Christmas 2015 Newsletter

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Calvin Curtis
5 years ago
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Sunday 6th Scale & Sail Sunday 13th Fiesta Round 2 Sunday 20th IOM Round 2 A message from our Chairman John Cox A better year than 2014, after the floods and other problems.

We are grateful to the groundsman for keeping the pond level topped up.

1 Christmas 2015 Newsletter What s On.. January: There will be no meeting or other events in January. February: Thursday 4th Club Meeting at Jordan Hill th Sunday 7 Scale & Sail Sunday 14th Fiesta Round 1 Sunday 21st IOM Round 1 March: Thursday 3rd Club Meeting at Jordan Hill Sunday 6th Scale & Sail Sunday 13th Fiesta Round 2 Sunday 20th IOM Round 2 A message from our Chairman John Cox A better year than 2014, after the floods and other problems. This year we were plagued either by too much wind or too little but Stuart still managed to find six sets of results from both fleets to score the competition. We are grateful to the groundsman for keeping the pond level topped up. The number of boats at scale mornings has picked up with interesting models of amphibians & submarines adding to the excitement. Charlie's excellent 'Night Sailing' session was well attended. The George Wren evening went well, with roughly equal numbers of finished models & 'projects' being displayed. Best wishes for Christmas and the coming year. John Competition Results: Page 1 of 8

2 Competition Results: This is the first year for the new class of 'Best Work in Progress'. As you can see there was a good entry & an interesting selection of vessel types from my Stalwart (hardly a vessel at all!) to John Shinton's beautifully made trawler. It has been suggested that in future we separate the entries into scratch built & kit built classes, restorations could be included in the kit built class. We would welcome any opinions or suggestions about this. It would mean having more trophies but but might make it more interesting. Pictured right is the new 'Work in Progress' trophy made from bits & pieces donated by members past & present. The main thing is, just keep building... Page 2 of 8

2015 Watermead Open Day: Here are a few pictures taken at the Watermead open day

In the drab days over the mid winter period, I thought they might help raise the

The Harbour was a good idea, allowing those of us who would, the chance to practice

A little further down the road than Hinksey lakes, but worth the journey.

3 2015 Watermead Open Day: Here are a few pictures taken at the Watermead open day earlier this year. In the drab days over the mid winter period, I thought they might help raise the spirit, and encourage us to keep at that new project ready for next year. The Harbour was a good idea, allowing those of us who would, the chance to practice our docking skills. A little further down the road than Hinksey lakes, but worth the journey. Our OMBC stand looked very presentable with an interesting selection of models, there's Doug's 'work in progress; Alan's amphibian and Paul's (ex Stuart Wilkins) SUZIE Q; a 1965 Vic Smeed design. Let's hope we can do as well in Dave Page 3 of 8

4 Oxford Model Boat Club. AGM Apologies Apologies were received from Peter Shanks, Eric Hoare, Terry Gregory and Peter Pulford. Members present. There were 20 members present. Chairman's address. The club had had a fairly successful year but varying weather had interrupted some of the sailing events, but careful rescheduling by Stuart and Mike had ensured that a satisfactory result was achieved. A couple of new skippers had entered the 1 metre lists and although the entries still make for a small fleet the overall effect produces some close racing. On the scale side, the monthly Sunday 'Scale Day' produces a varied entry fleet but all too often adverse weather depletes the turnout. Several new models have appeared over the year adding variety to the regular ones that are the mainstay of the fleet. In the past the Wychwood Forest Fair and Watermead open day have offered variation to the club activities, but unfortunately the two events clashed in this year, the result being that Watermead was the event the club supported. It is hoped that this clash is not repeated in The 'Night Sail' was more successful than might be anticipated. There was some trepidation regarding safety. In the event this was quite unfounded and once the report reached the ears of Watermead, they have introduced their own event. The Chairman would like to vacate the position this year but if no candidates are forthcoming for the position he will carry on for 2016 BUT a new candidate (s) must come forward at the next AGM. Secretaries' report. Sailing Calendars I have prepared the club calendars from information supplied by Mike Robinson who has kindly planed the club events for Terry Gregory's wife, Nina has kindly printed them for us & they are very nicely done, so many thanks. Pond: Algae: Last Autumn (2014) the Sculling School applied half a ton of microchalk We followed up with two doses of Swarm in April & June this year & we did not have too much problem with algae this year. The Sculling School applied another half a ton of microchalk last week. As this has been done we are really obliged to apply two doses of 'SWARM' next year at a total cost of To do this we need to take a vote on it as this sum is above what the committee can approve. A vote was taken & carried unanimously. Level: The OCC have been keeping the pond topped up this year, in fact I have never seen it so good. Long may it continue. Page 4 of 8

5 South Oxford Community Association: We were members of the association until end of February Since then we have not paid our subscriptions, this is partly due to us not having a system in place for regular payments & the association having a computer failure around that time, loosing their members addresses so did not remind us. WE need to renew our membership of the association to retain the of use of the storeroom and the Centres other facilities. Payment for the membership has lapsed over the past three years so a ad hoc payment of 45 plus this year's fee will be made, thus ensuring continued use of the facility which we cannot do without. We will rejoin now; making a total payment of covering the 3 years missing payments and membership from March 2016 to Feb Newsletter: Thanks to all who contributed to the newsletter during the year. Particularly Dave Smith for his scale notes & pictures/ I hope we can find someone to take this role on now that Dave is retiring. Whilst I would like to retire as secretary I am prepared to continue with the newsletter providing there are sufficient contributions to make it worth while. Web Site: I'd like to propose a vote of thanks to Greg King for continuing to maintain the club's website. This a task that we otherwise find it difficult to perform. A vote was taken & carried unanimously. Parking Permits: I will help new members apply for permits, but members will have to be responsible for their own renewals, changes of registration numbers, etc. Sailing Secretary's Report: It has at times been a frustrating year with weather conditions being testing to say the least. The first one metre event was cancelled due to lack of wind and the fifth round was cancelled due to weed; rounds five and six suffered from very light airs and by contrast round eight was held in gale force conditions. We welcomed Keith Barney into the fleet and next year Robert Craddock will be joining in so potentially there could be seven yachts on the water. This year was dominated by No. 50 with Iain, Dick and Nick jostling for runner-up places. The Fiesta series comprised of ten scheduled rounds but lack of wind affected rounds seven, eight and nine. The turnout was excellent throughout with potentially twelve skippers now able to take part. The final round had to be abandoned as there was no wind at all. Top place was shared between Mike and Iain, the final outcome being taken right to the last round and then only discards could separate them. Finally, I would like to propose a vote of thanks to Stewart who has officiated at every event and kept the records. I would like to ask him to present the trophies to the winning skippers. A vote was taken & carried unanimously. Scale Secretary's report. Scale Sundays do vary in support and it is up to members to make the effort to support events if the club is to progress. Page 5 of 8

6 What is very encouraging is the fact that during the Scale Secretary's period in office, more new and varied models have made an appearance. This can only be good for the clubs future. It is obvious that standards are rising which is encouraging all round. The scale secretary made a point of thanking Doug Green for the manufacture and storage of the trestle tables used at club events. This input enhances our presence and makes things so much easier when we display. The new trophy for 'Work in Progress' has added further interest to this event and it is hoped this might encourage further projects! Although the Scale Secretary is standing down after 6 years on the position he hopes to continue with contribution with articles and pictures to the news letter. Awards and Trophies: The year's event winners were then announced and awards made. The full results can be found in the Christmas newsletter. Election of officers: Chairman & Secretary: Whilst the Chairman & Secretary wanted to relinquish their posts; there were no members prepared to take on these roles. These officers therefore reluctantly agreed to continue for one more year ONLY & were duly re-elected. Members should consider the future of the club if willing new incumbents for these positions can't be found by the end of Scale Secretary: The Scale Secretary indicated he was not prepared to continue in his role; after much discussion new member Tony Hughes then volunteered for this position on the understanding that the current Scale Secretary would point him in the right direction. The current holder agreed to this and Tony was unanimously elected. There being No Other Business: The meeting closed at 2100hrs. IMPORTANT Public Relations: It has been brought to our attention that a member or members have had occasional confrontations with members of the public about parking in the park by the South Oxford Community Association building & yard; or in the vicinity of the Lake Street entrance. Parking in this area is on a first come basis. If on a Sunday morning there is no room to park; you must take your car to the public car park off the Abingdon Road. Please do not complain to any person already parked at the Lake Street end of the park. It is not our place to tell other people where to park. Complaints about these interactions can be brought directly to us as we can be recognised by our club fleeces or the models we are carrying. In a recent incident a member was alleged to have banged on the window of a car just parked by the side of the SOCA building, by the doctors surgery, & told the person parking that they could not park there. Please don't do this. Please take great care when operating fast models, boats leaping out of the pond into the path of visitors to the park is not acceptable. Until you are very familiar with the model keep it close to you. The speed and distance of a model going away from you is very hard to judge. Page 6 of 8

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8 Photos from the AGM with thanks to Charlie Newman: George Wren Trophy to Nick Panter One metre Rose Bowl to Dick Skinner Best 'Work in Progress to John Shinton One metre Stuart Wilkins Cup to Mike Robinson Fiesta Anchor Trophy to Mike Robinson Election of Officers! The orange box that appears in 4 of these photos contained home made mince pies brought by Doug Green; many thanks Doug. The Fiesta Bowl & Best Sailing Vessel trophies will be handed to the winners by the secretary. Page 8 of 8

September 2013 Newsletter

September 2013 Newsletter What s On.. September: Sunday 1 st Wychwood Forest Fair Thursday 5 th Meeting at Jordon Hill Sunday 8 th Watermead Regatta Sunday 15 th One metre Round 6 Sunday 22 nd Inter-Club at Watermead Sunday 29