CARSINGTON SAILABILITY NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

Published 11:53 on 30 Nov 2022

Its been a strange couple of months since the last Newsletter, the water level dropped to the lowest for twenty odd years and we effectively stopped sailing at the end of August/beginning of September as we were unable to launch. This meant that we had to cancelthe visit from BLESMA (the Armed Forces Limbless Veterans charity) which was a great disappointment to them, we must do our best to have them visit early next season. Also,the galley is being refurbished which has limited the food available. However, neither of these issues has stopped members visiting, particularly on Wednesday, for a coffee and achat and help with boat maintenance, etc. The good news is that Severn Trent have started the pumps and the reservoir is slowly filling up plus the galley refurbishment is
nearly complete.

By far and away the recent highlight has been Annies sponsored bungee jump to raise funds for the Sailability Trust. This involved jumping from a platform on a crane 160 feetabove Salford Quays. Annie raised over £1200 - fantastic ! ( were looking for volunteers to jump next year ).

Annie joined us as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, assisting with sailing and generally helping. It has been great having Annie with us.

Im not going to cover funding as the Trust will be sending out an update shortly.

In terms of boat maintenance, all the 303s have had the furling gear sorted out, new elastic tensioners fitted as necessary so they should be fully functional for next season. The boats and covers, including the Venture Keel, were previously jet washed and cleaned. Mike, with assistance from John, Tony, Brian et al, has carried out a very thorough investigation to check the Sierra hull for leak sights but none have been foundother than the small, short, crack in the stern below where the wooden transom fits. Thisis to be professionally welded up and to cope with any further ingress of water in the future, the fitting of an automatic electric bilge pump is being considered.

David and Sallie ran another RYA Disability Awareness training course in November which was very successful particularly with the input from Ruth and Nicki plus two members of Sallies psychology university course who joined us.

Mike and John are looking into general training for members and volunteers includingclassroom learning while we cannot sail. Lizzie has put together a self assessmenttemplate for individuals to complete indicating their level of confidence in various practicalactivities and what further instruction they would like. Not all members/ volunteers would necessarily like to cover all the topics listed. I have attached a blank template plus onethat Lizzie has completed as an example. If you are interested in further training, pleasecomplete the template and return it to me and I will pass it on to Mike and John.

On the social side, a number of members attended the club Bonfire Night which Iunderstand was very enjoyable with good food. Also, on 14th December, we have our Sailability Christmas Lunch, the first one for a couple of years due to COVID. Thegalley are providing the catering and we have 47 attendees, a really great response.Unfortunately I cannot attend but Heather has kindly volunteered to collect the money on the day. Please bring the £14 along in cash.

So finally, Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year and heres hoping for plenty ofwater in the reservoir next year !

Phil