Bartley Sailing Club Blog

Dear Members,

Happy new year and I hope you are all recovered after the festive period and I am hoping to get out on the water more regularly in the next few weeks and hope to see as many of you out there as possible.

The Committee are messaging to inform you that the Annual AGM will take place on the 16th March at 10.00 before the end of season races and prize giving’s.  

The AGM will present the accounts from the previous financial year (October 2017-October 2018) which have been prepared by our accountant. It will also include votes on committee members for the following year and will follow with a member’s Q and A session regarding club developments. 

I hope that you can attend but if you would like information from me directly then please be in touch through the

Regards

Caroline

The 3rd Bartley Bear Sprints will take place on the 20th Jan. 

There will be a briefing and off-the-water training session at 10.30 followed by up to twelve 10 to 15 minute races.

Let Jeremy Higson know if you want to borrow an Imperial Sailing mount for your GoPro or similar to record your sailing for the de-brief at the end of the session.

The session is aimed predominantly at Lasers (any rig) but other single handers with similar PY are welcome.

The focus is on start practice and the race to the windward mark - all abilities welcome.

To all the Wednesday people - Great news; you can now have food before you sail as Leanne will be open from 12.45 to serve you.

Dear Members,

We have arranged at Bartley Sailing Club on Friday 25th January to hold a New years party for members and friends and continue the fun and frolics (off the water)

Have you seen "Play your Cards right" the plan is for a quiz and games session to win some amazing prizes.

A full sit down two course dinner and refreshments have been organsied (full menu and drinks details will follow).

There will be a raffle so bring along any of those unwanted bottles or christmas gifts (that dont fit etc) so we can add a smile on someones face that night.

For now put the date in your diaries as this event must not be missed.

An all inclusive £12 entry, so please confirm your booking to Tilly at the Galley or from Jennifer Foort, Marie Allen or me (John L) we shall record names to save hassle on the night plus allows us to know attending numbers etc.

The club will be transformed and dressed for the evening, with a music play list to smooth the way... special request can be arranged though!!!

We hope everyone will attend as last time year 70 came so lets get the message out there and make this a real night to remember

Happy new year

John Ling

Happy New Year everyone!

This time of year brings reflection on the last year and plans for the new...

2018 brought some significant changes and challenges for the club whilst also highlighting the high level of sailing from our experienced racers and introduced numerous new members to the club who are just starting out.

In 2018 we:

Held the Silver Tiller Merlin event

The Supernova and Solo open meetings

The Laser end of Midland Traveller Series prize giving

The Midlands Junior Regatta

We introduced some new initiatives with Wednesday evening development sessions for those wishing to improve and Bartley Bear Sprint racing to improve our starting. We introduced the End of Series Regatta and prize giving with working parties that have cleared and tidied the boat park.

We travelled to the RYA Championships with our juniors, and bought the 2018 cohort of new junior sailors onboard through K2O on Saturday mornings.

Our laser fleet continued to grow through the Tuesday evening racing and a few travelled the circuits to put Bartley on the map further afield.

The Supernovas also grew in both numbers and competitiveness with the national and traveller champions both from Bartley.

The Solo fleet remained stable with a few finally retiring whilst new faces arrived.

The 400 fleet grew slightly with a couple more boats on the water during the summer months, and the handicap fleet remains strong for those sailing their prefered class with participation in the Aero and Streaker Nationals.

We continued to enjoy sailing against those from Barnt Green and more recently Earlswood as their water levels dropped.

On the club front we signed Rockley Watersports, changed from a managed club to a member led club, and introduced Tilly's Galley.

Our SUP team continued to grow and continue expanding through socials and cycling around the local area.

And so to 2019; we have a lot to look forward to...

The winter series is now underway so please come along and join us for a sail and jacket potato.

We have 2 more sessions of the Bartley Bear in January and February.

We have the Merlin Silver Tiller and the Supernova Open at the end of March / April, and will announce the dates of further opens in the New Year.

We will also be the final of the RYA Midlands Junior Traveller Series in September. This is a new initiative to get as many Juniors racing as possible without the pressure of squad selectors etc. This will be a great event for our K2O sailors to showcase their skills.

For all events keep a look out on the blog, the Bartley SC Facebook page, and the various Whatsapp groups that fleets have set up, and of course the calendar which informs all of race times.

So whether you SUP, sail, paddle, windsurf, powerboat or support, we wish you all the very best for a prosperous and Happy 2019.

It is with sadness that I write to inform you that Linda Cross passed away on the 19^th December 2018.

Linda was a long standing member of Bartley Sailing Club and held the position of Laser Fleet Captain for many years during the 90’s, organizing the fleet series and open meetings.

Linda’s funeral will be held at Kinver Methodist church on the 11^th January 2019 at 1:30 PM.

Whatever you may be doing we hope you have a very Merry Christmas from the Sailing Committee at Bartley S.C.

It is with great sadness that I have to inform our members of the passing of Stanley Bird (or Stan as most of us knew him) on 16th December.

Stan was the perfect gentleman, always smartly dressed, willing to help, friendly and cheerful. He was an honorary member of Bartley S.C. with 30 years service to the club.

Stan will be fondly remembered for keeping the Wednesday sailors stocked up with cake and tea and was a keen sailor during the earlier years.

Stan's funeral will be at Lodge Hill crematorium at 2.15 on Thursday 27th December followed, appropriately, by tea and cake at the sailing club.

Or more accurately flippin' freezing. But did that put the End of Series regatta off? Of course not. The working party braved the cold and tidied the area to the side of the boat garage, the upstairs office, the grass area by the OOD hut, and a litter pick throughout the boat park. Thanks to all who helped to keep our club looking clean and tidy.

Then a fleet of 8 took to the water in freezing rain, gusty force 5 winds, and a wind chill factor of -4. The course was simple but the tactics were not! John Ling took the Regatta win from Sam knight, but it was very close. Harrison Allen took the Junior prize sailing fantastically in the conditions to 4th overall. Steve Ward and Mike Acaster kept the GP upright to show that it is not just the Lasers that go out in the big winds, and Mark Rolfe demonstrated the 2 opposing states of an RS Aero; flying or upside-down!

The Autumn series prize giving then took place with mice pies, chocolates and mulled wine to thaw out the frozen sailors.

Steve Hawley won both the Handicap 1 and Pursuit series with Ian Clarke taking the Handicap 2 series. Great to see a couple of new names on the series tropies.

The Sunday series was won by Paul Fowell.

The Junior Series was won by Harrison Allen.

The overall and fleet series winners who attended received their trophies, wine, chocolates, and the all improtant Bartley 'winner' mug in a light hearted ceremony which all enjoyed.

Here are a few photos of the fun..

Thanks to Jennifer Foort for all the photos.

For those planning on sailing on Saturday and Sunday 22 / 23rd December please be advised that Tilly's Galley will be closed for their Christmas break so make sure you bring your own food.

The Galley will reopen the following week 29th / 30th Dec.

Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.