NEWSLETTERS

          MMA Summer 2008

          MMA March 2008

         MCC Annual 2008

NEWSLETTER   SUMMER 2008

 

Annual General Meeting

 

The 35^th AGM was held on 22^nd April at the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, with 21 members attending.   Members were updated on changes in arrangements for the management of the Folly pontoon and an associated change in the ownership of the Folly launch service, which has resulted in an extended service.  The other matter of note reported is that the harbour office and compound has reverted to the control of the Association (see below) with Ken Aspden agreeing to look after scrubbing berth bookings and the compound, in addition to his oar house responsibilities.  He can be contacted on 07836 744468. The Committee also plans to carry out a review of the Association’s objectives and charitable status this year.  The membership of the Committee remains unchanged, apart from Peter Brugier standing down part way through the year.

 

Access to Harbour Compound

 

The Committee is well aware that some members are very unhappy about the gate into the harbour compound being kept locked.  Unfortunately, before this was implemented, the level of unauthorised use of the compound for launching of boats in particular and as a general thoroughfare was reaching unacceptable levels.  The position is that the only personnel that should go in this area are those having authorised access to the harbour office, MMA members who store tenders in the dinghy rack, and MMA members who are working on their boats ashore in the compound.  It is not a right of way and for H&S and insurance reasons we should restrict access to the area.  For your information we are, however, discussing with the Folly Inn owners the possibility of putting in a pathway to the Folly pontoon on the southern side of the harbour office and compound. 

 

Dinghy Racing

 

The Wednesday evening dinghy racing commences on 11^th June and, as ever, new participants are very welcome.  Please contact Dan Lyons on 295301 or 384 Newport Road, Cowes, PO31 8PP.  Hopefully the weather will be kinder this year.

 

Medina Combined Clubs

 

A pub games evening held at the Cowes Corinthian on Good Friday evening was a great success with teams from the three member clubs enjoying some not too serious competition that ended in a three-way tie (not too contrived).  A boat jumble followed this on 20^th April, which again was well supported with all ten stallholders achieving a satisfactory return.  And on 4^th June, the Commodores of the two sailing clubs plus our Chairman Ray Redrup met with the Chairman of Cowes Harbour Commission and the Harbour Master to discuss various matters believed to be of interest to all members, including the increase in berthing charges as a result of the Outer Breakwater Project.

Cruising Programme

 

After a longish spell of reasonably settled weather, things went almost completely pear-shaped just in time for the planned cruise to Marchwood Yacht Club on Saturday 24^th May, with winds gusting over 40 knots and heavy overnight rain trying to put a dampener on proceedings.  Eleven boats initially registered although one withdrew beforehand for the novel reason that a pair of ducks had nested and laid eggs on board.  Seven more boats pulled out because of the conditions on the day, leaving a total of just three of the bigger boats and eight hardy souls to make it for a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the ever-welcoming club.  The conditions on Sunday turned out totally against the consensus forecasts (MetCheck being the exception) so allowing a pleasant return trip in calm and sunny conditions.  The next planned Association cruise is to Hornet Sailing Club on 19^th July although of course members are very welcome to attend the Cowes Corinthian YC and East Cowes SC events (details on the web site and in the March 2008 newsletter).

 

Flooding of the Dinghy Park

 

Big spring tides, low pressure and strong winds combined on 3rd March to cause high water levels to almost completely engulf the dinghy park, causing damage to some boats and to leave the park covered in debris.  An emergency working party of Committee members was quickly formed to sort out the mess so we hope everyone appreciates the efforts of those “not so youthful” helpers that restored the park to something resembling normality!

 

Purchase of Safety Boat

 

The Association has recently acquired one of Folly Reach Harbour Management’s former water taxis, an open dory with outboard, primarily for use as a safety boat for Wednesday evening dinghy racing.  Any bright suggestions for an appropriate name for the boat will be welcome.

 

Review of Association’s Objectives

 

Mention was made of this in the report on the AGM above.  The Association is a registered charity, its charitable objectives being to:

 

·         promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the public generally, and especially inhabitants of the Isle of Wight, the navigable part of the River Medina and its valley, and generally to protect and preserve the amenities in the area.

 

• promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight by providing facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation.

 

Being a charity does restrict the way the Association can spend its funds, as they must be used specifically in support of the charitable objectives.  Would the Association be better off de-registering and becoming a private members’ club?  Should it act more like a berth holders’ association?  Or should we seek to widen or tighten up our charitable objectives?  If anyone has any views, please contact Terry Webb (email terrywebb@onwight.net or phone 209488).

 

Web Site

 

We hope to get the MMA web site re-organised and improved in the not too distant future so please keep an eye out for the changes on www.medinamariners.org.

 

 

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NEWSLETTER   MARCH 2008

 

 

AGM	The Notice of Meeting is enclosed for this year’s annual meeting, to be held on Tuesday 22nd April at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club.  The agenda, minutes of last year’s meeting and the Annual Report for 2007, which includes the financial statements, will be tabled at the meeting.  If anyone would like a copy of these because they cannot attend, or if anyone is interested in standing for the Committee, please let Terry Webb know (phone:  209488, email:  terrywebb@onwight.net)
Reciprocal Arrangement with CCYC and ECSC	In our last Newsletter the link up with East Cowes Sailing Club in addition to the Cowes Corinthian was reported.  Things have now moved on and as well as supporting each other’s sailing fixtures, a joint cruising programme has been arranged, plus a Pub Games evening and a Boat Jumble.  You should find enclosed with this newsletter another newsletter issued on behalf of all three Clubs, the grouping being named the Medina Combined Clubs (MCC).  Please make a diary note of the dates of all the events mentioned and try and support at least some if you can.  In particular, we would welcome any volunteers who think they might be a bit handy at pub games, for the Good Friday evening event.  Please contact Terry Webb if you are interested.  Similarly, it is hoped the boat jumble on 20th April will be well supported, and also the Sail the Wight fund raising event on 14th June.  Unfortunately, this clashes with the Marchwood YC barbeque and also the IOW Pop Festival.  Oh well, its nice to be spoilt for choice!
Some Specific Dates for Your Diary	Pub Games Evening – Friday 21st March at CCYC Boat Jumble – Sunday 20th April at CCYC AGM – Tuesday 22nd April at 7.30 pm, at CCYC MMA Cruise to Marchwood YC – Weekend of 24th/25th May Marchwood YC Barbeque – Saturday 14th June at the Folly Sail the Wight – Saturday 14th June, with evening at ECSC MMA Cruise to Hornet SC – Weekend of 19th/20th July Annual Dinner – Saturday 22nd November at CCYC

 

 

Dinghy Racing	Although it is referred to in the MCC Newsletter, special mention is made here of the dinghy racing, which starts again on Wednesday 11th June.  We had a frustrating season last year because of the dodgy weather so we are hoping for better this year. As usual, a plea is made for more dinghy sailors who could turn out and increase the competition, although we are hopeful of some entrants from the other two clubs to spice things up a bit.  Anyone interested, please contact Dan Lyons with all details at 384 Newport Road, Cowes, PO31 8PP, or on 295301.
Folly Pontoon	Some members may have heard news surrounding the future management of the Folly pontoon, which has deteriorated quite badly in recent years.  Greene King, the owners of the Folly Inn wish to transfer responsibility for the management of the pontoon to a third party and negotiations are taking place with interested parties.  It is also understood that Folly Reach Harbour Management is scaling back its operation at the Folly, and Newport Harbour is considering the future of its visitor pontoon, so all in all several matters are up in the air at present.  The Committee’s main concern is that local berth holders’ interests are protected, both through retention of an effective water taxi service and the continued availability of relatively low cost moorings, so we are monitoring discussions closely.
Development at Island Harbour	Members may also be aware of the extensive development being undertaken at Island Harbour and the recent application made for outline approval for the demolition of buildings and the erection of new buildings to form a large complex of hotel, residential and industrial accommodation.  The Committee has discussed this matter and has written to IOW Council indicating its concern about potential visual impact on this attractive part of the estuary and also its hope that there is no reduction in boat storage space or associated marine services.
Marchwood YC Barbeque	As previously indicated, this regular event is being held on Saturday 14th June.  Last year’s was washed out due to atrocious weather so we hope for better this year.  As usual, MYC open this event to MMA members on a “bring your own food and drink” basis and if anyone is available to help set things up on the day and clear up the following morning it would be very much appreciated, as this work usually falls on the same limited band of helpers.  Please let Terry Webb know if you can help out.
The New Season	The Committee would like to wish you a successful and enjoyable season.  Please don’t sink or hit anything!