From the Commodore
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October 2016 From The Commodore As we approach our last month of sea sailing we move to that time of reflection and preparation for the coming winter series. This year the weather has not been our friend and a number of races got ‘blown off’ on the sea. Let’s hope that the trend does not continue into the winter with strong winds, ice or even feet of snow. As I write this (always at the last minute) the last WOW (Women On Water) has just taken place. There’s been a successful run of Thursday nights conducted by Penelope Duncan assisted by throttle- man Clive. Our family of events is growing with the introduction of OBOW (Old Boys On the Water) that runs Friday mornings, so maybe those women will pop-down if free and meet the Old Boys and get back on the water. It’s a bit like running a dating agency (I imagine). There has been, and continues to be, a good run of people learning to sail or drive power- boats with courses in both currently underway. There is still plenty of space on the pond on a Saturday afternoon, so if free pop-down and get afloat. September saw the largest fleet of club boats launched for Bart’s Bash and there were over 30 out this year. The results are on the website along with the other races held this year. During the month the board has appointed George Cork to the position of Rear Commo- dore Seaford and he has rolled-up those sleeves and already got stuck into urinals, fenc- ing, sewage pumps etc. So the usual baptism of fire. George will put a small piece in Main- sheet next month about himself. A little further into this Mainsheet you will stumble on- to a piece about Nick Blackburn. Both of our Rear Commodores, Nick and George will start to prepare for the traditional working party at the end of October and those members needing to complete duty points 1 will give their full commitment. This leads me back to my article last month, If you have not completed your required number of duty points by 31 December 2016 you will not be allowed to renew with the duty discount. You know who you are and so do I, there are 72 of you still in the position of owing the club and your fellow members your commitment to YOUR club. Those who have completed the required number – Thank you. And for those that have gone above and beyond the call of Duty and ex- ceeded your commitment a HUGE thank you. We still are looking for a sailing secretary with drive, ambition and future vision to mastermind our sailing activity both racing and non-racing. We are a diverse club and a group of people who sail for different reasons. All of these reasons and require- ments need to be taken into account in our programme: racing for those who wish to race and recreational sailing for those that don’t. Maybe a day cruise along the coast to Brighton? However, without a sailing secretary with a vision for the future we will do the same old same old as we have done for the last 60+ years. We have a thriving Cadet section with some great achievements over the last month. Weir Wood last weekend was a great success and one of the many away events this year. We’re planning a special report on what happened for next month’s Mainsheet. I would have attended myself but for the fact I spent time at the Southampton Boat show, starting that trawl for new equipment etc. to put into next year’s budget. Therefore, to open the flood gates by email only, please send your wish list to me with approximate costs so that I can gather your thoughts when budgeting for the year ahead. And finally, we have always made boats available to hire at both Piddinghoe and Sea- ford, but there is a cost of £5.00 per day and this needs to be paid to the Rear Com- modore or the Race Officer who in turn pass it on to the Treasurer. You will receive a receipt if you ask for one. The same goes for Camping on both sites, DO NOT just turn-up and camp. Please make arrangements through the Rear Commodore of the re- spective site, as with using the site for a party there is a fee that needs to be paid to the club. There are lots of Social things coming up, we need a minimum of 50+ for the prize giv- ing dinner (details in this edition), Halloween, & Bonfire to name a few. Enjoy the last sea sailing and get those duty points completed. Stuart Ford Commodore 2 Prize Giving Dinner This year, the Prize Giving Dinner is being held at Seaford Head Golf Club, in their re- cently built new clubhouse, with views over the bay to the harbour. It’s a very pleasant venue that I know many of you have been to already for other events. The date is Saturday 3rd December, 6.30 for 7.00. Tickets are at a cost of £30 each, with black tie preferred but not essential. The full menu is still to be confirmed, but the main course will be a roast with a vegetarian roast option. This event has been held at our clubhouse for the last few years, but we have on occasion been tight for space for the waiting staff to get round and people have had difficulty getting up for their prizes, so this year we thought we would try a venue better-suited for this type of thing. I’m sure we can count on your support. Another advantage is that it’s downhill to get home for anyone living in Seaford – handy after a night’s partying. Tickets are strictly limited to 90, with first option given to those receiving prizes. To book a ticket, please email Rupert at vicecom- [email protected] or text on 07931 565 798. Others will be selling tickets as well, so there will be plenty of opportunity, but please book early to help with organisa- tion and to avoid disappointment. Rupert Smith Vice Commodore 3 Met Metcalfe In September’s Mainsheet the Commodore gave his condolences for the passing of Met Metcalfe at the good age of 92. That sad news had just been received as Mainsheet was going to press. Being new to the club, I never knew Met but by coincidence had seen reference to his passing on the fans’ forum of Brighton and Hove Albion football club. Many Brighton fans remembered him as firm (lots of references to flying board-rubbers!), but fair, when he was their teacher. He encouraged and supported sporting activities and Duke of Edinburgh Award participation. This just shows how far and wide his influence was felt. Ian Johnson recalls Met’s approach to his role at Piddinghoe: “My lasting and personally fond memory of Met was his reluctance to let go of the keys to the sheds and mower at Piddinghoe. He was a tenacious, hard working gentleman and a staunch support of cadets and youth activity. As commodore you would expect to have keys and access to every- thing, not always the case, you have to take into account “men and sheds” and also “men and mechanical stuff”. In my first two years I was not allowed by Met to have keys to Piddinghoe, I wasn’t the first commodore or rear commodore to experience that. Any- way when his health and mobility was failing I went to visit him as I had always got on ok, he came to the door and the first thing he said was “if you’ve come for the keys you’re not having them!” We’ve reproduced on the next page the commendation that was made some years ago for a Lifetime Commitment Award from the RYA. That’s followed by some more pictures of Met. Mainsheet Editor [email protected] 4 Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club RYA Community Awards 2005 Lifetime Commitment Award Met Metcalfe Met Metcalfe is 81 and married to Majorie, who he met when a Student with him in Brighton, in 1948. He was a Teacher of History and PE, initially in Nottingham and then Lincolnshire where he grew up, and from 1974 to 1988 was Deputy Head of a School in Brighton where he retired. Unfortunately Met has no offspring but he has dedicated his life to young people, and this one page does not do justice to his many voluntary hours. He first became involved with the Sailing Club during the 60’s and proceeded to progress through the RYA Dingy Syllabus becoming a qualified Instructor and then a Senior In- structor and taking up the post of Principal of the Sailing School for 3 years in the early 90’s. He taught many people, but in liaison with the Director of Education for the region and a number of other Senior Instructors, schoolchildren were given regular instruction 4/5 evenings a week on around 10 Dinghies at the Club’s Inland Facility at Piddinghoe, and this started in the 70’s and lasted, although declining, to 1996 when it eventually stopped with Met retiring as Chairman of Governors. Met was a member of the Piddinghoe Committee from 1975 until 1994 when it ceased to exist as a Committee, and during this period was involved in general maintenance activities and has been for 20 years, and still is, responsible for the Berthing at the Club (currently close on 100 dinghies).