Countdown To Fitting Out

It was nice to see the clubhouse bulging at the seams on New Year's Eve - the best vantage point in the village from which to view the fireworks in warmth and comfort. There was an equally good turnout on New Year's Day as members and their guests recovered from watching the intrepid swimmers make the long cold walk back up the beach. Now all that is in the past, we can endure the dismal cold weather, buoyed by the knowledge that the great day of Fitting Out cannot be long delayed. To help us get through the intervening months, our ever enthusiastic social committee has devised a programme of entertaining distractions as follows : Tomorrow (Saturday), 8 pm at the clubhouse - a Beetle Drive. On past experience of SSC Beetle Drives, they are worthy of study by anthropologists and psychiatrists as normally staid individuals are lured into personality transplants by the triumphs and disasters of this deceptive pastime. Saturday, January 28, 7.30 pm, at the clubhouse - Indoor Sailing. An explanation of this event will be supplied as soon as Ancient Mariner understands it. Saturday, February 11 - Bowls and Bangers. Nothing to do with either fireworks or flower arranging. The bowls will happen at Canaston Bowl starting 6.45 pm. Bangers will restore the energy expended there later at the clubhouse. Previous Bowls evenings have been marred by catering problems - a ravenous crowd arriving all at once, supposedly synchronised with deliveries from outside caterers. We have a better plan. Would prospective bowlers please telephone Anita Osborne on 01834 812383 or 0781 829 3954. Saturday, February 25, 8 pm at the clubhouse - Quiz Night. All this is 'as well as, not instead of' the Friday night training sessions on sailing and racing issues, and the increasing numbers who drop in later for pool and chat.

Public Relations

PR (also known as 'spin') has taken a well-deserved battering in recent years. We have no ulterior motives, simply the recognition that our membership is widely scattered and our members will be better served by improved communication - in both directions. As resident spin doctor, Ancient Mariner has been volunteered to make this work - watch this space. Here is today's news. The budget for the current financial year is under the microscope, and the wish-list starts with: 1. New patrol boat engine; 2. Repairs to clubhouse guttering; 3. Fire-retardant curtains. Think four-figure sums for each of these and much else. Solutions to reach AM not later than today (Friday).

Ancient Mariner