RCC Burgee

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting at the Black Bear, Wareham
At 14.00 hrs on Saturday 21st November 2009.

  1. Welcome. The Commodore, Tony Raven, welcomed members to the meeting. He praised the meal enjoyed by those present and thanked Sandra and Moyra for arranging the venue.
  2. Apologies for Absence were received from:-
    Alison Carrier and Clive Stonehill, John and Bron Chaplin, Gary and Carol Rowitt, Terry and Wendy Crees, Reeta Palermo, John Cosier and Maureen Adby and Pat and Arthur Corcoran.
  3. Present.
    Mr (Commodore) and Mrs Tony Raven
    Mr and Mrs (V Commodore) R Gregory
    Mr and Mrs (R Commodore) D King and Sarah
    Mr and Mrs G White
    Mrs Wendy Dean
    Mr D Palermo
    Mr (Hon Sec. and Treas.) P Stanaway and Mrs P Stanaway
  4. The minutes of the meeting held 29th Nov 2008. These, having been circulated earlier, were taken as read. A proposal by Mrs Gregory, seconded by Mrs King, was accepted by the meeting.
  5. Matters Arising from these minutes.
    Sandra had arranged the reservation at The St Peter's Finger at Lychett Minster, for the Annual Planning Meeting on Saturday 24th January.
  6. Commodores Report.
    The Commodore welcomed members to the meeting and thanked them for attending. He said that he was aware that some members had not been in the best of health during the year, including Debbie and himself. He wished all members a healthy 2010.
    This year had seen some good turn outs to our events and asked all members to check our web-site (www.rockleycruisingclub.co.uk) and we were already discussing dates with Redclyffe YC for the bar-b-que next year.
    The Club, he said, had got its first members via the RCC web site, which this year he felt had been first class with lots of news and pictures of our events. He thanked Peter for his reports from the PYA meetings etc and also the OOD's for organising the Club's events throughout the year.
    He said that he and Debbie had sold 'Vicox', their 23ft 32kn Sport Cruiser in November 2008 and had bought a Jeanneau 32ft lift keel yacht - 'Windrush' in December. He remarked that it was 30 years since he had last sailed and Debbie had never sailed before. He felt that they were now getting to grips with the new boat, but that there was always something to learn. So far, they had completed 600nm. He asked all members to let the committee know what events they would like to see and take part in, for the 2010 season. Contact could be made through the RCC web-site, which he checked regularly. He remarked that he had been proposed as commodore for another year and this he was happy to do. In concluding, he asked all members to be part of RCC and urged them to make 2010 even better than 2009.
  7. Hon Treasurer's Report.
    Peter had distributed copies of the accounts for the year a earlier in the meeting. He highlighted the following points:-
    • Assets remain constant at 26flags (@ £6.00Ea = £156) - but I am hopeful that a few will need replacing in the not too near future!
    • Affiliation fee to the RYA remains @ £96. Larger clubs are having their fees reduced.
    • Subs to PYA @ £59-this will go up to £65 for 2010.
    • Collection for Denver @ £130 received from members - this was sent to Wendy and Denver's local branch of the RNLI. Additional donations from some members were made at the funeral.
    • Approx cost of The Bulletin was £64.
    • The Hon Secs expenses of -£94, are mostly associated with the News Sheet, but this year it included engraving 'The Presidents Cup' (£5.50 and posting @ £1.94, bottles of wine for the 'Fun Evening at Redclyffe' @ £9.98 and £5.00 in cash for the membership cards.(Thank you Marion and Geoff) Thus the Newsheet and Secretarial communications cost about £69.
    • Interest from The Business Account came to £3.93. Most of this was last year as of late we have only been receiving 3p a month!
    • Since the interest rate is currently so low (0.5%), perhaps we should allow The Business Account to run down a little and not increase our Members Subs? Should we invest some of the money elsewhere to get a better return?
    There were no questions, but the question of investment for a better return was left to any other business.
    A proposal by Derek, seconded by Debbie, that the Accounts be adopted, was agreed by all present.
  8. Hon. Secretary's Report. Peter gave a report from both the PYA and the RYA.

    Report from PYA.

    The important items from these meetings have been reported in the regular Newsheets.
    However, I highlight a few.
    • Progress on the Poole Harbour HRO's- the RYA is still fighting the corner about 'General Directions' and their requirement for consultation, should the harbour master for example, want to introduce draconian measures. A decision is expected early next year before it goes to Parliament. Will it come before this parliament? If it doesn't, will the process have to start from the beginning?
    • The new Harbour Safety Liaison meeting is mostly about racing safety - particularly the interaction of the racing boats with the Commercial traffic. Safety advice from that has been passed on to you. This included for example, news of the forthcoming exercise at the harbour entrance.
    • Keeps me informed directly with LN to M. I pass these on to you asap. These include for example, changing bridge opening times, new buoyage marking an area of avoidance - if possible - for sea horse studies.
    • Access to Long Island. Not really a PHC matter, but I did send in a report to Dorset CC on how much we have used the Long Island Shore over the last 15-20 years. All representation seems to have been ignored - and there were a lot around the harbour - in favour of the Rempstone Estate.
    • PYA - have some clout when it comes to Harbour Dues. Not much - but we can let our feelings be known representing a large group of people.
    • From the meeting on Thurs, Harbour Dues will increase by 0.7% for next year - RPI +2%!. Negotiations are about to start with The Crown Estates on their requirement for the Mooring Licence Fees. The agreed formula suggests no increase, but!
    • I think - indeed hope - that you are the best informed members of any club in the harbour. You are told news as I get it. Other clubs may put such info as a single copy on a club notice board.
    • I have updated our clubs' risk assessment. You are welcome to peruse and comment before I send this off to the HM.
    • The tender for the second bridge is expected to be let by the end of the year, with work starting early next year. Completion is expected in about 2 years. By then new bye-laws - enforcement of traffic lights - is expected to be in place.
    • Reporting on the Environment, Sea Horses and Eel grass have been discussed. The PHC are of the same opinion as ourselves - pleasure boats and seahorses can live together!
    • Maintenance dredging will take place again next year.
    • The part Poole will play in The Olympics is still at the early stage. Poole Yacht Club are worried about the possible parking of a cruise ship in the ferry turning basin! So are Brittany ferries!

    Report from the RYA.

    Although The RYA does little for us as a club directly, they are there to provide back-up should this be required. On a broad front, they a fighting on all fronts for all clubs generally. In particular:-
    • Arranged for the RMCC - Coastguard to you and me - to collect out of date flares.
    • Latest info is that this can be done in Poole - next door to 'Piplers' this month.
    • Tried their best for red diesel. At least we have a practical solution and it is still widely available.
    • Still fighting for a sensible outcome for the proposed drinking laws.
    • E-borders. Still on-going discussions to make it practical on our behalf. They have accepted that the government cannot be beaten - but are arguing for a simple and effective solution for the recreational sailors.
    • Got involved with the 'seahorses in Studland' saga to fight for continuing access for recreational sailors.
    • Looking after our interests with proposed off-shore wind farms - concerned about continuing navigation rights.
    • Advised on the trend to installing LED navigation lights. These American lights do not meet European standards.
  9. Presentation of the Presidents Cup.
    Peter outlined briefly, John and Bron's thoughts on the award of the cup. He said that their full comments would be included in The Bulletin to be published in the Spring.
    There were 3 entries, all worth reading and a very difficult problem to decide who has the cup next year. He asks - please can we have more entries next year!
    • An entry by Peter on a late break, where he described just how good a break in The Solent can be. As usual, Peter and Pat put their bikes to good use, but were a bit miffed that they couldn't use their bus passes on the Open Top to the Needles! The sailing happened to be good as well!
    • Saltpetre recounted Adventures in Newtown. John was a little puzzled as he couldn't find Saltpetre in the membership. John says that he remembered the time he had a blocked toilet in Plymouth - the boat had to lifted out only to find a pan scrubber - a grandchild had put it down the toilet for fun!
    • Tony and Debbie described their experience in moving from motor to sail and the learning processes involved. John noted that most people give up sail for motor as they get older!
    John said, that he and Bron very much enjoyed reading all three entries, but felt that as Tony and Debbie's was a little different from usual, they deserved the cup.
  10. Election of Officers.
    Peter reported that he had received the following nominations:-
    Commodore - Tony Raven.
    Vice Commodore - Moyra Gregory.
    Rear Commodore - Sandra King.
    All have indicated their willingness to continue for a 4th year.
    Hon Sec. - Peter Stanaway.
    Hon Treas. Peter Stanaway.
    I am happy to continue.
    There were no other nominations.
    A proposal that these nominations be accepted en bloc, was carried by the meeting.
  11. The 2010 Planning Meeting was arranged to be at The Black Bear, Wareham on Sat 23rd Jan 2010, to follow after lunch at 12.00hrs.
  12. Any other Business.
    After a brief discussion, on the benefits of moving 'The Business Account' to one which earned slightly more interest, it was agreed that Peter enquire of Lloyds Bank as to what was available. (More interest, but with instant access?)
    The benefits of affiliation to both PYA and the RYA were considered and all present agreed these were very beneficial and should be continued.
    It was noted that the visit to Redclyffe next year for the combined clubs bar-b-q and entertainment, was likely to be Sept 11th.
    There being no other business, the Commodore thanked everyone for coming and wished them 'safe journey'

WP Stanaway.
Hon Sec RCC. 22nd Nov 2009.