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.

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.

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