Snipe Newsletter Spring 2004Happy New Year to you all. I hope that you all had a good Christmas and New Year. We are now two months into 2004 and I am already thinking about the new sailing season. I am looking forward to the UK events and a few in Europe, including the European Championship. 2003 seemed to be a better year for turn outs, although still fairly low. It does seem that we are always relying on the faithful few to make the journeys and support other clubs. I can’t think of a way to get people out and about to experience what the class has to offer away from the home fleets. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Once again we have had to work hard to get open meetings at Broadstairs and Stone. They needed some persuading as our turn outs are always low (less than 10). Both locations offer great sailing and good hospitality. Please support them this year. It is through the contacts of Keith Harding and Gavin Watkins that enables us to host meetings at these places. To start off the season, we will once again be at the annual Sailboat and Windsurf exhibition at Alexandra Palace over 6th / 7th March. Richard Taylor is organising the stand this year, and we are showing Sue Roberts’ boat (the Orange Boat). Richard will need help over the weekend both to man the stand and also to set up and take down. Please contact Richard or me if you can help (Richard’s mobile is 07801 450997). This year Maldon will be organising the UK Nationals, to be held in Clacton on the East coast, over 29th July - 1st August. Clacton is a small holiday town, ideal to bring the family to, and there is camping available on site. Put the dates in your diary, I am sure that Alan Hoy and the rest of the Maldon fleet will be working hard to make this a good event. Sadly I must let you know of the passing away of Lou Lancaster. Lou (along with her husband Les) was a member of Maldon Yacht Club for many years and a great supporter of the Snipe Class. She will be sadly missed by all those that knew her throughout the class. Our thoughts are with Les and the rest of his family. Currently, there is an international committee working towards getting the Snipe accepted as an Olympic class. The initial proposal will be submitted in March, with further submissions and trials during this year. There has been a mixed reaction to this throughout the Snipe countries. Initially, I was sceptical, but believe that we should support our class. This decision it seems has been taken quickly, and unfortunately, there has not been enough time for a wide discussion. I will keep you informed as this progresses. Having been rather outspoken on the issue, I am now included on most of the email correspondence that is taking place This will be my third and final year as the UK national secretary. I hope that whoever takes over will have the support that you have shown me. I believe that I am not going to “escape” from the class organising and another job will be found for me. No peace for the wicked! Please have a good read of this newsletter and book the open meeting dates in your diary. Have a good years sailing in 2004. See you on the water. Liz SCIRA application for charitable statusUnfortunately we were unsuccessful. In the words of the commission ‘... we are of the view that SCIRA is an organisation established to support the interests of those involved and not the wider community...’.I cannot argue with their decision and the February committee meeting concurred with my view. This means that we will not be able to reclaim tax on our subs. Further, it means that we will have to review the constitution agreed at our last AGM. I have submitted a draft for review by Derrick Crouch, John Love and Mike Andrews. Once I have received their comments I will post it on the web-site. Roger Barnes ‘Bendy’ Mast WantedLooking for a second hand bendy mast (Proctor Miracle/ Holt Allen Rigel or Sidewinder) Please contact: James Burgon, Kisumu, Bu Road, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3JH Tel 01856 851556 Stone ReportThe arrival of 2004 closes the Stone Sailing Club book on fifty years of “ hands on Committee Boat control by the Crispin snipe family”. The ten years of the 1950s was total commitment by the late snipe member Horace Crispin. During the decade he held SCIRA UK National Secretary, hosted the 1958 Snipe European Championship, Plymouth plus held Commodore of Stone Sailing Club. Then - to finalise in 1959 Horace saw the potential of the Blackwater Estuary and placed the Stone Club and race area foremost as a venue for Olympic Course Championship Racing. Starting with the Stone International Snipe Open, 1960, Horace’s foresight was an instant success. Other classes in the club quickly saw the opportunity to host their own Olympic Course events which became a steady income for the club, whilst the RYA took interest as a venue. Horace laid the foundation of a quality race committee that ensured excellent organisation and training for the future. He purchased a vessel most suitable for the task of a committee boat, and christening her after his wife Majorie Ann. Horace’s sons Bryan and David were deeply committed to snipe racing becoming National Champions and UK representatives at the Snipe Worlds 1961. The natural drift of Bryan slowing down on racing was only to become involved with his father on the Race Committee. Come the late 1980s both Horace and Bryan looked for a smaller role in the club racing programme, which fired the interest and enthusiasm of son David! David took on the post of Committee Boat Race Officer modernising the system and purchased a new craft. With strict discipline and control, David built up a distinguished Committee Boat Team under Wendy Robinson. For half a life time the family name of Crispin has attended to the Stone Snipe Open, amongst the numerous other class championships hosted at the club. To allow David to retire without a tribute of gratitude to Horace, Bryan and David would be disrespectful and unappreciative of the debt we owe to the snipe family name of CRISPIN. John R Broughton New Web SiteHolm Sailing Club has a new web site created by webmaster Alan Aim. Visit: http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/SAILHOLM/ European ReportThe early release of the 2004 race calendar has been of assistance to Europe. Gilles’s drive in the Autumn to get secretaries to co-operate in submitting their major dates without delay paid dividends in his being able to sort out any date clashes and reschedule regattas. Credit has to be shown to our General Secretary Gilles in his regular circulation of news - good or bad - to keep Europe updated. From “chit chats” over recent weeks I have concluded that the 2004 European Championship shall experience a large entry, possibly the highest entry ever to a Europeans. Running the French Nationals as an open event before the Europeans gives eleven days racing at Lorient. Also the late August date is away from other major events, which is a clear advantage. I have complete confidence that Renes Committee shall be well able to handle a large entry of competitors and supporting teams! The short duration of the 2004 Junior European Championship has been questioned. Realistically three days is a short timetable for such a prestigious regatta. I am sure the European Secretaries Meeting agenda will include this as an item and rectify for future Junior Europeans. My ongoing work nibbling at the East European countries may be assisted in the enlargement of the EU. Though I look more hopefully for results once Poland’s Boat Builder starts moulding Snipes. Certainly Russia and Poland developed a strong Snipe following, whilst one has to understand Ukraine, Belaruss and the Baltic States remain exposed. Right now I consider the Czech Republic is the key to unlock the further expansion of Snipe into East Europe. Eighteen months back I was sure with a Czech Sailing Club having a well known country helm sailing a Snipe that it was only a matter of time to add another European country to the SCIRA World. My confidence was short lived - as Poland has purchased the boat! Can I tempt a crew to look at one of the budget airlines flying to Oporto? May 21 -23 is the Iberian Championship - no entry fee and accommodation provided. It could be worthwhile contacting secretary Luis - lpessanha@dagardiberica.pt - seeking the hire of a Snipe and going out for a long weekend. The Spanish Secretary Fernando, is to make a concerted drive to enlarge the Snipe interest and membership in northern Spain by organising three class events. In March, fleet 136 (Vigo), will host an invitation race, then in September fleet 152 (Gijon) and fleet 150 (Santander), shall host two separate Snipe weekend events. The Spanish Secretary and his fellow Snipe officials would be most grateful for other European countries to send competing crews to boost the class image in their drive to encourage sailors in the northern Galicia area into the class. The Board’s decision to submit SCIRA for Olympic consideration is most unexpected. Traditionally the association has adopted a slow approach, without a time limit, on such items needing complete world input. Personally I am apprehensive of the short time limit imposed, on an issue that is bound to have an impact on our jealously guarded constitution. Elizabeth has democratically consulted and voiced the UK membership opinion. Remember- SCIRA belongs to each and every paid up member and that member has a duty, as a custodian of the class, to participate and be heard! John R Broughton
STOP PRESSI have now received a firm offer from Portugal’s Secretary Luis - An English crew would be welcome and appreciated to compete at the Iberian Championship. A Snipe could be found with three days hotel paid including dinner. Contact Luis Pessanha. lpessanha@dagardiberica.pt Maldon Spring ReportIt’s nearly time to get those Snipes prepared for the new season. We are starting a little later than usual at Maldon this year to allow extra time to finish off the clubhouse refurbishment. There has been a lot of activity at the clubhouse over the winter. The entire exterior of the club has been replaced with UVPC, along with new doors, windows and a high spec covering for the roof. The race box has been rebuilt and is now much larger. A new system for the starting lights will be installed and a much louder hooter should make starting more reliable. The intention is to completely renew the exterior this year and make alterations to the interior over the winter period next year, money permitting. The date for the Snipe South Easterns is 3rd/ 4th July. Maldon is the host club for the Nationals, which are at Clacton on 30th, 31st July and 1st August. There will be camping at the club but Clacton is in easy commuting distance if you do not want to stay. Congratulations to Bridget and Ian on the birth of their daughter Charlotte Emma who was born on Monday 17 November at 21:36. Some people will do anything to get a light weather crew! We normally have a good turn out for the Easter Bunny series which runs on all four days over Easter so get those Maldon boats on the water for then. I have not had any volunteers to take over as Snipe fleet captain yet. I will do some work towards the Nationals and South Easterns but will be looking for help with these. Alan Hoy
Lou LancasterI would like to pay my respects to Lou. I am very sad over her passing, Lou was a fine sincere lady with a great sense of fun. So many happy memories. Our Saturday evening trips to Maldon Yacht Club with a car load of Stone Snipe tearaways. The attraction to Maldon was two fold; the low priced beer and the generous pints dispensed by Lou managing the bar. But the finest memory was at a South Easterns. The late night BBQ was in full swing and the noise horrendous. Despite the club’s isolation on the saltings the police arrived to check on a complaint. This was trouble as the club had no late night license! In a flash realising the problem Lou took complete control. The blaring tannoy was quickly turned to an acceptable level, coffee poured out and handed to the patrol officers along with a monster of a burger . Then in a destroying smile and voice came “ Oh officers - what a surprise and joy to see you, please stay” said Lou handing out another massive burger. They became putty in her hands and stay they did, forgetting the complaint call with coffee and burgers flowing free. Around 1 a.m they returned off shift - with the Essex Constabulary none the wiser that for two hours Maldon had had no mobile police control! Lou - great company - great fun - a great loss. Eric Broughton Sail in Le Havre in 2004Le Havre will be hosting the Championship Ligue haute Normandie (and possibly Yves le Bour 1st leg) over the weekend 1 / 2 May. The sailing club is in the middle of the town, so this is an ideal place for non-sailors to come along for the weekend. This is also a bank holiday in the UK so ideal for a long weekend. Accommodation can be found in a local hotel, the price is approximately £13 per person per night. Derrick Crouch is willing to tow a double trailer over to help out, but he will need to know by the end of March to enable him to make his booking. If you need more details then please get in touch asap. There are 2 boats booked already to go. Details required - Boat Number - Number of people travelling, full names. - Cabin requirements -willing to share or own cabin? - Are you willing to take your car and tow a double / triple trailer? - Hotel rooms required (single/twin/double) Liz Crouch THE LAUNCHING OF WILLIE ALLAN’S BOAT (or that new boat feeling, Orkney Style)SCAPA FLOW has witnessed many interesting and soul-stirring incidents from the days when the old Norsemen of adventure sailed their flat-bottomed boats into some of its more secluded bays to modern times when it harboured two of the greatest navies in the world. An event, which will go down in the annals of the Flow, took place at the West Shore of Holm, when the long looked-for and talked-about launching of Willie Allan’s Snipe took place. When we arrived at the shed, which housed the vessel, sounds of tremendous activity met us. Inside, last minute finishing touches were hastily being made. Two men were busy at the bench completing final work on the rudder. One man inside the boat was wielding a hammer while another outside was holding against him. Two outside were working on the mast, and a third was busy splicing wires. A short distance from the door a tractor and trailer waited impatiently. Cars began to arrive and over the hill, in twos and threes, people congregated as if they were coming to a Covenanters’ meeting. At length the cry went up “She’s ready!” and twenty willing hands raised her from the floor and eased her gently through the door and on to the trailer. A long, arduous and twisted trail to the beach was quickly covered, and by this time the crowd had increased to over fifty. Men of many summers were there to see this boat of which they heard so much and women too from far and near. Magnus Wylie, Dave Marwick, Peter Isbister were there, and others too numerous to mention. Gentle hands eased her off the trailer and ere she took the water a bottle of champagne was broken over her bows by Miss June Crowther, who named her “I’m Alone”. Willie himself was in his element. This was his night of triumph, and rightly so, for he is a farmer, noted far and wide for his grand good nature and readiness to lend a helping hand to anyone. None ever appeals to him in vain and, in spite of the multifarious jobs he has to do at his own farm, he is always ready to help others. Thus it was that he has been two years in completing his craft, built in his spare time and not always with the best of tools. Quickly the mast was erected, the stays fixed, and a mighty cheer went up from the crowd of spectators as she took the water. But she wasn’t still quite ready for away! Some small adjustments had to be made to get the rudder to fit and then sails were hoisted. By this time it was getting dark and rain was threatening. Spectators were getting impatient, but at last Willie shouted “Let her go” and as he tightened the sheet, the wind heeled her over nicely and she rose to the waves like a bird. 8th August 1951 - Orkney Herald |