50th Anniversary Issue www.draycotewater.co.uk Spring 2019 INSIDE: Snapshots of the Club’s 50-year history, Fleet Reports, What’s On this year, & more Commodore’s Column What a special year and many other clubs today, is the I have been a member.) – the Club’s 50th number of volunteer duties required of l Comment to the Committee: We are anniversary! I hope members (and their families, if we are setting up occasional meetings where you will all enjoy talking about the 1980s!). members can raise issues and discuss participating in the At Draycote we have less than 300 topics with the Committee. While I special events we volunteer duties a year that we ask our hope all our members know that they have lined up. members to fill (and only those who can raise issues with me, other race). At Rutland that number is over Committee members and staff at any It is wonderful that we have so 2,300 with (for example) all rescue time and don’t have to wait for the many founder members of the Club cover provided by members! It is easy AGM or a meeting like this, we still involved, quite a few of them still to forget how different our set-up is to thought we would try this. The first sailing at the Club! We are looking other sailing clubs (even bigger clubs) will be held at 3pm on Sunday 14th forward to welcoming more of them and how little we call on our April. back for our 50th birthday party on membership as volunteers. 6th April. Compared to them, and That is, of course, in no small part Membership many other members, I am a due to our magnificent staff team, lead comparative newbie – I have only been by Dave Rowe, who do so much to While we do not expect to return to a member of the Club since 2001 – ensure the smooth running of the Club the dizzy heights of the 1980s, just a third of the Club’s life. for its members. increasing our membership is But I have known the Club as a A final difference I will mention is absolutely vital for the continuing visitor for nearly 20 years before that. the size and scope of our commercial well-being of the Club. I first sailed at Draycote in September operation. This covers running open Please do not forget the 1983 and still have the Inland meetings, RYA training, acting as a contribution that you as a member can Championship trophy we won that venue for class association training, make. If every member invited a friend weekend. hiring out our facilities to companies to the club and half of them signed up I have just found the results of this during the week, private events and as members, we would exceed our event and am delighted to read that a organising corporate team days target! certain Steve Irish finished in 3rd and including sailing and dragon boating. Don’t forget that you can invite an Andrew Blee finished 5th! Both To this list will soon be added a pay people as your guest to the Club at any members of the Club today. and play Stand Up Paddleboarding time to experience our wonderful We were regular visitors during the option. facilities and take them sailing! 1980s and always received a warm The only rules are: no more than 2 welcome from the Club – usually being “I am pleased to report that the guests per member in a day, an presented the prizes by a Harry Club arrives at its 50th birthday in a individual can only be signed in as a Sayers! I also recall being served at guest 4 times a year, they cannot bring very healthy state, although rather the bar by Roger Hadlow, but this their own boat and you must sign them might not have been at this time. My different from the 1980s’ Club I in the Visitors Book. recollections of one Nathan event first experienced.” Please think of who you could from this period appear later in this invite! magazine. This commercial operation is vital During this period, the Club was to the Club. Club membership income Governance very active, with an enormous does not cover our running costs and membership but we all know that the the commercial activity not only This year sees us implementing some Club faced quite a significant covers this shortfall, most of our staff major changes to the Club’s down-turn in the late 00s and early wages and provides a surplus for the governance to make it fit for purpose 10s. I am pleased to report that the Club to invest in the future. Club arrives at its 50th birthday in a We have a fantastic Club – thank Continued on page 15 very healthy state, although rather you for being a member of it! different from the 1980s’ Club I first But we have to keep moving experienced. forward: improving our current In this Issue Racing is still an important part of activities and facilities and developing This issue focuses mainly on the the Club, but not the dominant new ones, increasing our levels of Club’s history over 50 years. element it once was. Nevertheless, we participation and improving our Inevitably this is only snapshot of all still manage to maintain fleet racing communication. I will mention a few that has happened. To see many more things we are looking to do: for our 4 recognised classes which is photos, as well as news clippings and the envy of many other clubs who just other memorabilia, come and view host handicap racing, which we, of Communication course, also run for our active the Memory Display which we are menagerie fleet. l New member welcomes: We are launching at the Birthday Party on Saturdays are now busier than setting up monthly meetings with the Saturday 6 April. Last few tickets Sundays with masses of activities committee for new members over the remaining. going on, including a marvellous summer: the last Sunday of each Youth & Junior fleet. Again, we month from April to September at See the online version on the outshine many other clubs with this. 3pm. (Not a new idea, I know, but website to follow links Another difference from the 1980s, something that hasn’t been done since 2 x Draycote Unshackled Spring 2019 Celebrating 50 years IT’S YOUR CLUB!! Wondering how to get more out of your membership of the Club? Here are a few suggestions: Step 1: Come down to the Club and Step 2: Come and join in with the Step 3: Keep tuned in to our talk to us! Dave, Matt, Owen and social and sailing activities that are Facebook page and the monthly Mark are qualified, knowledgeable mentioned on this page and elsewhere Enewsletter to make sure you find out and friendly. They are here to help and in this issue. about short notice/impromptu events ready to talk through with you your This year is our 50th anniversary (there’s sure to be a barbecue or two plans or hopes for enjoying your and we plan to make it one to in there as well!). sailing. They can advise on boats, remember, so there will be numerous Keep in touch with what’s equipment, courses ¾ whatever you events through the year in addition to going on at the Club by need to get your sailing to the next the major ones that have already been joining the Draycote Water level of skill and enjoyment. announced. members Facebook page CLUB OPEN DAY Friday Evening Saturday 18th May The Open Day is the one day in the Social Sailing year we throw open our doors to the general public. The last few Open Days & Barbecue have been very successful in attracting new members and people signing up Youth & Junior for courses. Race Training However, the success of the day depends entirely on the many willing Learn tricks and tactics volunteers who help out in all areas, YOUR COMMITTEE from welcoming and greeting to Owen’s Friday Fun Club for helping visitors get kitted out and intermediate sailors Commodore taking them on boat rides. We will be Jeremy Atkins inviting members nearer the time to Club boats for hire Vice Commodore sign up, either for half or a whole day, at discounted rates Ian Macwhinnie so please respond when you see these Rear Commodore Sail emails. (There is a barbecue for all Barbecue & Bar Will Whittaker helpers at the end!) Rear Commodore House Christine Silver Hire out One of the Club’s 35 Boats for Treasurer Rodger Webb Trying out or Joining in Club Racing President Laser, Hartley 12, Flying Fifteen*, Fireball*, Solo, Harry Sayers Dart 16, (Laser) 2000, Pico, Fusion, Topper Committee Members £15 single-hander, Louise Craig £20/25 double-hander per half-day Andy Haslam Unlimited Use: £175 (single-hander) Neil Murray £250 (double-hander) per annum Edited and Produced by Contact Dave in the shop or call on 01788 814418 Ian Macwhinnie * Contact Fleet Captain (different charges may apply) Celebrating 50 years Spring 2019 Draycote Unshackled x 3 Youth & Junior Fleet GET INVOLVED ONLINE AND ON THE WATER Spring is almost in the air! The days are getting longer and before long, the 2019 season will be kicking off. We have a packed calendar of events for 2019. This should have already reached Youth & Junior fleet members n i via e-mail, but the latest edition will w e L always be available on our Facebook m l page and the Club website.