was a pilot at Culdrose flying Venoms & other prop planes & jets such as the Sea Vixen. He became great chums with my parents who sailed & raced an old gaff cutter called Otter. There is a framed photo of Otter in the club.
Trewince Hotel became almost a second mess for the young officers & Saturday nights was food, drink, dancing & party time. Several unfit to return to base so the large sofas were often occupied until breakfast time!
As a youngster Blunden was a bit of a hero for being a pilot of a jet, plus he had a lovely old Riley with running boards (always breaking down) plus he was a good sailor & became a huge family friend. He was Godfather to my younger sister who was christened at Culdrose. So, a long association & I last met him a few months ago on our way up country for a pub lunch.
Best Wishes to you & the club.
Rodney
Now that most of the boats and yachts are on dry land for safety over the winter season, and waiting for repairs and servicing to be done before launching again for next summer which I hope goes well for all Members, we have time to reflect on the season which hopefully we have all enjoyed.
The Club has been very popular this year and our new stewards have done extremely well. Word has been spreading up and down the coast about the great atmosphere and food at the Club. As a result of this we have had visits from many visiting yachtsmen and women, other sailing clubs and South West Gaffers to name but a few, all enjoying the Club facilities. Members have also been making the Club really busy this year, so much so that it has been necessary to buy extra seating for the balcony. Not only have the clubhouse and balcony been really busy but all the activities the Club runs have gone very well this season. Our Social Committee has arranged a really good social calendar for 2017/2018 and Members should keep a close eye on the Club emails and also this Newsletter for details. The ladies on the Social Committee have done us proud this year.
You will see from this Newsletter that all Membership, Mooring and Berthing fees will increase for 2018. Last year the fees were not increased because of the poor service offered to Members due to the lack of stewards. The increase for next year is to keep in line with inflation and more importantly to keep the Club on a sound financial footing. If you look around at the other local sailing clubs you will find that they do not offer as many activities or sailing boats that can be used free of charge, so that Members still have a good deal financially. In order to secure any stewards for this year the Club had to subsidise them as another year without stewards would have badly damaged the Club’s reputation and been a financial disaster. As the Club has been extremely busy this summer the Committee feels that it was a good decision. The winter season is also always difficult for stewards to make a living and they lose most of the profit made in the summer, thus the need for a subsidy. This arrangement is however up for negotiation in December.
As from the AGM on 19th January 2018 you will have a new Commodore who I hope will enjoy the job as much as I have and I am sure he or she will make a great success of it. All is looking good for 2018 here at the Club and better weather next summer would be a bonus.
Finally I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a successful New Year.
Mark Buckley – Commodore
For a trial period of 7 weeks, well-behaved dogs on a lead are allowed in the bar area. Please use the balcony entrance. Misbehaving dogs may be asked to leave at the discretion of The Stewards or a Committee member.