Club Newsletters

The KEBC Christmas dinner at the Cottage Hotel last Friday was a great success, 40 members attended and at least half of them stayed the night.  Breakfast was surprisingly cheerful and some members went for a swim!  Same time, same place next year??

We have been made aware of a consultation being carried out by the Devon and Severn Inshore Fishing Authority into the possibility of legalising and licensing gill net fishing within the Estuary.  Full details of what is involved and how to comment on the proposals are on the Devon and Severn Inshore Fishing and Conservation Authority web site. https://www.devonandsevernifca.gov.uk/formal-public-consultation-changes-to-the-netting-permit-conditions/ .More comments and amplification can be found on the web site of the Angling Trust; go to  https://anglingtrust.net/2023/11/27/statement-from-the-angling-trust–on-the-salcombe-kingsbridge–estuary-netting-proposal/  for more information.  I understand that the AOB oppose the suggestion that gill nets up to 100 metres long should be legally used within the estuary for a multitude of reasons.  Please make your own representations before the closing date of January 19th 2024.   The best time to make your feelings heard is NOW!

Your Committee met on the 18th at the Chairman’s home, the meeting was fairly brief and they subsequently enjoyed a pleasant social supper evening wiith partners.  Subjects discusssed at the meeting included the following:

Membership renewals are coming in steadily and Penny Masters is continuing to fill the role of Membership Secretary, many thanks Penny.  Tide tables and membership cards will be posted soon, probably after Christmas.

The receipts from raffles at the members’ evenings have increased this year to the extent that we might be able to extend the Kids Afloat scheme to an additional two primary schools.  The generosity of our members is much appreciated and it was reported that our Kids Afloat scheme is now a welcomed addition to many schools’ programmes.

On the web site the list of businesses giving discounts to members has been updated.  A new addition is EML Autos who are opposite the Crabshell.  For Your Eyes Only has changed its name to Huxter and Davey. On the calendar you will see that the next Members’ evening at the Regal is the annual wine tasting session with Barrel and Still on Wednesday January 17th.  Application and cost details will be available beforehand.

Conversations with the Harbour Authority on mooring availability in Kingsbridge and the possibility of a dinghy rack on the Kingsbridge slipway continue.  SHA is aware of the pontoon berths that, although paid for, are left unused throughout the year and are looking at ways to correct the situation.

This will almost certainly be my last communication this year so I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tony Watson.

KINGSBRIDGE ESTUARY BOAT CLUB
(THE CLUB)

The following from Andy Thomson, the RYA instructor who runs shore based training sessions for KEBC’

“Andy and Theresa Thomson will be exhibiting their ‘Boat on a Board’ offering at Malborough hall on the morning of December 16th. If you are going to be staying at the Cottage Hotel on the night of the 15th after the Club Christmas dinner why not take a very short detour and visit them on your way home? They would love to see you”.

Read on for details of the 2024 courses available.

KEBC 2024 winter workshops

Once again, KEBC is pleased to offer winter workshops and courses to our members. They are well proven, run by the Devon School of Navigation for KEBC and club members benefit from preferential rates. Non club members are welcome but we ask that you either join our club (£15 per year) or pay an additional £10 per half day session.
Here’s a chance to improve or refresh your VHF radio and local navigation skills while meeting other club members.
Booking deadline – we need to know numbers no later than January 31st 2024 to be able to confirm the room bookings. At this stage just contact Andy Thomson (he is also KEBC secretary) andy@thethomsons.info or 01548 581288 to reserve your place(s) and make a provisional booking. He’ll answer any queries you have.

Background

Andy has been running courses and workshops for KEBC members for many years. They receive good feedback from his students. He runs the Devon School of Navigation and teaches RYA shorebased courses (Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean). He runs VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) theory courses and is an RYA SRC examiner.

Contact Andy if any of these courses are of interest to you. There’s also a ‘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. To gain your SRC you have to learn the necessary theory and pass a short practical exam. The cost for the theory (if you enrol via Andy on the Royal Yachting Association’s online course) is £65. The practical exam takes about an hour and a half and the RYA currently charge £70 per person. This includes their payment to your examiner so there’s no other charge. Andy would be pleased to enrol you on the theory and run your practical exam. Contact him to discuss your needs and how best to address them.

KEBC Workshops

These are NOT RYA courses and don’t have exams or certificates. Their aim is to help you learn more about some of the key topics that affect our boating whilst in a reasonably relaxed and ‘fun’ environment and working with other club members.
They are classroom based and run as ‘half day’ modules (roughly three hours teaching plus time for a tea / coffee break and a chat). Most people prefer morning sessions and the schedule overleaf reflects this. Afternoon or early evening sessions can be arranged. We limit class sizes to a maximum of six people. The prices below include handouts, refreshments and room hire.

“Practical VHF”

If you rarely use your boat’s radio then this workshop is for you.

Mobile phones are better than nothing but, at sea, VHF radio is, by far, the better way to handle a problem or emergency. This workshop addresses a widespread problem – most people don’t use their marine radios enough or even at all and they become de-skilled.
Come to this workshop and regain your VHF skills. Feedback from attendees can be summarised as “great fun and very useful”
It builds your PRACTICAL skills by using real marine VHF radios with realistic scenarios. It is ideal for ‘rusty’ SRC holders and is suitable for both beginners and more advanced users Sign up to Join in the best way to practice your radio skills and it’s just before the boating season starts.

  1. Duration: One half day
  2. Cost per person:£35
  3. Provisional date 13thMarch 2024. 09:30 to 13:00.

“Know your waters”

We always seem to follow the same route and it can get very crowded.
There’s nothing like knowing the waters where you do your boating. Salcombe can get very crowded but if you know what you are doing then you may be able to find peaceful areas. This workshop teaches you about navigating in our local waters so you can enjoy your boating more, 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. The date is 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. We’ll talk about electronics but not use them as part of the course.

  1. Duration: Two half days
  2. Cost per person:£65
  3. Provisional Dates:6th and 7th March 2024. 09:30 to 13:00 both days.

Notes

  1. 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.
    1. 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.
    2. 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 2023.We may have to pass on any external price increases imposed on us and the cost of the room is why we’ve had to slightly increase the price this year over last.

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.If you have a strong preference for other dates let Andy know.We’ll confirm arrangements, numbers etc. early February 2024.

Bookings and refunds. We will acknowledge 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. After that, sorry, but the course fee is due in full. If Andy has to cancel a course for any reason then we will refund all the money you have paid. That is the full extent of his liability to you.

KEBC’s 2024 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 / RYA shorebased course 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

Roger Barrett’s talk about Salcombe sailing history on Wednesday 15th, was well received by over 30 members, many of whom purchased books.  Roger donated his fee and our raffle takings to his charity, Salcombe Maritime Museum.

During the evening Richard Smith, our bosun, announced that he had had a conversation with EML Autos who have recently opened their premises opposite the Crabshell, previously Waterside Garage.  EML are offering members of KEBC a 5% discount across the board on production of their membership cards.  Their contact details are available on our web site (www.kebc.co.uk) under information/business links, their web site is currently under construction but will  be www.emlautos.com

I am in the process of checking other companies on the list of those offering discounts so keep an eye on the list as there are changes with more in the pipeline.

There are some interesting items for sale in the list of members’ adverts, also on our web site.  A page well worth visiting regularly

Bookings for Christmas at the Cottage Hotel are coming in steadily, if you haven’t booked yet please contact Linda to do so.  Menus, etc. are available below.

Thanks to those members who have already paid their subs for 2024  If you pay by standing order please check that the date and amount are correct.  If you use direct debit, the joining and renewal page on the kebc web site gives you instructions; the club’s bank details are sort code 30-94-72;  Acc. No. 01223778.  Payment is requested before December 31st and members who haven’t renewed by January 31st 2024 will be removed from the membership list.  Please remember all our officers are unpaid volunteers, please try to make life a bit easier for them by paying your sub on time.

I hope to see many of you at the Cottage Hotel in December.

Tony Watson.

KEBC CHRISTMAS 3 COURSE DINNER  December 15th 2023

THIS IS A  BOOKING FORM FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Please fill in the Order Form below for the Meals for every member of your group so that you will be sitting together.

Please SEND YOUR PAYMENT AND A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE as tickets will be sent to you. Your payment will not be cashed until after the meal.
TO     Linda Lee, The Barn, Coronet Place, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1PT Reservations only accepted with payment.

The Menu is for Three Courses and includes Coffee/Tea and Mint
at a cost of £32 including a Tip
Wine can be ordered on the night. House Red, White, Rose      £24.00 per bottle.

STARTERS
A.  Home-Made Soup of the Day
Crusty Bread
B.  Pan-Fried King Prawns,  Sourdough Bruschetta
Coriander Butter
C.  Duck Confit, Wild Mushroom Terrine
Apple Chutney, Salad Leaves
D.  Vegetable Cake
 Tomato and Lentil Stew(v)
E.  Poached  Pear, Crushed Walnuts
Redcurrant Jelly, Clementine & Rocket leaf Salad(v)

MAIN COURSES
1. Traditional Roast Turkey
With all the trimmings
2.  Slow -Braised Beef
Bubble & Squeak, Parsnip Chips, Red Wine Jus
3.  Spiced Roast Duck
with Rich Port Gravy
4.  Salmon Fillet, Lime and Pistachio Crust
Crab and Prawns White Wine Sauce
5.  Aubergine Rolls, Spinach and Ricotta
Tomato Sauce, Parmesan Shavings (v)

Served with a Selection of Seasonal Vegetables and Potatoes

DESSERTS
A Trio of Home-Made Sweets
****
Coffee/Tea and Mint

The Cottage Hotel have offered Bed & Breakfast Accommodation at £60 per person (Balcony) £55 per person (Seaview) £40 per person (Inland facing).

Book DIRECT with the Hotel.

CHEQUES would be preferable as in the event of cancellation they only have to be torn up DO NOT PAY ON ONLINE BANKING.

Final numbers 30th November 2023 at the latest – would welcome early bookers!

CLICK HERE FOR MEAL BOOKING FORM

On November 15th. Roger Barrett will talk about his book A Maritime History of Salcombe which, of course, includes references to the fruit schooners built in Kingsbridge.  At the Regal, 7pm for 7.30.  The evening with Simon Ballantine on Nov. 1st attracted 40 members and I expect Roger’s talk to be similarly successful, be early to get a good seat!

Bookings for Christmas at the Cottage Hotel are coming in steadily, if you haven’t booked yet please contact Linda to do so.  All details follow in this message.

I hate to mention it but subscription renewal time is here again; still only £15 pa it represents good value.  If you pay by standing order please check that the date and amount are correct.  If you use direct debit, the joining and renewal page on the kebc web site gives you instructions; the club’s bank details are sort code 30-94-72;  Acc. No. 01223778.  Payment is requested before December 31st and members who haven’t renewed by January 31st 2024 will be removed from the membership list.  Please remember all our officers are unpaid volunteers, please try to make life a bit easier for them by paying your sub on time.

We have a change of personnel on the KEBC committee. Piers Rogers, who has given so much of his time to the club over the years, has resigned and is handing the post of Treasurer over to David Brimson.  Thank you Piers for all that you have done for the Club and welcome David, thanks for volunteering to take on the task.

Discussions with Salcombe Harbour Authority about dinghy racks on the Kingsbridge slipway and moorings in Kingsbridge are ongoing.  They are unable to give us a timescale but I do know that they are trying to pursue both matters and we are in constant contact.  Either the Harbour Master or his assistant will be at our AGM in February to give us updates and take questions.

Boatwatch has drawn to a close for 2023 after a relatively quiet summer.  Thanks to all the volunteers that carry out patrols and report incidents; your work is appreciated not only by boat owners but also by the Harbour staff.  We always need more volunteers.  The work is not onerous and you will only give up as much time as you can spare.  Contact details are on www.kebc.co.uk  under services.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our final events for 2023.

Tony Watson

Our next social event was scheduled for October 18th but our speaker has had to postpone his talk until November 1st. due to illness. Simon Ballantine left Salcombe, with crew, in his boat, Questar to make the first ever recorded ascent of Cape Desolation in southern Greenland and this is his story.  Be at the Regal at 7pm for 7.30 on November 1st to hear and see it.

Your committee met on October 16th.  The Bosun, Richard Smith gave the committee a report  on the future of the club trailer which contains some of the equipment which is available for use by club members and gear used at shows.  The vehicle  might need a new home in the not too distant future.  Richard is in contact with Salcombe RNLI who have shown an interest in sharing the use of the trailer and the committee asked him to continue with negotiations.
It had been suggested that the Club should have a Facebook page.  After extensive discussion it was decided that, as maintaining a page is fairly labour intensive, we would not take up the idea.

The subject of the annual subscription amount was raised briefly, we decided to look more closely at it at our January meeting.  Any change will not come into effect until 1st. January 2025 so we will need to do some crystal ball gazing at the possibiity of further inflationary increases in costs.  In particular the cost of liability insurances for Boatwatch personnel and your committee, both of which are essential.

There are a couple of changes in committee personnel scheduled, more on this once we have finalised the arrangements.

Details and booking forms for the Christmas dinner at The Cottage Hotel will be with you shortly

On November 15th Roger Barrett will introduce his book A Maritime History of Salcombe and its Merchant Sailing Vessels in the Nineteenth Century.  Roger won the Devon History Society’s 2018 Roger Hoskin prize for this book; many of the boats were built in Kingsbridge.  Again 7pm for 7.30 at the Regal.

Wine Tasting is scheduled for January 17th., the AGM for February 21st and a film of boat builder Mike Atfield’s life on March 20th;  Mike will be present along with his autobiography.  All at the Regal, 7pm for 7.30

Hope to see many of you on November 1st.

Tony Watson

Upcoming events and Show report.

Click here for the calendar for our winter social events, as it stands at the moment, up to February 2024; the subsequent dates will be filled as we find speakers. If you have any ideas or know people with interesting stories, please let me or Linda know.

I can add that we had a good day at the Kingsbridge Show, the weather was perfect, numerous members came to see us with questions and suggestions and new members are joining as a direct result of conversations with the stand staff.  My thanks to those that gave up their time to be there, a photo of the stand is at the end of this letter.

Enjoy this extra sunny period, see you in a couple of weeks, there will be a glass of wine for all attendees of the first social event of the season

Tony Watson

Our stand at the 2023 Kingsbridge Show.