LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB: AGM Minutes, 2012 Programme and Commodore's Report

AGM Minutes, 2012 Programme and Commodore's Report

Loch Broom Sailing Club

AGM 7 April 2012 Royal Hotel 6.30pm

Minutes

Present: Paul Copestake, Robert White, John Osborne , John Coe, Jill Bruce, Bobby Osborne, Andy Reeve, Will Copestake, Adrian Morgan, Donald Buchanan, Kate Copestake, John McRae, Sandy Osborne, Ruby Coe, Sue Evans, Fraser Fotheringham, Jason Leon, Alex Fotheringham, Shona Osborne, Alec Reilly, Julia Ridgman, Robin Campbell

Apologies: Stuart and Susie Anderson, Paul Driver, Gilly Meighan

Minutes of AGM/EGM

Minutes of AGM 26 March 2011 were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting . Proposed/seconded: Robin/ Donald

Minutes of EGM 4 February 2012 were approved. Sandy/Jason

Commodore’s Report

(a full transcript is appended and can be found on the blog www.lochbroomsailingclub.blogspot.com

· A successful year, with lots of sailing. “The challenge of the committee is to ensure that all voices are heard and that we can offer the full range of activities for all members to pick and mix as they choose.”

· Regattas brought together all classes successfully. A small flotilla made it to the Orkneys and club members ventured as far afield as Jan Meyen and the Summer Isles.

· Flying Fifteens were most active, with four private and three club boats afloat at times and often racing as a fleet, with nine afloat for the new season.

· Loki was launched and enjoyed throughout the season, scoring notable successes at the Ullapool regatta with three medals won.

· Major improvements to the club house, with a shed built, drying room and hatch driven through from kitchen to club room, which will now be a dry room, and other modifications.

Treasurer’s Report

The treasurer John Coe reported that the club made a loss of around £2,000 in 2011, mostly down to the cost of the RIB repair and club refurbishments which will add to the capital value of the club’s assets.

An EGM in February was called (the first ever) to introduce a surer basis for collecting fees and a simplified fee structure which should yield £2,830 in 2012, as against around £2,000.

This fee now entitles members to use all the club assets with no further payment, and represents a significant saving to some categories of membership, notably actively engaged families.

Some members had yet to “upgrade” their standing orders, and were urged to do so.

Jason suggested that greater casual use of the club and assets might be encouraged with a standing advert in the Ullapool News. And a notice on the club wall to that effect.

A system for collecting casual fees, and bar receipts, was needed – possibly using the old slot in the counter, with a padlocked door.

In principle income generated by a class should be put down to that class. In general there should be more accountability to establish if classes “pay their way”.

In the bank: £5,202, with more income due from members late in upgrading their subs.

Proposed/seconded: Donald/Alex

Election of committee

Commodore: John Osborne (Paul Copetake/ Robin Campbell)

Vice Commodore: Paul Copestake (John Osborne/ Robert White)

Secretary: Adrian Morgan (Paul Copestake/Robert White)

Treasurer: John Coe (John Osborne/Adrian Morgan)

Membership Secretary: Rona Johnson (Johns Coe/ Sue Evans)

Committee: Robert White, Sue Evans, Jill Bruce, Paul Driver, Bobby Osborne, Seamus Nairn, Sandy Osborne, Robin Campbell, Donald Buchanan, Mike Connor, Chris Steventon, Gilly Meighan, Sue Evans (plus club officers)

Constitution changes

Technical changes to the constitution, regarding the new fee structure, were approved unanimously.

2012 Season

A full programme is appended and can also be found on the blog. Note the monthly trophy races, which will be conducted with all the rigour of the RYA rules (as applied by Race Officer John Coe)

Other business

John Coe handed out Smartie boxes in which members are encouraged to save 20p pieces for the club, an idea that was considered excellent, initially nutritious and latterly lucrative...

Meeting closed 7.20pm

Loch Broom Sailing Club Commodore’s Report 2011

In 2011 LBSC has been very busy, with a lot of activity at the sailing club both on and off the water. In a small place like Ullapool, there will always be some concern that such diversity stretches both our human and financial resources; move on! Debate as to what the club does is healthy because energy breeds enthusiasm; of course amongst this vitality, the challenge for the committee is to ensure that all voices are heard and that we can offer the full range of activities for all members to pick and mix as they choose. The club now has a blog managed by our secretary, Adrian, a great resource for posting news; http://lochbroomsailingclub.blogspot.co.uk/, it is updated regularly

Regattas,

The club regatta in August was a success bringing together flying fifteen, Pico and Cruiser activity. Loch Broom also hosted other water based events; the Tall Ships organised by the Harbour in July was a great event as were the skiff regattas at Coigach and Ullapool.

Cruising

A small flotilla made it to Orkney and I made it back from Sweden. There were many trips to the Summer Isles, notably in July with a memorable race around the Tanera Beg. Club members joined Tim Loftus successfully reaching Jan Mayer in the Arctic, nothing in comparison to the extremes faced in the September storm cruise!

Picos

Generation two grow in confidence and we held a second training week. This was led by an RYA senior instructor CarolAnn MacKay and supported by Paul D, Beth and Emma: By borrowing boats from Loch Carron we saw almost 20 kids achieve certificates at various levels. CarolAnn was able to also squeeze some powerboat training which complements the training others had taken at Channory in Fortrose. Beth has also gone on to acquire her instructor’s certificate. Activity was maintained after the training and there is a good core of youths that will enable events to continue in 2012.

Flying fifteens

An extremely energetic and enthusiastic sector, afloat first and hauled out last there were 7 boats on the water with regular racing on Thursday evening and Saturday Afternoon. Starting is much improved as is our knowledge of racing rules and fine tweaks to keep boats with a competitive edge! The Regatta included a 15 taster session which has hooked in new enthusiasts – 2012 will see 9 boats afloat and the prospect of a formal race series and introduction of Donald’s Ladder!’

Skiff

2011 marks the arrival of Coastal Rowing in Ullapool in a big way. The sailing club launched Loki at Easter and it has been used regularly ever since. The club also entered a formal agreement allowing Ullapool Coastal Rowing to use the club as a base for their activities. With their two boats (Ulla and the schools boat Cul Mor) and Coigach Lass in Achiltibuie; Loch Broom is now a focal point for the revival of coastal rowing. Loki and crews acquitted themselves with honour at the local Coigach and Ullapool regattas. The pattern is set for 2012

Clubhouse

With all the increased use the clubhouse was showing its limitations and it was clear that it needed sprucing up. A new shed has been constructed that allows the old store to be used as a changing area. In turn this means that the main room can be declared a dry zone! It has been redecorated to high standard and after a spell of destruction a new bar has been created linking the main room to the Kitchen. Opened in style with a massive curry party – a human density normally the reserve of the saloon of Eileen Dubh!

There is a lot of promise that 2012 will continue to be as busy as ever. In February we had an EGM (first ever?) to amend the clubs payments to facilitate use by club members of club boats. We have also identified club champions for each of key activities; John Osborne (Cruising), Adrian Morgan (Flying Fifteens), Paul Driver (Picos) and Paul and Kate Copestake (Skiff).

2011 achieved a lot, but there is room for improvement; perhaps mostly being organised with our programme of events and inducting new members into the full range of club activities. Both are signs of growth, which is positive and as the signs of spring are all around (feverish activity on boats ashore and the smell of anti-fouling); I am looking forward to a full and exciting season afloat!

Paul Copestake 7^th April 2012

2012 timetable
7th April	Easter Saturday - Agm
21st April	OK tides for launching Cruisers,
22nd April	Launch of Flying Fifteens, first race on the 22nd April.
5th May	Spring tides, Good date for launching Cruisers.
12th May	Pico Shakedown!
13^th May	FF Cup Race number 1 (sponsored by Jill) – spring BBQ
19th and 20th May	Overnight Tanera Cruise, Coigach Skiff Regatta.
25th to 28th May	4 day shakedown cruise
10^th June	FF Cup Race number 2
22nd June to 1st July	8 Day summer cruise.
2nd to 6th July	Pico Week
9th to 14th July	Maritime festival Stornoway.
22^nd July	FF Cup Race number 3
late July	Summer Isles Cruise?
11th and 12th August	Ullapool Skiff Regatta
18th and 19th August	LBSC Regatta, this is the weekend after the school starts. Includes FF Cup Race no 4
21st September	Loopallu
23^rd September	Final FF Cup Race
Late September	Storm Cruise
Mid October	Agreed haul-out weekend

This in addition to regular events which include:

Flying fifteeens – wednesday or thursday evening and sunday lunchtime

Skiffs – saturday morning

Pico – to be agreed

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Self reliance rather than certification is a strong tradition in the Highlands, both afloat and ashore. We may appear to be among the most laid back sailing clubs in the country, which doesn't mean that we take safety lightly; far from it: you soon get bitten, sailing up here, but we rely on commonsense and the expertise of members, rather than an over reliance on certificates.

Take advice from an experienced sailor if in doubt about going afloat. Less confident sailors should stay in an area where you can be easily seen and quickly reached.

Do not sail in a boat or in weather conditions that are beyond your competence.

In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and the advice of those who know the area from many years’ experience of its moods.

Welcome to the Loch Broom Sailing Club. Our club is one which has traditionally had a fairly informal and non-disciplined attitude towards its running. As membership and facilities continue to grow there is, however, a need to be more rigorous and structured in our approach with safety being paramount and we do demand that certain safety standards are adhered to at all times.

The club was founded on the competitive edge of racing in largely single class boats. From there it developed into cruising/racing and thence to long distance cruising. Currently, the fleet of Flying Fifteens and more recently Picos has stimulated the competitive edge and we now see a resurgence of interest in racing in general - and this is to be encouraged.

The club is run by an elected committee and it has generally been the case that a regular core of committee members have been the mainstay of annual maintenance and repair to the clubhouse and its assets. We currently have a desire to improve the clubhouse and its surroundings, to maintain and look after the club boats, to organise training, to organise racing, to supervise Pico sailing, to be race starter, to chase grant aid - to name but a few of the ongoing requirements. We therefore welcome assistance from members who feel that they could help with, or perhaps take ownership, of any of these roles. We welcome new blood on the committee. If you would like to volunteer for any of these roles or feel you could contribute in any way to the running of the club we would be pleased to hear from you. Alternatively, please feel free to attend any of our committee meetings and offer your assistance.

The club occupies a very prominent position and we are under scrutiny from locals and visitors alike. It is essential that we maintain the appearance of the club, its environs and its assets - and for this we rely mainly on the enthusiasm and commitment of members. We would encourage you therefore to take your share of work during the many work parties that we intend to convene over the summer and winter periods.

Work parties unfortunately (or fortunately) have to fit between summer racing and cruising commitments and between winter training and boat maintenance - and that is before even considering the demands of normal family life - such is the life of a sailor.

SAFETY

Loch Broom Sailing Club recognises that there are always risks associated with sailing. The club policy is based on the following principles:

Responsibility for the safe operation of the club rests with the members.

The guidelines will ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, safe conditions are maintained within the clubhouse and compound, and minimise the risks associated with activities on the water.

Club members have a duty of care to take all reasonable steps to avoid injuring other club members and water users or damaging others equipment.

Members participate in all activities, which are not club training events, at their own risk.

Children are the responsibility of their parent, guardian or a supervising adult during these activities. The club does not carry out risk assessments for members taking part in these activities; it is the responsibility of individual members to make their own assessments of risk, taking into account factors such as weather, tides, skill, experience, equipment etc.

Members are free to use club facilities and assets at any time, subject to the individual rules for the club’s Picos, Flying Fifteens and St Ayles skiff. However they should remember that safety cover is only available at organised club events and therefore they are sailing entirely at their own risk.

A fundamental principle of maritime law is that the skipper is responsible for the safety of his vessel and crew. It is the skipper's responsibility to decide whether to start or continue a race.

The club has only one Rule covering all water activities at all times: Life jackets or buoyancy aids (appropriate CE approved, eg min.150N life jackets or 50N buoyancy aids) must be worn by all those on or in the water.

Fair Winds!

LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB

We may appear to be among the most laid back sailing clubs in the country, which doesn't mean that we take safety lightly; far from it: you soon get bitten, sailing up here, but we rely on commonsense and the expertise of members, rather than an over reliance on certificates.

We have a number of members who have qualified as safety boat drivers, and coaches at various levels, and some of the older ones also have qualifications ranging from level 2 powerboat to Yachtmaster. RIB drivers must have level 2 Powerboat, minimum.

But self reliance rather than certification is a strong tradition in the Highlands, both afloat and ashore.

Nevertheless we are constantly debating our approach to safety, anxious however not to spoil the ethos of a club that prides itself on being not only laid back but responsible.

Members and other users of our facilities must take responsibilityfor their own safety both afloat and ashore. The club will do its best to provide on-water safety cover, but that does not alter individual responsibility. The safety boat is not always deployed for races, which puts the onus on fellow racers to assist if another boat is in trouble. Acceptance of this policy is a condition of going afloat.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

As a club member or visitor, you have a duty to both yourself and to other club users as regards safety. This duty means acting responsibly whilst on club premises, including in the use of the boat park andin the supervision of your children.

You can improve your own on-water safety by adopting the following:

Take advice from an experienced sailor if in doubt about going afloat. Less confident sailors should stay in an area where you can be easily seen and quickly reached.

Do not sail in a boat or in weather conditions that are beyond your competence.

In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and the advice of those who know the loch from many years’ experience of its moods.

But above all, enjoy your sailing, within your personal limits.

FACILITIES

Picnic Tables and Barbecue: The club has two substantial picnic tables in front of the clubhouse and a basic barbecue. These are used for social events and are available for use on an ad-hoc basis.

Club Room and Kitchen: The Clubhouse has a main meeting room and kitchen which is equipped with a kettle and microwave.

Noticeboard: Events and matters of interest are posted on the noticeboard on a regular basis.

Access to the Clubhouse: A key can be obtained from the treasurer for a small fee. Keys are controlled and should be kept secure and returned in the event of membership being discontinued.

Whilst the Club does not have a formal non-smoking policy, it is requested that those members who do smoke take the wishes others into consideration at Social events and meetings in the Clubhouse.

In recent months the club has been given a much-needed makeover, and a changing room made from the old storage room.

Improvements are ongoing, and now include a new galley bar.

The club room is available for a modest hire fee for functions and barbecues. Its aspect, overlooking the harbour, is one of the best in the village.

LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB

Flying Fifteens, Picos, cruisers, skiffs -

Flying Fifteens, Picos, cruisers, skiffs - we welcome all those who enjoy messing about on the water. LBSC is a friendly club that welcomes new members.

Loch Broom Sailing Club is open to all with an interest in the sea and sailing. You don't have to own your own boat or even have much experience.

The Club owns some Flying Fifteens, 22ft keelboats which are ideal for racing and regatta events. Newcomers to sailing can get a good taste of the pastime by crewing a Flying Fifteen, without much danger of getting too wet (or traumatised!).

Private FF owners number around 10, making a potential fleet turnout of a dozen boats. There are a range of larger cruising sailboats which undertake trips to the Summer Isles, the Western & Northern Isles and further afield.

There are a growing number of children in the club who enjoy sailing accompanied in the Flying Fifteens and on the larger boats but also have fun on their own in the in the Picos, an ideal craft for small beginners.

The Feva is a high performance dinghy for those who have graduated from Picos and can also be sailed by adults.

Use of the Club House

Keys are available to purchase at cost. The Club House has a small lounge area, small store, toilet and small kitchen. There are no showers.

Club Discount

Members of the Club are eligible for 10% discount at Caley Marine Chandlery Inverness. Bulk purchasing of items from other suppliers, such as wetsuits has been organised and members can enjoy discount of up to 30% on this type of order.

Grants

The Club endeavours to obtain grant aid for group training and has been successful in obtaining a 50% grant for children's' training in 2003 and 2004.

Training

The Club is not an RYA accredited training centre, but has organised various training courses using visiting instructors and endeavours to give junior members every encouragement to learn to sail.

Ullapool UHI can organise RYA shore based courses such as: RYA Day Skipper, Yachtmaster, Competent crew, RYA powerboat level II, First Aid, Liferaft and lifejacket use and safe use of flares.

We have close links with local clubs which can offer formal training for those working up their RYA qualifications.

Use of Club Equipment

Members of the Club are eligible to use Club owned assets (including the Picos, Feva and the Flying Fifteens). Use of all Club equipment should comply with club safety requirements.

Flying Fifteens

The Club has two Flying Fifteen classic racing dinghies afloat during the summer, moored just off the Wee Pier. Each boat is available for use by club members. Racing takes place most weekends, and on Friday evenings weather permitting, and Saturdays, 3pm.

Picos and Feva

The Club owns three Pico dinghies and a Feva. These are launched each summer weekend, with safety boat cover, for the use of adults and children in the Club, weather permitting. Although the club is not a recognised RYA sailing centre informal instruction is given. Parents of children using the boats are expected to help out with launching, recovering, shore support and safety boat cover on a rota basis.

Every season a week, Pico Week, usually the first or second week in July, is set aside for more formal junior training.

General Information

www.ullapool.com

Navigational Points Click here for a map of the village

See the Ullapool Harbour web site here

Moorings

There are eight moorings at around £15 per night payable to the Harbour Assistants any time day or night. To get in touch the boats should either use the VHF channel14 or 16 or telephone 01854 612091 (24hrs). The harbour is trying to keep the outer steps clear so yachts can come alongside for water and stores etc.

If visitors wish to come to the pier they should use the same contact arrangements.

CONTACTS

Where are we? Follow this link for a map. The Wee Pier and Clubhouse are at the junction of Mill Street, Garve Road and Shore Street.

Loch Broom Sailing Club, The Clubhouse, Garve Road, Ullapool, Ross-shire

Harbourmaster

Mr Kevin Peach - 01854 612091

Banks

Royal Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street, 01854 612112

Bank of Scotland, West Argyle Street, 01854 612693

Doctor

Ullapool Medical Practice 01854 612015 (night and day)

Swimming Pool

Lovely indoor 25m pool Quay Street 01854 612884

Public Toilets

At the rear of the ferry car park on West Argyll Street

Fuel

Marine diesel is available at Ullapool Pier. Contact Harbour Office for details 01854 612091.

There is a petrol station on the Garve Road just by the Wee Pier

Groceries

Tesco Latheron Lane, Ullapool. Open 0800 - 2100 Mon - Sat and 0900 - 1800 Sunday