January 2007 newsletter p2

For details of the 2007 Events Programme, see the Events page in the menu bar.
There will be further details for small Gaffers attending the Beaulieu River Rally on the OGA website. However, Max Taylor advises that the intention on the Saturday is to sail up to Beaulieu village for a picnic lunch and to race back to Buckler's Hard. Big boat tenders will also be welcome to join the picnic.
Chris Waddington has asked me to draw attention to Yarmouth Carnival Week which is an excellent holiday for families with children. There is all sorts of fun during the week, including mucking about in boats in the harbour, sports on the green, a crabbing competition, fancy dress, and so on. This year there will be Gaffer racing on the final weekend, run by the Royal Solent Yacht Club, for which a trophy is being put up.

Details of the Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival will be sent out in the April Newsletter, but if you are intending to come, please return the enclosed slip to Jessica so that we can give the organisers a feel for the number likely to attend. Note, however, that you will still need to enter formally in due course.
Having been pioneered by John Walden as an early season event, when the weather has not been all it might have been, the Poole Rally has now moved to the height of the summer, under the stewardship of Mark Woodhouse and Dan Shaw, now that John keeps Sparky on the Hamble. Mark and Dan are working on an exciting programme with plans for a barbecue on the Friday evening, a race in the harbour on the Saturday, followed by supper in the Royal Motor YC ­ details to follow in the April newsletter.

Although not an OGA event, Trailer Sailer members, and those with smaller boats will be interested in the Ashlett Creek Festival of Sail, 13-15th July, for boats up to 22ft in length. The Creek is a fascinating little oasis on Southampton Water tucked in between Fawley power station and the oil refinery and is always worth a visit. I gather details will be posted on the Ashlet Sailing Club website, www.ashletsc.com, or Tel: 023 8089 9437.

Jessica would like to be able to communicate with more members by email, so please let her have your address if you are not already on our list.

Finally, this is my last newsletter as Jessica takes up the reins after the AGM. I should just like to say that it has been great fun serving the Solent Gaffers. Maggie and I have thoroughly enjoyed the company and camaraderie and hope to continue doing so in future. I wish Jessica every success and hopes she enjoys the job as much as I have done.
Geoff Skinner, Retiring Solent Area Secretary