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Derwentwater Autumn Weekend (ChrisR)
Our tour of the roadworks of the M1 and M6 meant we missed the delights of the pub on Friday night. I am assured that beer and convivial atmosphere made a fine alternative to a decidedly soggy campsite.
Saturday morning brought light winds but extremely low cloud accompanied intermittently by that peculiar Lakeland drizzle that gets you thoroughly wet through. Despite this, the turnout was excellent with all the usual suspects present. The lug ketch rig of DaveP was the subject of much interest both for its aesthetics and the way it performed. Another new boat had a fence post for an outrigger - surely a prize for resourcefulness is warranted? The light winds allowed a very pleasant cruise to an island for lunch 'al fresco'. The afternoon was a mixture of cruising and teashop touring. The gravitational pull of Auntie Wainwright's scones and jam proved too much for the majority and the added draw of the chandlers upstairs resulted in the kind of spending usually associated with the January sales.
As the breeze quickened that evening it gave the opportunity for a fine sail, possibly the last before the dark days of winter. So many of the meets have been plagued by strong winds this year... An evening meal was booked at the sailing club, and most took the opportunity for a pleasant evening inside discussing boats, sailing and solving all the world's problems. The food was very good, although there was some disappointment regarding the lack of drinkable beer on tap - the dregs of the barrel were decidedly off!
During the night the wind that had been forecast for the whole weekend surfaced. The campsite was in a sheltered spot, which meant all those thinking of racing were watching the early birds out on the water with interest. Six boats entered the first race, a sailing-paddling race. It was exciting for the spectators as first one boat and then another capsized. Only Rod was unable to right his boat himself and required the assistance of the rescue boat, as binoculared spectators watched his progress from the shore. IanG also required assistance as the wind whisked him away downwind. Four boats finished, and JohnE decided that this had been enough excitement for one day, and further races were cancelled.
Committee Report (PeteH)
Several people have expressed an interest in finding out what goes on at committee meetings, so in future a potted version will be published in The Gossip. I drew the short straw, so I'm writing the first one. Please note: this is the potted version so a lot of ifs and buts have been skipped.
Starting with the incidental items:
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The committee agreed to publish a summary of committee meetings in The Gossip.
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The Treasurer asked if he could have all the 1999 accounts by the end of the month.
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The £1 meet fee was dropped; rationale: it was easier than once again trying to decide precisely who had to pay the meet fee and under what circumstances (someone always argues when the weather is bad). It is a significant chore for the meet organiser to collect the fee and not having a meet fee simplifies the accounts. Instead it was agreed that the organiser could submit an itemised expense claim (to a maximum of £15) to cover any telephone calls, postage, photocopying or prizes.
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With respect to the above, the committee reiterated that travelling expenses were not to be paid; rationale: the amount that could reasonably be claimed could exceed the group's total assets.
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The Secretary presented a copy of the group's insurance document. A flyer showing the structure of the BCU insurance scheme is included in The Gossip.
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Lastly, the major item. Following our ongoing investigations into the group's insurance cover, we are advised that the only way to limit the OCSG members' liability in the event of a compensation claim against the group is for the OCSG to become a 'private company limited by guarantee'. This does not affect the visible workings of the group in any significant way. It requires a one-off fee of approximately £500 (and a subsequent smaller annual fee, to be determined on application), some headed paper, a brass plaque and a competent Treasurer and Secretary! After a short discussion, all agreed to the proposal in principle. A final decision to be taken by the membership at a later date.
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Finally, a couple of items of interest from the Ullswater committee meeting:
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It seems that once again the launching fees are due to rise at Rudyard Lake, together with new restrictions on when we could be allowed to sail if we were to hold a meet there (these restrictions could be serious if there was a fishing match on the same day). As the Rudyard meet was already the most expensive meet on the calendar, it was decided to cancel the booking and look for
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