Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

I hope you are all keeping safe and well. I would like you all to be reassured that your committee are doing everything in its power to explore and plan how we get our fantastic club back to Sailing, Racing and Club activities. We fully expect this to be a staged approach however we are planning for all eventualities.

We as a general committee continue to meet weekly (via Webex) and have scheduled our next meeting on Monday evening following the PM’s advice due on Sunday.

We have already had several in depth meetings in addition to GC weekly meeting, to discuss how we may conduct activities safely and within potential guide lines to get as prepared as we can. We have further discussed, and are currently coming up with ways we can open the club. However this as you can imagine may be more difficult if social distancing continues, but not impossible with the right forethought.

Following the PM’s revised guidelines on Sunday GC will meet Monday evening at 19.30 as scheduled to discuss how it effects our club and how we proceed. At this point I will contact all members via all mediums as before Club Website, Club Facebook page, emails and letters to those less techie members.

Again personally as your Commodore may I thank you all for your support and kind words.

The one positive for me out of these unprecedented time, is what wonderful members we have and how lucky I am to represent our Club.

I would also like to add, whilst we cannot celebrate VE Day at our club we would still like to see pictures of your celebrations.  So please send or post your pictures and we will put them in to a montage picture and post on all mediums

Stay Safe and Well

Steve Hopper

Commodore

The Crouch Harbour Authority have issued the following joint statement with the Essex Police Marine Police. It covers Do’s and Don’t during Lockdown as a reminder, so worth a read.

https://crouchharbour.uk/wp-content/uploads/Joint-Statement-from-the-CHA-and-Marine-Police.pdf

Dear Member(s)

I hope you are all well and staying safe.

It will be no surprise to you that following the latest Government advice the club will sadly remain closed for at least another three weeks.  As this is far from ideal, the general committee continues to meet weekly to work out how to engage our members.

With this in mind, I’m sure you have noticed an increase in notices, games, virtual reports and offers of help to those in need, along with other ideas we have implemented.  We also continue business as usual from an administration point of view.  The club office is open from Tuesday to Friday.

There are several ideas which will be put into action during the next week, including Howard Warrington’s Virtual Regatta Racing, information videos and a training guide for cadets.  An online quiz is also planned, so keep checking Facebook and the club website for what’s going on.

Many members have excelled and continue to do so, producing witty reports, and Jeremy Sandford, has been manufacturing protective visors for care workers using a 3D printer.   All of this makes my job, in these difficult times, almost a joy.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every one of you for supporting our fantastic club.  I wrote to you just recently and out of 1,100 members nearly all have not only paid to support our club but have sent messages of encouragement to both the general committee and me, personally.

So, in the meantime, stay safe and well.  I look forward to celebrating with you all, both on and off the water soon.

Your sincerely
Steve Hopper, Commodore

Hi All, I hope you are keeping safe and well.  Here at the club it has been a peculiar time.

Whilst we are on suspension of business as usual I am reminded daily of what a fantastic club we have, full of selfless, like-minded people.  I receive so many words of encouragement and support.

We have had many offers from members, willing to help other members.  If you are not going out but need essential supplies or medication, they are there for you.

Contact the club by email to [email protected] or by phone 01702 587563.  If the phone doesn’t answer, call 07969 598309.  A volunteer will be happy to assist.

We will, of course, keep in touch and update you all regularly.
Regards
Steve Hopper

The General Committee have appointed Peter Thompson to carry out weekly checks on the Dinghy Park and report. Also to check on windy days to ensure no harm comes to your boats and tie down if required.

Steve Hopper Commodore

It is with great sadness and regret that we inform the club of the death of my Father, Peter Hancock on Monday 23rd March at Southend General Hospital.

Dad was very active in the cruiser section of the club in the 1990s, (sailing with Mike Root on ‘Ruspina’), and served as Vice Commodore during his membership. He always enjoyed his time at the club on and off the water and I’m sure he will be remembered by many members. Peter was also active at Thorpe Hall Golf club, Thorpe Bay Bowls club, and Rochford Rotary.

Peter had been residing in Joseph House Nursing Home, Shoeburyness, since December 2019, following a series of health issues.

Unfortunately, due to the current corona virus situation the funeral will be restricted to immediate family only.  However the family intend to hold a memorial service for Peter at a later date.

Peter will be greatly missed by family and friends, leaving behind wife Maureen, daughter Sarah, son Lee and four grandchildren.
Kind Regards to all
Sarah Speller (Nee Hancock)

As a result of government, RYA and PLA advice the dinghy park is closed and water activities are suspended until further notice.

Unfortunately, this means that no work can be carried out on boats nor can they leave or be brought to the club.

Cruiser and Sandhopper lift-in will take place as soon as is allowed.  It will be one of our priorities.  We are all keen to get back on the water.

The committee is reviewing the situation constantly and currently having to react to new advice and guidance.

In the weeks to come the club will rely, a good deal, on the goodwill and support of its members.

If anyone needs help – shopping, chatting, transport – please get in touch.

In the meantime, stay safe and well.

Happy Sailing soon, we hope.

Port of London – River Thames NOTICE TO MARINERS No.6 of 2020  – 24 March 2020

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS RECREATION AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

We are issuing this in line with current Government Coronavirus guidance, placing restrictions on movement.

To reduce social contact, travel and potential strain on emergency services, we strongly recommend that all recreation and leisure activities on the tidal Thames are avoided until further notice.

Our priority at the PLA is to help ensure the UK continues to receive essential supplies of food, fuel and medical goods at this time.

As a result, we expect to have a reduced capability in responding to recreational incidents on the river.

To support our essential port operations, we are reducing the operating hours of our harbour service patrols between Putney and Teddington.

We are grateful for your co-operation in these exceptional circumstances.

Port of London Authority
London River House, Royal Pier Road,
Gravesend, Kent DA12 2BG

Bob Baker
Chief Harbour Master

Sadly suspended at the moment but feel it important for us as a club to show our support to all those brave people of the NHS saving lives

All keep safe and well and observe official advise

Thanks all for your understanding and support

Steve Hopper Commodore

Following tonight’s message from our Prime Minister. The General Committee have now decided that the time has come to sadly, close the dinghy park.  We are sure you will all understand the reasoning behind this. Other than going to work, shopping, walk or a run, we are to remain at home.

We ask all members to respect this decision and not enter the dinghy park or attempt to go for a sail. The reflection back on the club that we all love would not be favourable. This includes boat maintenance.

We will of course, review the situation constantly and look forward to being back on the water when the situation allows.

Thank you for your co-operation and please stay safe and well.  Keep watching the website and Facebook for updates and info.