Commodore's New Year Letter
Published 10:54 on 31 Dec 2021
Commodore's Letter Jan 2022
Dear Members,
I trust everyone had a very merry and safe Christmas and I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year; let us hope that 2022 proves to be less stressful and more settled that this past year for all our members.
Firstly, on behalf of the Committee, I want to make a huge apology for our recent software glitch. Some of you have received emails dated 21 December for your subs. This was incorrect. Subs do not fall due until I January each year. Compounding this was a somewhat abrupt automatically generated mail of 28 December stating that subs were overdue. I can only say that we are sorry this occurred and are pursuing the issue vigorously to ensure there is no repetition.
On a slightly more cheerful note, the Directors and Management Committee are aiming to do everything possible to steer the Club to a more prosperous year than the last, both on the water, socially and financially. As I write, we are keeping our fingers crossed that there will be no further curtailing of activities by government legislation. In monetary terms we are still afloat, so to speak, but the measures that had to be taken during the pandemic have had a severe impact on our financial reserves. We are facing some expensive repairs required to the fabric of the property, so fundraising and seeking grant opportunities will need to be priorities whilst not losing focus on our core activities. Sadly, it would appear that the planned work on the foreshore may need to be put on hold: it will take a careful financial review into whether we have the resources to fund such an expensive project.
The AGM of late November saw several changes to the Officers of Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club for this year. As you will be aware, if only from this letter, I have taken over as Commodore. In passing, I am the first lady to hold that post since the club was founded in 1891. I am delighted to say that our past Commodore, Bob Wilkey, has agreed to remain on the Committee as Treasurer. Jen Roberts, that stalwart of both dinghy race hut and Social Secretary is standing down from the latter role and Karen Carter will be taking over the post. With Jen's help, there is already a varied programme of social events planned. In a change to past practice, for this year we are combining the Commodore's Drinks with the Wine and Cheese and this will be held on 12th February 2022.
Bob Holder, who has so ably husbanded the Club's financial resources during the pandemic, in addition to acting as Secretary and as Training Principal is now retiring. A reflection of the amount of time he gave up and effort he put in is the fact that three are replacing him. In addition to Bob Wilkey, Geoff Holden is taking on the post of Secretary and Sean Biggs is the new Training Principal. We welcome Roger Gibb, Dave Milson and Richard Wood as new members to the Management Committee.
Whilst T.M.S.C. has a most welcoming bar and now, under the aegis of Amber Lau, a revamped restaurant, the heart of our activities is the waterborne side of the club, whether above the waves with yachts and dinghies, or below them with the divers. With that in mind, we have a full programme of dinghy racing arranged by Steve Roberts, yacht racing which I arrange, a reinstatement of the annual club cruise and a widening training programme. The cadet section will continue to train on a Wednesday night and RYA courses in powerboating, first aid and radio are already scheduled. We hope to run adult training courses for dinghy sailing, although this is always dependant on whether there is the demand for them. If that would be of interest to anyone, please leave a note behind the bar for Sean or Tony Brown, the Chief Instructor, so these can be set up. Tony is also the contact for information on the Club cruise, planned for early June on this side of the Channel.
Finally, I will use this letter to make an appeal. I know this is not the first time the letter has served this purpose, doubtless it will not be the last. The vibrancy and vitality of any club is totally dependent on volunteers. We do have new blood on the Management Committee, which is encouraging. Our safety boat roster for crews is looking healthy, I know the dinghy sailors appreciate the time given up to cover their racing. However, we have had to stop the Friday night cadet training for lack of an available RYA Senior Instructor to cover the sessions on that night. We are always looking for instructors, so if you have the necessary ability and can spare a little time, please let the Club know. I am also aware that for most of you, this is not your skill set or bent. Not a problem, pop down to the Club, use the facilities, we are a friendly bunch. As the late Jethro said some years ago from the stage of the Club, we are very lucky to have it: use it or lose it. If you have any thoughts or suggestions for activities, events, or just how we run the club, please have a word with one of the Committee who are always happy to receive your ideas. A very successful year to you all in 2022 and I look forward to seeing you down at the Club over the coming months.
With Very best wishes to you all,
Dee Casey-Brown
Commodore, Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club.
Last updated 18:44 on 18 January 2024