Dear Friends
It feels like this year has flown by and yet stood still. So much has changed and yet so little has happened.
Along with our Fitting Out and Laying Up Suppers, the Christmas Party is a favourite of mine. Seeing people having fun, getting merry (in all senses of the word!), dancing and simply enjoying each other’s company, makes your soul feel good. I am a little sad that this year it was not to be but, rest assured in true Windsor Yacht Club spirit, next year we will lift the roof!
Sunday would have been our AGM which has been deferred until May time next year (to be announced later). In the meantime, I would like to share a few items.
Firstly, we want to assure you that the Club is in a strong financial position, with there being only a minimal difference in our bank balance from the beginning to the end of the year. We have extended our accounts period for this year to finish on 31st March 2020 and the financial information will be covered at the deferred AGM.
Secondly, the Club has been well looked after over the lockdown period with regular checks being made. Of course, before we reopen and once it is permitted, we may be looking for volunteers to help with a lick of paint and a spruce up. I am sure there will be a scramble to help with many of us just grateful to be together!
Lastly, I want to say thank you to Keith Clark and Chris Turner who have resigned from their roles as Trustees after many years of dedicated and loyal service to the Club. Two new Trustees have been appointed, namely John Forsaith and Clive Drinkwater. Thank you, gentlemen, for offering your services along with our other long serving Trustee, John Donovan.
With the disappointment of having to cancel the Dinner Dance, it has not been possible to convey my thanks to the following, without the support of whom The Windsor Yacht Club would not be the success it is, so thank you to:
The Committee, for our regular virtual meetings and who continue to work behind the scenes and for all the advice and experience shared.
Kate, our Honorary Secretary, for her support and the administration of the club, mostly in the early hours when we are still tucked up in bed. Also, for lending me your ear in times of uncertainty and for the sound advice.
Our Honorary Treasurer, Steve Whybrow, for keeping tight control of the books and expenditure. Steve has also been our stand in Bar Manager this year, thank you.
Our Membership Secretary, Mark Ballinger, in dealing with members’ applications, renewals and records
Our Maintenance Specialist, Martin Browne, who has continued to carry out repairs over the year
Jayne Law, as Quarter Master, keeping us well supplied with the essentials, not to forget loo rolls (being such a precious commodity this year) and of course the dreaded hand sanitizer
Martin Fessey for taking our booking lists for the events (albeit only a few!)
Lorraine Knibbs for looking after the Regalia
Terry Knibbs, for his lengthy negotiations with MDL relating to the Lease renewal (which looks very promising and details to follow next year)
Ian Newman, for taking care of our website and the organisation of our email addresses
Andy Pope, for all his hard work on our Covid Risk Assessments and ensuring we comply with the regulations.
Martin Fessey has now resigned from the Committee and I would like to thank him for his commitment over the years, although he has kindly offered to continue dealing with the Club’s insurances. Ian Newman is also stepping down and again thank you for taking such good care of our website. We are now looking for volunteers to join the Committee and for a Webmaster to take over from Ian. Please contact any Committee member to volunteer. Your Club needs you!!
Thank you to Tony Riley, Acting Chair of ATYC, for his excellent work in communications with the EA and all things river and for keeping us well informed at all times.
We did have a full programme of events and cruises organised for the year and it started well with the success of our Members and Burns evenings in January, followed by Valentines and Quiz nights in February and our last event before the dreaded "C" word, the Boat Jumble in March, where we raised £180 for the RNLI. Thank you to the Chefs and all who assisted in the Galley for the delicious restaurant quality food you produced, as always you are amazing! Not to forget those who decorated our tables so beautifully.
We also managed to fit in a bankside at Boveney, which was a great weekend! I want to say thank you to our Rear Commodores, Clive Drinkwater and Rob Cackett for organising the Sail Past. This was one of the most memorable days of my life, so thank you to all who took part and those who came to support us.
Special thanks to Andy Stephens, Vince & Linda Haffenden, Dave Antill and Rob Cackett, all of whom put so much time and organisation into this year’s Easter Cruise and the Commemorative 80th Anniversary Dunkirk cruise, which were sadly both cancelled. More thanks to Dave Antill for generously giving his time to arrange the plotting and passage plan courses in the Clubhouse and for running the popular virtual Quiz afternoons.
This year has been so difficult but the one thing that has raised all our spirits is our Channel 6 Publication. I want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to Gill Rodgers, you have kept us connected and lightened our days, along with everybody who contributed articles, advice, pictures and jokes. You are all Stars!
A huge thank you to Melanie Pope, we had the most wonderful start to the year, and this was made possible by having you as my Wing Woman. Thank you for the daily phone calls and our friendship. Mel will be taking over as Acting Commodore from January and I wish her all the best and success for next year. I will be continuing as a Committee member to assist as I can. Last, but most definitely not least, to my wonderful husband Colin, who is my rock and my support always. We have exciting times ahead with the birth of our grandson and other plans.
To all our wonderful Members, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. I am looking forward to next year when we can hopefully socialise, cruise and party together. Warmest Wishes
Karen Weight xx