Commodore's Clippings February

February 2016 Commodore’s Clippings It is with regret that I inform you that Ken Bourne, a keen sailor who designed and built the clubhouse at Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club has died aged 93. Ken has been a regular visi- tor over the past few years along with Jack Baker coming for Sunday Lunch. There are details of the funeral arrangements and a tribute to Ken inside this issue. The new year gets of to a brisk start with some changes and new ideas. We have Mike with his Dart 15 catamaran at pond, not racing but having fun. The electric supply to Seaford clubhouse, which has given us voltage fluctuation for years has finally been replaced. We have taken the opportunity to lay some ducts in the trench so we can extend an electricity supply if needed. The hunt for Bill’s lost laser rudder and tiller at the pond has the ma- kings of a continuing saga, with ever more ingenious ideas for recovery. Not sure draining it is a realistic option, sorry to disap- point Bill. There are changes to the Galley fran- chisee, Louise and her team take over in February, a new team, new approach and ideas. The Directors have also de- cided to franchise out the bar along with the Galley as a trial, more about that inside. If any members are inter- ested in working for Louise or know anyone who may be then drop in and have a chat. Laurence has a bus trip planned to the Dinghy show on 5th March, I remember going on a trip with the club and a bus full of cadets and parents years ago. So if you're thinking of going why not do it with company and friends on a bus. We have a Pub Olympics evening in the club on January 30th, and Valentine’s Dinner on Sat- urday 13th February, for which there are imited numbers as limited number of tables for two. We have had tables for more, up to you really. The poster is in this issue and on the notice boards, book and pay with the new galley after Febru- ary 1st. You will be able to book and pay by credit or debit card over the phone as well as on site going forward. If you want to pre or- der drinks or a glass of bubbly on arrival, you can arrange that when you book. I have just been to a meeting about flooding in Seaford with lots of partner organi- sations, if you want to check out the plans visit: http://www.seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk/news/seahaven-flood-plan.aspx The role of Commodore covers a multitude of things. Not sure we will be sailing down to Morrisons but the caravan park could be a handy lagoon. If anyone wants to be our representative for this eventuality or be involved in planning, then let me know please. Working parties are 12/13th March at Piddinghoe and 19/20th March at Seaford, a list of jobs at both sites is inside this issue, jobs for all ages and abilities some are skilled and some need kit. Please remember to wear old clothes, bring gloves and per- haps tools you are comfortable with. If you want to take on particular jobs then please let us know. The accounts for 2015 are being done, a successful year in many ways, I will be stepping down in April as I announced at the last AGM. A number of other Directors will also be stepping down, I have put a bit inside about that too and my ideas for the way forward, should put you to sleep. Hot off the press, the grant application we put in for 3 Fevas has been approved by Sport England, I have a bit of paperwork to complete, you always do, then we can or- der the boats. I expect them to be available for the start of cadets, I will keep you posted. We included a trailer so we will be able to move them to Seaford and beyond as required. Well done all who assisted with the application. Ian Johnson Commodore. A personal tribute to Ken Bourne by Rupert Smith Some sad news - Ken Bourne passed away just before Christmas at the age of 93. Most of you will have met Ken in recent years on a Sunday, when he came down for his lunch and a pint. In previous times, I think it’s fair to say, Ken with the help of his wife Cherry has been one of the most influential members in shaping the club into the success it is today. During the early seventies, Ken’s three sons were always at or very near the front of the fleet in Merlins and Fireballs etc. Most of the trophies of that era have the Bourne name on them. Ken became a joint owner of ‘Great Bear’, and was one of the early members of the Junior Offshore Group which was started at NSSC and remained a big part of club racing until Brighton Marina YC became established. Ken spent many years on the committee here at NSSC and was instrumental in many of the major decisions that have made the club what it is today. Ken was a successful Architect by profession, and in the early 70’s designed for us our ‘New’ clubhouse to replace the previous pre-fab in the car park. At the time, the club wasn’t that rich, so Ken designed it not only to be sturdy and to a budget, but also to be built in three stages that could be added to when funds permitted. This resulted in the strange arrangement of the first floor being built before the ground floor. John Burfoot did the main building work and all the members did the fitting out, finishing and fund raising. About the same time, as Vice Commodore, Ken was part of the team that made NSSC into a Limited Company, to protect members from the financial risks that the growing club might be subject to in the future. Part of this process gave us the Articles of Association that protect the club as a Sailing Club, so the clubs assets must be kept and used primarily for the sport of Sailing. Later, Ken became Commodore. During this time he negotiated the purchase of the Pid- dinghoe freehold. We had previously rented the pond from Blue Circle and as such it was not certain that we would always have its use. Ken managed to negotiate the deal for the princely sum of £3,000 and it was completed shortly after his time as Commodore in 1980. The Piddinghoe Inaugural Gala (PIG) was held to celebrate, and has continued annually as the Piddinghoe Open Day every year since. Ken, Brian Jefferson and Jack Baker campaigned ‘Great Bear’ in many offshore and cross channel races as well as club racing, eventually changing her for a UFO sailed from Sussex YC in Shoreham, with many charters around the Med’ as well. A real gentleman in the very best sense of the word. We have a lot to thank Ken for. Local press report of Ken Bourne who designed and built a new clubhouse at Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club who has died aged 93. Ken Bourne, who moved to Lewes in 1963 with his wife Cherry and three sons, was a renowned architect, sailor and artist. One of three brothers, Ken was born in Colwall, Herefordshire in January 1922 and spent his youth in Worcester. Following the war, where he served in the Royal Engineers, he graduated from the Oxford School of Architecture in 1949. He then joined the Gloucester County Architect’s Department, after which he took up an architect’s post in Crawley New Town Development Corporation in 1953. He worked on the planning and design of the town and neighbourhood centres, housing, and helped make this new town a success. In 1962, he became a partner in Fitzroy Robin- son in Brighton, which later became Miller Bourne. Between 1962 and 1987, he worked on the Crawley Housing Schemes, NatWest Bank buildings, shopping centers in Haywards Heath and Brighton Square, and the prestigious Seeboard Headquarters. His project in the Brighton Lanes was at the time considered a major breakthrough and paved the way for more sensitive conservation architecture throughout the country. He was also commissioned to design Brighton Town Hall and worked with Sir Basil Spence on this and Sussex University. From 1968, Ken was a keen sailor and joined the Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club, where the whole family raced regularly. He was Club Commodore from 1975 to 1979 and designed and built a new clubhouse. After the boys left home in the late 1970s, Ken took a co-ownership of a racing yacht “Great Bear”, moored at Newhaven and later moved to Shoreham Yacht Club and took part ownership of a new Hi-Uforia yacht . During this time, Ken was part of a great crew of close friends that were still sailing well into their 80s, winning many races and series including cross-channel races to Fecamp and Dieppe. During retirement in Lewes, Ken became a regular member of a Life Class at Paddock Studios and held numerous exhibitions of his art work in local galleries and ART WAVE activities. In retirement, Ken and his beloved wife Cherry, who was a physiotherapist at Lewes Hospital, travelled widely. Ken is renowned for producing an annual Christmas Card including a sketch or two of his trips overseas that year, which as a collection, pro- vides an amazing record of his life and travels.

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