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Your committee met on December 12th, the following is a summary.
Membership. Members are paying their subs for 2023 steadily, thank you. The unpaid, volunteer officers concerned would appreciate prompt payment from all of us to assist them in their tasks.
Boatwatch. The Boatwatch coordinator would like more volunteers to carry out patrols during the summer, Any members who would like to join this scheme (which is at the core of our existence) please contact him through
boatwatch@kebc.co.uk A pre-season meeting of leaders will be arranged.
Christmas Dinner is scheduled for this evening (Dec. 14th) at the Cottage Hotel and 42 members have booked their places. Please remember to bring cash for the raffle which has prizes such as dinner at 2 restaurants in Kingsbridge. Many of us will be staying the night.
Officers. Our Vice Chair is standing down at the 2023 AGM for work reasons and our secretary is handing the position back to her predecessor. Thus we need a new Vice Chair. As I intend retiring in 2024 anybody volunteering would, ideally, be willing to take the Chair from the 2024 AGM. I would love to hear from anybody willing to consider taking on the role, please contact me at
chairman@kebc.co.uk to discuss.
Calendar. On November 16th 40 members gathered in the Regal meeting room to hear Scratch (Bill Hitchen) talk about his life. He brought his book ‘A Salcombe Boy‘ to the meeeting and one more copy will be a raffle prize this evening. He has had an almost unbelievable career working on ships, boats and oil rigs of all shapes and sizes and his talk had his audience spellbound. An extremely enjoyable evening. Next is the Christmas Dinner tonight, then wine tasting at the Regal takes place on January 18th.
Training. Andy Thomson has published details of training courses which will be available in 2023, The booking deadline is January 31st. details below.
KEBC winter courses and workshops
Once again KEBC is pleased to offer well proven winter workshops and courses to our members. They are run by the Devon School of Navigation and club members benefit from preferential rates.
This year we’ll be covering two topics – VHF and local navigation. Non club members are welcome but we do ask that you either join our club or pay an extra £10 per half day session. Ring Andy for more information.
Booking deadline – we need to know numbers no later than January 31st 2023 to be able to confirm the room bookings. All YOU need to do is ring or email Andy
andy@thethomsons.info or 01548 581288 and place a provisional booking.
Background
Andy Thomson will be organising and teaching the programme. He’s been training KEBC members for many years and has always received good feedback from his students. The Devon School of Navigation (www.devnav.co.uk) is his RYA Training Centre and he mainly teaches three of the RYA’s shorebased courses (Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean).
He also teaches the VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) theory course and is an RYA SRC examiner. He was ill for much of 2022 and had to cancel last year’s course programme. Hopefully he is now recovered and he is looking forward to teaching again.
Email Andy (andy@thethomsons.info) or phone him (01548 581288) to discuss or book your requirements. Alternatively, there’s a brief ‘response form’ on page 3 for you to use.
VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC)
Someone on your boat must hold an SRC to use marine VHF radio legally. There are two parts to gaining your SRC – a theory section followed by a practical exam. You can complete the theory either via the RYA’s online course or in the classroom. Both approaches work well, and have their pros and cons. The cost is likely to range between about £60 and £80 per person for this part of the SRC, with the online course the slightly cheaper option. Most people these days opt for the online course and then book their exam with Andy..
The practical exam is separate and takes about an hour and a half. The RYA currently charge £60 per person which is payable direct to them. There is no extra charge payable to the examiner.
Ring (01548 581288) or email Andy (andy@thethomsons.info) and he’ll be happy to talk you through the options, give you more information on costs and timescales and help you decide on the best way forward for you.
KEBC Workshops
Club workshops are classroom based and do not lead to an RYA qualification. Their aim is to help you earn more about some of the key topics that affect our boating in a reasonably relaxed and ‘fun’environment.
A ‘half day’ is roughly three hours teaching (plus time for a tea / coffee break) and most people prefer morning sessions, though Andy is happy to schedule afternoon or
evening sessions on request. We limit class sizes to a maximum of six people. December 2022. The prices below include handouts, refreshments and room hire.
“Practical VHF”
Mobile phones are better than nothing but, at sea, VHF radio is, by far, the better way to handle an emergency.
This workshop addresses a widespread problem – namely that people don’t use their marine radios enough or even at all. They become deskilled and this workshop aims to help by giving its attendees radio practice. If you have regular crew who you think would benefit from knowing basic VHF procedures then why not sign them up as well?
This workshop builds PRACTICAL skills by using real marine VHF radios with realistic scenarios. It is suitable for beginners and more advanced users and is an enjoyable way to reinforce / build your knowledge just before the next boating season starts.
- Duration: One half day
- Cost per person: £30
- Provisional date 15th March 2023. 09:30 to 13:00.
“Know your waters”
Here’s a chance to understand more about navigating in our local waters, both inside and outside Salcombe Harbour. You’ll work with real local charts and tidal information and end up by planning a passage to Dartmouth and back. Once again we are planning it just before the season starts.
The price includes the loan of charts and navigating instruments. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and people with some navigation experience.
- Duration: Two half days
- Cost per person: £60
- Date: 8th and 9th March 2023 2022. 09:30 to 13:00 both days.
Notes
- Teaching location. We use the John Wesley Room at Stokenham Parish Hall. It is ideal for our purposes and has ample free parking nearby and at the hall. The cost of using this facility is built into the prices shown above.
- We have to take Covid precautions and comply with all legal and RYA training requirements in force at the time of the course or workshop.
- To attend any KEBC or Devon School of Navigation classroom training you must be fully vaccinated with all recommended supplementary jabs.
- Prices are correct at December 2022. We may have to pass on any external price increases imposed on us.
- Minimum attendance on a course or workshop is two people. It is perfectly possible to run them for one person but the charge will be as though there are two people.
- Dates are provisional at this stage.
- Bookings and refunds. We will confirm all bookings we receive. Approximately one month before a course or workshop is due to run we will send you an invoice. Payment (by card, cash, cheque or bank transfer) is then due. YOU can cancel your attendance and receive a full refund of any money you have paid until two weeks before the scheduled date. In the event that WE have to cancel a course for any reason then we will refund all the money you have paid. That is the full extent of our liability to you’
KEBC’s 2023 Winter courses and workshops
To Andy Thomson
My details
Name, address, contact phone or email number
Please sign me / us up
For the Practical VHF / Know your waters (delete as appropriate) on the scheduled date and time.
You’ll receive an acknowledgement from Andy once he receives this form.
Names:
1.
2.
3.
Please contact me.
I am interested in an SRC course / KEBC workshop and would like to speak to Andy to get more
information about the workshop / course or discuss options and dates
Your name and date
Final step
If you printed this page and manually completed it then send it to: Mr. A Thomson, Hedges, Kiln
Lane, Stokenham, Devon TQ7 2SQ.
If you electronically completed it just email this page or the whole document to andy@thethomsons.info
Happy Christmas,
Tony Watson
Your committee met on Monday October 10th, the following are the main points that arose.
Most of you are aware that KEBC has supported the Chernobyl Childrens’ Charity over the years with cash donations and events such as the ice cream cruise when the children are here. With the extremely difficult times in their homeland at the moment the childrens’ visits have not taken place for a few years but we have maintained our donations. This year’s contribution of £250 from our charity account, which was approved at the last AGM, is to be made ASAP. (Our charity account cash does not come from members’ subs but from raffles, tide table sales, etc. through the year)
Boatwatch has had a quiet time through September. Some members are having problems with the gate lock on the South Kingsbridge Pontoon, this is under investigation.
The production of next years’ Tide Tables is in progress. Apparently fewer are required by the commercial outlets that distribute our tables because boaters are moving to the use of an App instead of the printed version!!!!!! Personally I wouldn’t feel properly dressed without a copy in my back pocket.
Cordial relationships with Salcombe Harbour Authority are being maintained, their next Board meeting is scheduled for November 14th, your Chair and Vice Chair intend being present.
We are approaching the end of 2022 which has in some ways been a difficult year as we try to resume ‘normal’ life. The Club is gaining members, events, except for the ill fated BBQ/picnic, have been well attended and I hope you are happy with the way things are going. Please check your standing orders, direct debits, etc. to ensure your £15 subscription for 2023 is paid before December 31st.
On Wednesday 12th October we had a Members’ evening at the Regal Pub which was addressed by Nigel Mortimer of the AONB/Estuary partnership. Nigel spoke for an hour and had us all enthralled with his explanation of how the flora and fauna in our waters survive and a 30 minute question session followed. 29 members were present and it was a very successful evening. Next is Scratch Hitchen on November 16th. which is guaranteed to be very amusing and informative.
See you all then,
Tony Watson
I am pleased to say that our presence at Kingsbridge Show 2022 was a success. To date 7 new members have joined while several others intend joining next year. Many people stopped for a chat, some of whom knew of us but several did not. Existing members were mostly pleased to see us and admired our stand. One subject which emerged from chats was the absence of an easy way for members to contact each other when they felt that a hand would be useful, e.g. when slipping or launching boats. The use of the web site has been suggested but this raises data protection issues as any entries would have to display the applicants’ contact details. We can’t make access to the Club’s database available. WhatsApp groups get round this problem but I know many of us have enough of them already. Comments or suggestions please..
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An additional bonus was the sale of a member’s inflatable from the stand.
Subsequent to the show your committee met and finalised the winter programme, full details are available on the web site up to March 2023. Next on the agenda is a talk on the flora and fauna of the estuary by Nigel Mortimer from S. Devon AONB. 7pm for a 7.30 start on October 12th at the Regal Club.
We met our new representative to Salcombe Harbour Board, Chris Plant, and discussed a few items which concern us. An extract from the Club Committee minutes follows
Discussion held at opening of meeting whilst Chris Plant present:
Our list of questions (see last minutes) had received a response from Phil at Harbour Office but was discussed again with Chris:
(a) Buoyage – Chris is pushing the need for lit buoys in Kingsbridge estuary. C 15 solar powered buoys needed so cost will be c £30k and big issue for charts etc. We had only asked for light at end of KB slipway to be replaced to avoid hazard and this has been done. With some hesitation icw light pollution KEBC could support Chris’ project.
(b)Pontoon use – unused boats blocking berths. Chris raised option of full winter maintenance requiring ALL boats to be moved. This a non-starter as some have nowhere to go. However, all agreed that the same rules should be applied to pontoon berths as to deep water moorings. Also, all boats without Harbour dues stickers should be towed away.
(c) Speeding – possibility of drone patrol for wide coverage and proof of speed (Currently lacking and prevents prosecution)
(d) disabled access from Pontoon – Chris agreed this was lacking throughout estuary
(e) Changes to KB quay – Chair cautioned need to retain a launching point for 60ft pontoons and large vessels as Kingsbridge slip is only remaining option for this. Skateboard park and Waterborn containers should not block articulated lorry access. Dinghy/kayak racks built along tree edge would not hinder quay use and would be popular.
(f) Security of pontoon – key code to access pontoon: elsewhere such codes are changed regularly. The new code could be emailed to harbour dues payers. SHB solar camera could be installed (SHDC one is for crime on car park)
(g) ladder – not a SHA responsibility (although they have persistently NOT said so)
TO NOTE: difficulties arise due to division of authority between SHDC and Salcombe Harbour Authority.
Thus ended a full and useful meeting, we await responses from Salcombe Harbour Authority in due course and I will report back to you.
Hope to see plenty of you on October 12th
Tony Watson.
Your committee met on August 2nd. and decided that, with the present weather conditions, we should not have a BBQ but we would organise a picnic. So we will meet in Britton’s Field which is easily accessible by foot, road and water on September 9th starting at 1700. Bring your own food, drink and chairs. There are a few picnic benches in place for early arrivals.
Kids on the Water actually took approximately 150 primary school children afloat in canoes owned by Singing Paddles who give their services at a very discounted rate.
Preparations for Kingsbridge Show on September 3rd are in hand, we will have a stand in the TQ7 marquee which is reserved for local clubs and societies. 8 members, mostly committee people, have each volunteered to give 2 hours of their time to man our stand. Please drop in and show your support.
We have drafted a winter programme which will start with Nigel Mortimer of the S. Devon AONB giving an address on the Kingsbridge/Salcombe estuary, it’s flora and fauna, on October 12th. This will be in the Regal Club, 7 for a 7.30pm start and has been confirmed by Nigel.
In November a well known local character will, hopefully, address us on the 23rd. We will be approaching the Cottage Hotel for our Christmas Dinner on December 14th and a wine tasting is to be arranged in January. February 8th is presently pencilled in for our AGM, please put this in your diary and be there as we have had trouble achieving a quorum recently. These dates will be confirmed as soon as possible.
The subject of unused boats on moorings on the Kingsbridge pontoons was discussed and the general dissatisfaction amongst members on the waiting list is to be raised with SHA. A pressure wash of the pontoons is to be requested, gulls tend to use the Northern end as a toilet. SHA has proposed changing the gate codes, mooring holders will be notified by email. SHA is to be asked to consider fitting dinghy racks at the top of the Kingsbridge slipway and to repair the ladder on the wall at the slipway end.
We will meet again on September 12th. Enjoy the weather.
Tony Watson.
Your committee met on July 4th, sorry for the delay in reporting to you, I had a short horse riding holiday! Our secretary, Andy Thomson, has had to retire from the committee due to ill health but he remains our training provider. Please do not hesitate to contact him, details on our web site, for any training requirements. Juliette Bird has volunteered to become our secretary and the committee welcomed her on board.
Another long standing member of the committee has also retired. Norman Hore is about to become President of Kingsbridge Rotary and is also involved with welcoming Ukranian refugees to Kingsbridge. He felt that he could not give us the time we deserve from a committee member and has retired to make way for someone with time and energy available. He did not have a specific role, apart from being very familiar with the Regal’s electronics which was very useful, and so we would be glad to listen to any member who feels they might bring something useful to the committee. The committee wishes him well for the future.
I am afraid that logistics meant that we have been unable to rearrange the Frogmore BBQ as was suggested in my last newsletter, we are working on it.
The Kids Afloat scheme is working well, nearly 100 pupils from local primary schools have gone afloat with Singing Paddles and three more sessions were planned which will swell numbers to about 150. They all seemed to enjoy themselves as do the teachers and parents that accompany them. Dave Halsall makes the sessions very informative about the environment together with guidance about paddling. This scheme is financed by KEBC, assisted by South Pool Cruising Club.
Boatwatch is running well with very few ocurrencies being reported although we have heard of two kayaks being stolen from Bowcombe recently, their securing wire had been cut; please ensure your dinghies are well secured.
A rumour is circulating that Boatwatch members are taking names of boats using the visitors berth in Kingsbridge and reporting them to Salcombe Harbour Office. This is untrue. If you hear it, please correct whoever is passing it on.
Members’ adverts are now in new hands and working well. We had received a suggestion from a local yacht broker that they might put members’ adverts on our web site for them. The committee decided to decline the offer.
SHA reported that some tidying up of fenders, etc. on the Kingsbridge pontoons had been carried out, although no new fenders had been fitted. Merlin Rocket week has passed and the Harbour staff numbers are now up to full summer strength. Our representative on Salcombe Harbour Board has retired and a new person is being appointed, we hope to meet him at our next meeting in August. I had recently been asked about disabled access to boats, a subject I hope to discuss with SHA soon.
Enjoy the heat, I will be in touch soon about further social events.
Tony Watson
Next Wednesday, March 16th., 7pm for 7.30, members of Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club will be addresed by Katie McCabe, the youngest person to sail single-handed around Britain at the Regal Club, Kingsbridge. Last summer, at age 14, she left her home port, Topsham, and sailed anti-clockwise around the country in her 26 foot wooden yacht Falanda.. On Wednesday she will tell us, with the help of slides, about the lead up to the voyage, the voyage itself and her future plans. Please let us know, via events@kebc.co.uk if you will be with us if you can, it helps us to have an idea of numbers. Don’t worry if you make a last minute decision to come, there will be plenty of room.
On April 27th. Ali Jones will attend the Club evening at the Regal to address members. She will first talk about seals, dolphins and whales in our seas, followed by a discussion on first aid on boats, including the use of radio, and ending with lifejackets and flares; bring your own for inspection.
We are planning another talk on May 18th before organising a trip on the Lady Mary and a lunchtime barbecue in June and July.
WE NEED A GARDENER.There is a KEBC dinghy on the promenade which is filled with plants that is looking a bit tired. Is there a club member that would like to take charge of this? You would need to liaise with Kingsbridge in Bloom to tie the design in with the overall Kingsbridge scheme as I understand that the town has been entered in the regional and finals of the national competition..
At a committee meeting yesterday evening members also discussed the use of the excess income of £590 generated from the Tide Tables, this will be transferred to our charities account. We have for many years supported the Chernobyl Children charity which this year really demands our attention. It is planned to donate £250 to this cause. We will also be helping, with money and labour, the Kids Afloat scheme which takes primary school children afloat in canoes during the summer to introduce them to boating.
The Boatwatch schedules for this summer are in production and, from amongst the new club members, several extra volunteers have joined the scheme. The replacement of notices around the estuary stating that Boatwatch is operating is to be carried out. There will be a team leaders’ meeting, probably at the Regal, before the season starts.
Other topics discussed were club publicity and participation at shows such as Kingsbridge Show in September. We are updating the information boards and producing posters. Membership is 172 families at present, so we are healthy but want to keep it that way.
I hope to see lots of you next Wednesday evening.
Tony Watson.
Firstly, we still have some members who have not paid their £15 subscriptions for 2022. Payment must be made by January 31st. or membership will lapse. Please let us know if you do not intend renewing. I also need to regretfully inform you that Andy Thompson, our training officer, has been hospitalised. Consequently all training events in January will be subject to re-scheduling. Andy will be in touch.
Secondly the following from Linda. looks like another great evening coming up
CLUB MEETING WEDNESDAY 19th JANUARY 2022
The Regal Club, Church Street, Kingsbridge 7.00 for 7.30pm
WINE TASTING
Barrell & Still will present 4 wines for us to try!
Cost £10 per person which will also include small nibbles to accompany the wines.
Book your ticket ASAP by emailing events@kebc.co.uk
Your ticket will be emailed to you.
Bookings to be made before 1700 on January 17th.
Please send cash or cheque to Linda Lee, The Barn, Coronet Place, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PT
In extremis we will accept payment on the day.
Numbers will be limited so book early
We request that you do a lateral flow test on the day and to follow Government guidelines.
________________________________________________________________________
Name ……………………………………………………………………
Membership No …………………………………………………….
Contact telephone …………………………………………………
Email …………………………………………………………………….
Finally, the Club AGM will be held at the Regal on February 16th. The official notice will reach you at least three weeks prior to the event but this is a chance to put the occasion on your calendar.
Christmas and New Year festivities are behind us and, hopefully we are embarking on an improving future. I trust all our members achieved their aims and ambitions over the holidays, catching up with families and friends and enjoying themselves.
The KEBC Christmas Dinner at The Cottage was attended by 30 members and was generally acknowledged to have been a success. Many thanks to Linda for her organisational skills and the Cottage Hotel team for good food, wine and service. 14 members stayed overnight and were similarly full of praise for the hotel.
At present we are welcoming the return of members. If you haven’t yet paid your £15 membership subscription for 2022, please do so before January 31st. If you pay by standing order please check that you have changed the sum to £15. If you are unsure, contact treasurer@kebc.co.uk We will assume that members that haven’t renewed by the end of this month have resigned and their details will be deleted. The Club’s sort code is 30-94-72; Acc. No. 01223778.
There has been little interest shown in training courses to date, details are on the kebc web site under Training and Safety. Andy has to arrange bookings at Stokenham and will have to make decisions in the near future. Thus members interested need to contact Andy before next Monday, January 10th.
We have dates for your diaries. Club evenings are on January 19th, March 16th and April 10th with the AGM on February 16th. All 1900 for 1930. We are organising a wine tasting evening in the Regal Club for January 19th, full details will follow. At present one committee member will be standing down at the AGM and we will need a replacement. Any members, old or new, that think they would like to join a friendly bunch of people that meet roughly every other month should contact chairman@kebc.co.uk
Members’ adverts on our web site, www.kebc.co.uk are attracting items for sale and wanted. If you have extra gear you no longer use, or require more gadgets, visit the adverts page and add your items.
Please don’t forget that Covid has not yet left us. If you attend club meetings indoors, masks should be worn while moving around and it would be best to take a lateral flow test before attending. Government rules and guidelines must be followed at all times. On the water Salcombe Harbour Authority will publish its requirements on their web site.
Hope to see many of you soon,
Tony Watson
Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club
Your committee met on November 8th, the main topics of interest follow:
Boatwatch Steve Arblaster has volunteered to become Boatwatch coordinator and was welcomed on to the committee. He will be meeting team leaders in the New Year. Any member who wants to become a Boatwatch volunteer, but hasn’t yet done so, should contact Steve via boatwatch@kebc.co.uk
Kingsbridge berth charges. Subsequent to the October members’ evening and the October newsletter, no comments were received from members about the Salcombe Harbour Authority increase in charges for a mooring on the Kingsbridge pontoons. Consequently we will not be making any representations to SHA.
Membership. Your membership secretary, Penny would like to remind you of the time of year.
Membership Renewal For 2022
To renew your membership please pay your fee of £15 by 31st December.
The preferred method of payment is by BACS or Standing Order with your membership number and surname as reference.
As the membership has gone up we will be giving every renewing member a KEBC boat sticker as well as a tide table together with their membership card. These will be sent out in January.
Bank details sort code 30- 94-72 Account No. O1223778
If you have a standing order already set up , please change the amount and date .If any of your details have changed please let us know by emailing membership@kebc.co.uk
Don’t delay renew today.
Social events.
Our events coordinator Linda Lee has written the following about upcoming events
REMINDER ABOUT THE NEXT 2 EVENTS ON THE CLUB CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2021
The Regal Club, Kingsbridge at 7.00 for 7.30pmIllustrated talk by Rupert Kirkwood ‘The Lone Kayaker”ALL AT SEA ……. WATCHING WILDLIFE FROM A KAYAK’
His talk is about the amazing marine creatures that he has observed whilst clocking up over 27,000 miles of paddling around the coast of S W England.If you are planning to attend what should be a fascinating evening, please email Linda Lee events@kebc.co.uk just to give us a guide as to how many members to expect on the night.
WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021
4 Course Christmas Dinner £29 a head.
The Cottage Hotel, 7.00 for 7.30pm
Stay Overnight – Book direct with hotel £40 per person.
Coach Transport from Kingsbridge if enough support.
If you would like to make up a table of up to 12 persons please book on one form. Booking form/cheques/SAE to Linda Lee, The Barn, Coronet Place,
Fore Street,Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PT – as soon as possible please
OR
Bring Forms and Cheques to the next Meeting and Linda will have Tickets on Sale.
DONATIONS FOR THE RAFFLE WOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED
Menu and booking form can be found in the October newsletter.
Disposal of out of date flares.
The Government web site is very strong on what a boat owner must not do with out of date flares but is very weak on how to dispose of them legally. In our area Salcombe Boat Store will take time expired flares with a charge of £2 per flare. Force 4 might take them if it can be shown that they were purchased from them. I have been informed that, if you buy new flares from Darthaven Marina, they will accept your time expired ones. There do not appear to be any alternatives to these three locally. One committee member has offered to take the matter up with our MP.
Looking forward to seeing many of you again soon,
Tony Watson