October 20072007————Newsletternewsletter
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October 20072007————NewsletterNewsletter Midland Canoe Club (Derby) Inside this issue: Club News 1 Proposed Amendments to 2 the Midland Canoe Club Constitution—September Committee Reports 3 The Mighty Keithus’ by 8 Mr Picky Its a mini adventure . 11 Community Sports Above: Keith Tillen negotiating the “Miss Davis's Bridge” rapid at the ‘Mighty Tryweryn’ on a 12 Coach cumecs release on July 22nd this year—See JohnC’s article on page 8 We would like to welcome on board Ben Seal who is the new Community Sports Tuck Shop the Nene WWC on November Coach for Derby City 18th. Council. As part sponsors Tea and coffee, sweets and of Ben’s post he will be crisps are provided at Darley Increase in Pool Charges doing some coaching for us Abbey. Can members making Derby City Council imposed a down at the pool and as- themselves a drink or taking 12.5% increase in pool charges sisting us with our goal of other items please place their in April. This has forced us to getting more people out on monetary contribution in the increase pool fees by 50p the rivers lakes and sea. If that Derek knows which re- receptacle provided? across the board which is the you sea Ben at the pool or sources he’s got to allocate. We Well Done first increase since 2002. This elsewhere please introduce appreciate your help on this. Another year of success and increase will apply from yourself to him. Remember Club Security fun on the water for the Wednesday 24th October. if you want any advice or MCC Youth Freestyle team Domain Names coaching at the pool please On a number of recent occasions which has comprised this tell Derek Cox as you’re members visiting the site have The domain names year Gabby Bates, Matt Rod- signing in and Derek will found doors unlocked or the www.derbycanoeclub.com and gers, Tom Fyall and Richard arrange the resources to alarm un-set. If you’ve recently www.derbycanoeclub.co.uk Homer all paddlers making give you the help you need. received a key and not had the have been purchased by John site security demonstrated to you great steps forward this year. If you’re a coach or helper Chamberlin for the use of please contact Derek or any other Reports to follow. Why not please let Derek know Midland Canoe Club. committee member to arrange a give it a try on the club trip to when you sign in as well so site induction. October 2007 Newsletter P a ge 2 Proposed Amendments to the Midland Canoe Club Constitution—September 2007 At the EMC meeting on 3rd September, the following two amendments to the current Midland Canoe Club Constitution were recommended for submission to the 2007 AGM: 1. Child Protection Policy Current wording: None existing. Proposed amendment: The club will abide by the BCU Duty of Care – Child Protection Policy – see http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/canoeeng/2168- 3-child-protection.aspx – a copy of which can be seen at Appendix 1 to this Constitution. The club shall name a nominated Child Protection Officer. 2. Equal Opportunities Policy Current wording: Membership should consist of officers and members of the club. All members will be subject to the regulations of this constitu- tion, and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted. Proposed amendment: Membership should consist of officers and members of the club. All members will be subject to the regulations of this constitu- tion, and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted. The club has adopted the BCU Equal Opportunities and Equity Policy; see: http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/canoeeng/2172-3- equity.aspx. Both of these are proposed in order to further align the Midland Canoe Club's Constitution with the requirements of Sport Eng- land's Clubmark accreditation, towards which we are working. 3. Name Change proposal That the club name be changed to ‘Derby Canoe Club’ - Proposer—Steve Adams *************************** MCC/EMC/Sept. 19th 2007 October 2007 Newsletter P a ge 3 Committee Reports Vice Chair (EMC Member) Report I would like to thank the committee for all their hard work over the last 12 months to make it another successful year. The club site is much improved. Lots of courses have been run and we have had a huge variety of trips. Well Done... I unfortunately will not be standing for re-election but will continue helping with coaching when I can. The position of Vice Chair (EMC Member) allows you a free roll so a good option for someone who wants to get more involved with the running of the club. Simon Pilbeam—Vice Chairman ———————||——————— Annual Report to the 2006-2007 AGM of the Midland Canoe Club John Chamberlin – President The Midland Canoe Club is 56 years old this November, and it looks as healthy as ever, if not healthier than it's ever been. And that's thanks to you, the members – those who just paddle, those who work to help run the club, and those who do both – every- one. Without out all of you, the club would not exist. And that, I think, is a key issue, really; paraphrasing Mr Kitchener, 'Your club needs you!' At the time of the AGM – that 'Annual Gathering of Members' – it is time to reflect on the past year, albeit briefly, and time to lay the refreshed foundations for the year ahead. I say 'briefly, but of course I don't do 'brevity'; it's one of my many faults. And I say 'refreshed' because, as usual, there will be some changes among the ranks of those you elect to run the club. All of these will be for entirely valid reasons – sometimes due to changes in people's work commitments or their lives outside of the club (because we all have them), and sometimes because people just need a rest – but whatever the reasons, ultimately, the club as a whole, and the EMC/GC (Executive Management and General Committees) in particular, benefit from the refreshing annual transfusion of some 'new blood', but more of that later. As far as 2006/07 has been concerned, from where I sit it's been as good as any other year and better than many, and even a cur- sory scan of the many activities being reported on the Message Board will confirm that: see General Chat/Youth Freestyle Results – http://youth.ukfreestyle.com/2007hppresults.php – for just one recent example. There has been lots of paddling on a variety of trips and within a range of disciplines, including a serious rejuvenation of sea paddling, which of course I personally welcome. Those of you who go on these different activities – 'open', sea, surf, river, etc. – will know who's organising them, and therefore who to thank. Specifically, there was the series of sea-kayaking 'theory' evenings down at the club, and it's 30 years since we last did anything like that, so it was great to see the effort that went into it (thanks to Kev' and Gill), and the commitment of those members so clearly interested in and benefiting from it, and subsequently putting it into practice on the sea. As usual, some things haven't happened anything like as fast as we'd have liked, and one is the major funding application for approx' £19,000 for the renewal of the perimeter fencing (including two new gates). However, this was finally submitted last April – thanks to Andy R. – so if and when it ever gets awarded, we will honour the commitment made at the 2005 AGM to seek members' views on the actual project, prior to any real expenditure. (Continued on page 4) P a ge 4 October 2007 Newsletter Reports—continued (Continued from page 3) Another has been the lack of any real progress on the 'Clubmark' application (see: http://www.sportengland.org/clubmark), and that's been down to me. Sorry, but I've had other things on also. Glyn and I recently had a meeting at the club one night, however, to pick up where we'd left off, but it's still down to me to progress it further, so I'll continue to try and find the time unless some- one tells me not to. The Carsington access issue is making some headway with our first paddle there on15th September, and the aim is to follow that with a few more, but sticking to the rules of the current tripartite agreement between Severn Trent, the BCU and Carsington Sport and Leisure (CSL). The longer-term issue, though, is to try and get the safety boat requirement (currently £12.00/hour) reviewed, at least, because it is financially prohibitive and, we feel, unnecessary. Chat separately if you wish to know more about that, but my thanks to Matt D. and Jocelyn P. for their help with 'negotiations' so far. Connected to that, whilst at Cwm Pennant recently I was chatting to Rutland CC members and they told me of their agreement, direct with Anglian Water, for paddling on the 'main body' of Rutland Water, where their club is situated. They apparently have an internal club 'coaching scheme', run on exactly the same lines as the BCU's, but which the Anglian Water Authority find quite ac- ceptable as a basis for their agreement. If you look at their club's website* you'll see the term 'Main Body' – referring to the main body of (Rutland) water – and their club's agreement specifies that trips must be led by a 'Main Body Leader'.