 Commodore's April Newsletter |
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A warm welcome to the 2001 sailing season. All of us are looking forward to this year’s offering of sun, wind and entertainment with great enthusiasm. Uppermost in our minds is the opportunity to once again escape to the delights of skimming across crystal clear waters at Hythe. As usual, there is much to do behind the scenes to maintain and improve the opportunities available to members throughout this year and beyond. Rational for the 2001 changes to membership subscription NEW for 2001 COST SAVING for family membership. In order to promote family members by keeping costs to a minimum, Family membership should now include all dependents under the age of 18 (previously under 14). Due to a clerical error this information was not available on earlier application forms. (Please contact Boyd Garrard if you have reason to believe you should receive a rebate for any dependents aged between 14 and 18) REMINDER- again! Membership at HSSC continues to be extremely ‘cheap’ for what is an excellent facility which enables members to enjoy unlimited access to sailing facilities, 365 days a year and at all states of tide. In order to maintain the club membership rates at a level accessible to a wide spectrum of the local community we have endeavoured to keep subscriptions as low as possible. For that reason, apart from a cleaner (Twice weekly in sailing season), we do not employ full time staff nor outside contractors for routine maintenance or activities. It follows that the range of social, training and sailing events is entirely dependent on the voluntary contribution of individual members. In short, the committee upholds the view of most members, expressed at this year’s AGM, that club members contributing to the continuing success of our organisation is both essential and desirable. However, we recognise that some members, for whatever reason, are unable to make this commitment. It has been the recent practice to offer an opt-out clause of a nominal charge of £10.00 per duty. The Club membership have agreed with The Committee that this option could not be sustained, due to the punitive measures required on The Committee to charge those members not completing duties during the year. There has been a nominal increase in membership fees this year to compensate for this loss in revenue. However it is therefore imperative that we continue to involve a greater proportion of the club membership in supporting the club’s activities in order to avoid the route taken by many clubs. Which has been to significantly increase the membership fees and employ outside contractors to maintain and service the club, together with the introduction of a compulsory duty roster for all! Volunteers Required
HSSC Club Training Night Following the successful HSSC Club Training Night at Dover Water Sports Centre further training courses have been arranged at a significant discount for club members. "The sheltered waters" range of training facilities and the necessary qualified instructors make this an ideal location for beginners and for inland water sailors to begin their transition to sailing on the sea at Hythe. We would like as many club members as possible to take advantage of this opportunity to involve both family and friends in sailing or windsurfing. Application forms are available from Boyd Garrard on receipt of membership subscription for 2001. These MUST be received by the end of May. Make Thursday evenings a regular entry feature in your diary now!
To advertise this unique sail-training programme at your place of work or local amenity centre, please contact Mark Brooks for a copy of an A4 sized poster. Special Deal for New members Adults Sailing £40.00 Windsurfing £35.00, under 18 years old Sailing £25.00 Windsurfing £20.00. This is part of a recruitment drive to increase membership, particularly on the sailing side. So if you know someone who could be persuaded to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, encourage them to join now! Why not join as a family member and get a training course for one adult and one child free? Family membership £85.00. Additional places for family members What else can you look forward to? There is a varied programme of social and sporting events this year for children, adults, explorers, land speed-sailing enthusiasts etc. Due to the ever increasing popularity of successful HSSC events The Committee have been inspired this year to bring you a new and exciting range of opportunities. See our Social Calendar and Main Calendar for full details. Forthcoming Highlights:
Favourites:
It is hoped to add to this programme as the season progresses so keep your eye on the notice board or the club’s Internet site for up-to-date information. Any members who have an interesting idea for the club social programme and are willing to organise an event, or members wishing to hold their own social events at the club should contact the HSSC social secretaries, Chris Rutt sdbrutt@dial.pipex.com or Maura Cowell. Affiliate Membership at DWSC This year HSSC membership also qualifies you for affiliate membership of the Dover Water Sports Centre. This enables our members to hire (Subject to DWS operational requirements & satisfactory sailing experience) sailing dinghies. Members wishing to exercise this option should contact Paul Hope at Dover. New rescue boat and board storage A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into the planning and building of a new rescue boat storage facility in the Boat Park which now houses all the new windsurfing boards. The fitting of new board storage racks in the garage, to accommodate new members, is planned for 2001. New Extension to Clubhouse – progress report Thanks to the tireless efforts of Marc Carney, planning permission is being sought for a substantial extension to the clubhouse. However, we have met with significant obstacles and as a consequence, the need to meet more detailed planning requirements and building regulations. We are committed to the expansion of current facilities Watch this space! NEW Video Cam for HSSC Very shortly we hope to have a video cam installed at HSSC by Boatastic.com, thanks to the influence of Graeme Fuller. Check out HSSC.net for live pictures of your mates out sailing when you are at work! NEW - windsurfing simulators The club has had two windsurfing simulators specially designed and made for the 2001 season, thanks to Eric Petts and Roger. NEW book/video library There will also be a range of the latest RYA books, videos etc for 2001, catering for all sailing abilities and interest levels thanks to a Shepway Council Grant. We would be very grateful to anyone wishing to donate any similar training/information/interest materials in good condition, which would be of interest to club members. Launching Ramp Facilities up-date Negotiations continue with Shepway Council for the restoration of a Launching ramp for HSSC club members. A recent confirmation of plans to build a new rock groin near to Stade Street has re-opened discussions. Costings are being prepared for alternative designs and further support is being sort from a Local County Councillor. RYA / Volvo Champion Club up-date We now have an official sponsor – Lipscomb Garage Ashford. We look forward to negotiating financial support from this company in 2001. Exclusive discounts on Volvo cars are also available to members as part of the package! Details to follow. Our best wishes are extended to all our HSSC members for a wonderful, exciting and enjoyable year ahead. Mark Brooks HSSC Commodore |
