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November Newsletter
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
October Newsletter
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
2023-2024 Calendar of Events
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.
Summer 2023
Schools have closed for summer and an exciting test match has been stopped by rain, a proper English summer has arrived at last. With our usual optimism we are going to arrange an evening cruise around the estuary in company, in our own boats, with a picnic in the best spot dictated by the weather, at the time. August 31st., a full moon evening, is the date for your diaries, precise time and location of our initial rendezvous to be decided – any suggestions?
I have recently learned that out of date flares may be disposed of with Ocean Safety, Plymouth. There are no conditions, they accept any flares. They are at Unit 6, Eastern Wood Road, Langage Business Park, Plymouth, PL7 5ET, Tel. 01752 341787, plymouth@oceansafety.com
Research has been carried out to establish the probable cost to members of a club pennant. Steve Arblaster would like to know how many of you would be willing to pay either £15 or £20 for one. Please reply to him on boatwatch@kebc.co.uk to give us some idea of demand.
Don’t forget we have a stand at the Kingsbridge Show on September 2nd. Volunteers to man the stand are still needed, please contact Ben Harris ben@goggleboxuk.com to book your time slot. You get free entry to the Show as a reward.
Some photographs of the Club’s visit to the Salcombe RNLI station follow. Around 30 members were shown over both boats in 2 groups by members of the crew. The weather was kind, enthusiasm was high and the RNLI report that they would be happy to repeat the experience. If enough of you tell me you would like to visit the station before the end of September I will ask the crew if they would like to see us. Otherwise it will be next year once the evenings start to draw out.
A report with photos of the KEBC cruise in company to Dartmouth is now on the web site, kebc.co.uk, under What’s On/News and Events. Thanks to Steve Arblaster for this report.
Happy boating,
Tony Watson
June 2023 Newsletter
Kingsbridge Town Council and the Skateboard committe are holding a meeting this Thursday afternoon/evening for members of the public to view and comment on the proposed skateboard park development at the top of the Kingsbridge slipway. It will be roughly twice the size of the present area. Salcombe Harbour Authority are aware of the project. Unfortunately I will be away so it will be up to members to attend the meeting and give their opinions. The following link will take you to the meeting details and I would urge members to take an interest.
https://kingsbridge.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Public-consultation-1-Jun-23-press-release.pdf?fbclid=IwAR22NSJquq1t3r9qBd8CUZAr5aLUp9sWZImeSJy-dazvZ9Ivorwm80LVc3Q
On June 23rd. our first cruise in company takes place with a trip to Dartmouth, more details available on previous newsletters which are on the web site. If you have not yet entered, and are interested, please contact the organiser, Ian Slade on 07789 727253 or sladeian@icloud.com
On July 5th.we have a visit to RNLI Salcombe between 1600 and 1800. A member of the crew will give guided tours of the boats and the station, it is essential that you contact Linda Lee, events@kebc.co.uk to book your place.
Last Wednesday evening some members visited Prawle Point NCI station. In perfect weather we were greeted warmly by the NCI officers on duty and they explained their duties and equipment. A thoroughly enjoyable visit was followed by a compulsory stop at the Pigs Nose for refreshment before returning to Kingsbridge.
I trust you are enjoying the sunshine, although some overnight rain would be helpful.
Tony Watson
May 2023 Newsletter
Your committee met on May 15th at The Regal, the following is a summary of subjects discussed.
All members are invited to visit Prawle Point National Coastwatch Institution lookout on May 24th. The visit starts at 1730 and finishes at 1945, please would any members expecting to arrive after 1830 contact me on 07831 692652, text or call, and give me your ETA.
On June 23rd. our first cruise in company takes place with a trip to Dartmouth, more details available on previous newsletters which are on the web site. If you have not yet entered, and are interested, please contact the organiser, Ian Slade on 07789 727253 or sladeian@icloud.com
On July 5th.we have a visit to RNLI Salcombe between 1600 and 1800. A member of the crew will give guided tours of the boats and the station, please contact Linda Lee, events@kebc.co.uk to book your place.
We are contemplating an estuary cruise in late summer, possibly using club members’ boats. Your comments on the idea would be welcomed.
September 2nd. is Kingsbridge Show Day, where we again have a stand in a marquee. We will be asking for volunteers to man the stand in due course.
Christmas dinner is booked at the Cottage Hotel on Friday December 15th. with the opportunity to stay overnight. More details later.but please mark your calendar.
KEBC, with South Pool Boat Club and Singing Paddles, has now confirmed this years’ Kids Afloat event. 120 primary school pupils from schools in the area will be taken afloat in canoes to introduce them to the joys of boating. Future KEBC members??
Ben Harris is looking into setting up a club Facebook page, more on this as it progresses.
Both training workshops ran successfully this year and we will be putting a programme together for 2024.
A review of the Club’s insurance requirements is taking place with a view to reducing costs.
Our next Committee meeting will be on July 10th, if you have any points you would like us to discuss please let a committee member know.
Hope to see many of you at Prawle next Wednesday, enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.
Tony Watson