Minutes - PSC AGM 2019

PORTHMADOG SAILING CLUB

Minutes of the 63rd Annual General Meeting held in the Clubhouse on

Monday, 26th August 2019 at 1200 hrs

1. 37 Voting Members were present.

2. Apologies for absence

Christine Dawber, John and Lindy C-T, Pete Turner, Mark and Steph Sumner, Mary Jane, Dodds Caroline Jameson Elizabeth Reynolds Peter and Elizabeth , Caroline Bithell, John Perkins Eddie Hawksworth, Hanslip, assorted Northovers, Lorna Cook, Jonathan Cook, William Waldron James Parker, Jackie Rowe

3. Minutes of the previous AGM held on 27 August 2018 were read and acceptance proposed by Michael Bithell and Seconded by Nicky Cook and were approved nem con with three abstentions.

4. Officers’ Reports

4.1. Rear-Commodore Dinghies

First the bad stuff: I would seem to have presided over the near demise of dinghy racing at our Club. Only six races sailed, four of which were over this weekend, and then with only five entries. This was disappointing but there are some factors which have led to this. Our racing fleet has been fragile for many years but this year we were without two keen sailors due to ill health and lost Christine Dawber who has moved to Haverfordwest. However, all is not bad. Racing shouldn’t be seen as everything. People are enjoying sailing and surely that’s the main thing.

For the first time we kept our Wayfarer in commission throughout the Winter and she was used in every month. When I started sailing here we had no wetsuits and our boats were mainly wooden so we were happy to call it a day in October and put the boat in the garage. However, now we have drysuits, warm neoprene boots and plastic boats so winter sailing is much more attractive. To keep some sailing available is important, particularly when there are 12 month alternatives not too far away. We also have some local members now who are keen to sail all year.

Good news is that we have had several people join our dinghy sailing group within the last two months and Martin and Janet Matthias have also joined our fleet with a Wayfarer of their own. Most new members are beginners and I’m pleased to be able to offer them tuition. Hopefully as they gain confidence, some will join the racing.

Our Club boats other than the Wayfarer have not seen much use. However, we were recently given a decent Topper which has proved very popular. Expenditure on the dinghies has been minimal. Our rescue boats have been reliable and on two occasions the black boat showed its worth in service over the shallow areas.

Powerboat training continues so that we maintain a healthy capability should the need for rescue arise.

Thanks to help from Port Dinorwic SC and to the Conway Centre on the Menai Strait my sail and power instructor qualifications were revalidated for a further 5 years over the Winter. Hannah Woodcock is currently working toward instructor qualification which will be excellent. She has already assisted me with training on occasions.

Well there we are: not great but there is hope!

3.2. Rear-Commodore Cruisers

We lost two members during th