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.