Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

On Saturday we had no volunteers to run the second rib.  We could not lower the engine on the one rib we had launched and the breeze was up.  Once again in the absence of volunteers a huge thank you to Peter, Rupert, Struan, Kerryn for not racing and jumping straight onto safety boats to ensure your safety during racing, Toby for launching 2 more ribs at short notice  and Paul Farrall for manning SS2 before the start during a pre race rescue of the RS which involved helm and crew separated form the boat and Chris Boshier who was helming SS2 sailing it in.  When thing go wrong, they go wrong quickly.  Without the swift and selfless actions of such active members of TBYC we would struggle to safely run our current busy racing programme.

Keep an eye on Paul Morgan’s Weekly sailing posts, if it says VOLUNTEER PLEASE, we need your help to keep others safe.  If you are around, inexperienced or not racing, keep some kit in the car and step up, your help is always welcome.

Thank you in anticipation.

Jeremy Sandford

Rear Commodore Racing

Would everyone intending to attend please wear some colour and note that you will be warmly welcomed at Peter’s house following the service.

It is with great sadness that, following a short illness, on Saturday 11^th July, Norman Absolom passed away whilst on holiday in Spain at the age of 77.

Norman’s first love was sailing and he became a member of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club in 1969 when he purchased his first Mirror dinghy and joined the fast growing Mirror fleet. Racing was always very close against the Johnson’s, Bristow’s, Paul Weeden, Nigel Campling, Ronnie Barnes to name but a few. In the mid 70’s, Norman also owned a couple of cruisers that were used for weekend’s away, family holidays and of course local club racing. In September 1980 he took delivery of his new pride and joy, a Mirage 28 he named Magnificent Obsession. She was cruised and raced regularly around the East Coast and the Continent for 34 years until last September when she, along with 13 other yachts, was hit by a commercial dredger in thick fog whilst moored at Medway Yacht Club and was written off.

Racing success over the years included club and open meeting victories, class wins in the Nore Race and numerous local trophy races. His favourite race of all time was the Thorpe Goodwin Race which he won twice overall. He particularly enjoyed the competition against Phil Crawford, Frank Coppins and Bob Walker.

Norman was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:20 hrs on Thursday 13^th August at the Southend Crematorium.

We are looking for a volunteers to launch and recover the RIBs, SS5 and SS7 this weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July.  Launch and recovery is counted as two separate duties but if you can do both all the better.

It is with great regret that we have to inform members of the death of Peter Blomfield.  He was a long standing member of TBYC, sailing his Sandhopper, ‘Talitrus’, for 31 years.  Peter was a founder member of the Sandhopper Association undertaking the roles of Class Captain, Treasurer and class measurer for many years.

An enthusiastic supporter of the club and sailing in general, his sail achievements were numerous including a passage across the Channel with John Evans in ‘Talitrus’ in 2005.

Peter’s funeral will be on Friday 31st July, at 12.40 pm, at Southend Crematorium.  Family flowers only.  Donations would be most welcome on the day, or c/o Guivers of Southchurch Road or direct to Havens Hospices whose care of Peter was wonderful.

The use of Ribs to supplement our displacement Safety craft SS2 and 3 has become a common sight at TBYC.  Our Ribs provide excellent speed of response in an emergency situation, allowing the easy laying of the Start buoy and use of Special marks as well as taking the Race officer and displacement crews to their boats.  In order for us to enjoy use the Ribs they need Launching prior to the race and recovering after every one is ashore.

The task of launching and recovering the Ribs has now been added to Dutyman for the rest of July and August to keep track of who volunteer to do this essential job.  At the end of this time the Sailing Committee will review the situation going forward.

Treating launching and recovery as two separate duties we have 44 duties to cover over the next two months.  Rob Baily has kindly volunteered to cover this Saturday Launch and Recovery, with Toby Speller taking 18 of the duties straight away.  The remaining launch and recovery duties need covering if we are to see Ribs supporting our Weekend Racing.  If you can help, please volunteer through Dutyman, or email Janet, Graham and I to get your offer of cover added on to Dutyman.

Thank you all for your help and support in enabling the use of Ribs to continue at TBYC.  Without your help it won’t happen.

Jeremy Sandford

(Rear Commodore Racing)

The final pieces of the history archive for the metal found on the beach have come from Brian Sandford.

It demonstrates how sand can cover the beach one month and be cleared another to show parts of a 28 year old boat. What other artefacts does it hold ?

I thought I had seen the obstruction the boys removed yesterday. it is on a picture I have  from the Hurricane in 1987

Click on the picture to see in a larger format.

This object has now been found and removed, thanks for those involved.

Will anybody entering the water or sailing from our beach be aware that currently there is a large metal obstructions in the sand approximately 10 feet away from the West end Breakwater. This maybe visible during early tide but is covered during higher water.

Southend Council have been advised as people have tried to move by hand. Please therefore assume that it is still present until I can advise you otherwise.

TBYC Commodore Bar SAT MAY 9TH 2015

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.  Gill