Thanks for a great event

[Gabriel]

Hi all,

just wanted to say thank you for making me feel so welcome at the Nationals, was great to meet so many of you finally.

Loved the sailing and it was really worth coming over. Thanks as well for the 'furthest travelled' award, unfortunately I had to leave early otherwise I would've definitely been there to knock back a few beers with you all.

see you next year!
Gabriel

[Bob Carter]

Hi Gabriel,
Nice to see you at the Nationals. You did very well for a man who just got trained.

We generally like one or two of the guys who are new to the fleet to write a little article on what you thought of it, to publish in the next magazine.
Can you do us one, please? You have got a couple of weeks to get it done so it is not terribly rushed.

Cheers
Bob

PS I was going to catch you at Thorpe Bay to ask you but I missed you when you went early.

[George Love]

Hi Gabriel,
Sorry I missed you on my flying visit to TBYC on Sat. evening and just to say how delighted I would be to receive an article for the Mag. Awaiting in anticipation.

[Gabriel]

More than happy to write something, the LBC back home will probably expect a few words as well so it works out well.

[Steve Willis]

Well done to Thorpe Bay, Eric Sales says that his young crew Alex Grindley has not stopped talking about his first big event with Eric since he got home - and despite being dumped in the drink by ERic and having to be picked up.

Steve Willis

[Bob Carter]

Yes, It was nice to see Eric in 2-up mode again and Alex seemed to enjoy it. Other Seasalter highlights were Kevin Dutch did well securing 3rd place(under the watchful eye of Jo & even Dad, John, turned up to watch) and Martin's results programme was superb. We got the whole results sorted in a matter of minutes and spent the next 40 minutes trying to find Nick to do the presentation.

[Frank]

Yes well done Thorpe Bay, well done Andrew, Duncan, Howard and all the staff and members who made us most welcome and contributed to a very successful National Championship
Great sailing, fantastic hospitality great grub in to the bargain! A real bonus only having to walk / stagger a hundred meters or so from the club to my tent, then only having the same distance to get the boat in the water in the morning

[Frank]

PS. Due to peer group pressure I spent my afternoons in the camping area, drinking beer and mulling over the days sailing which consequently meant that I missed the pictures of the racing action. So the question is ----------- will I be able to see the action on the club web site?

[Gordon]

Just wanted to add my thanks to all the people at Thorpe Bay for putting on a great Nationals and making us feel so welcome.

As a venue, the club is perfect. There can't be many places in the country where the sailing clubhouse overlooks the beach and the boat park, and yet you can pitch your tent on a grassy field within 100 yards of both. Couldn't really hope for much more.

The dinner and the entertainment was great.

The quality of the racing was outstanding, the weather was testing (to say the least). and everything so well run.
Personally, I'd like to thank the race officer for his well judged shortening of the second race on the last day, because I'd completely run out of steam by then! The right call as the conditions were getting a bit too serious.

One of the best Nationals I can recall.

I would definitely vote for a return to Thorpe Bay if they would have us.

Regards
Gordon

[ray.gall]

Thanks to all those involved with organising a great Nationals at Thorpe Bay and for making all the visitors feel so welcome.

Sorry Duncan for not being able to stay for the fun events I would have really enjoyed the CRAP sailing Next time

My first visit to TBYC and I hope not too long before I'm back, from Carsington the 180 mile journey to TBYC was made with ease making your venue very do-able for a weekend TT, you have an excellent club house with space for boats / trailers / camping on the green which kept all the combatents together which worked fantastically well and adds to the event.

My thanks to all those connected with the galley, great job.

Racing was good, my thanks also to the RO for not setting a P course in those testing conditions!

Apologies for not having attended previous Sprint 15 meetings but to be honest wasn't expecting too much from this years Nationals (South End factor / Nothern views) pleasently surprised and can only say what a discovery you are great club / organistion / venue, plenty of readily available and on the door step accomodation, the sailing area is big enough to stage a Nationals Event and the short sea chop I found testing!
As general Mc Arthur said "I Shall Return"

[Andrew Hannah]

Thank you Ray for a lovely post. It was very welcome after all our efforts to make the 30th anniversary a success.

I don't know how other clubs organise an event such as this, but we at Thorpe Bay had an organising committee of three. Howard Hawkes did the NOR and SI. Chris Maloney organised all aspects of catering and the entertainment. I was responsible for negotiating with the Council for use of the carpark for camping, and arranging personnel for each of the days.

There were no complaints from the residents which proves what a civilised bunch we are!

I am pleased Northern pre-conceived ideas about the land of whelks has been put to rest. We have made many new friends with these nationals, and I would like to thank all who came to support us.

Andrew.

[Duncan Ford]

Thanks Ray, Gabriel, Frank, Gordon and others for the kind comments.

Glad you enjoyed it. As Andrew says, the hard work was done by the committee of him Howard and Chris, but Liz Austin also put an awful lot of time into organizing the registration.

Frank - there are loads of photos of Sat and Sun (Mon was too rough for them to get out) which we are trying to get to George Love for the website.

Andrew - Are you able to get hold of Candy who was going to send George Love a photo CD?

Hopefully we have put the spectre of Southend to rest. I always think of Thorpe Bay as an oasis in a south-east Essex desert!

If there is a next time, as we hope there will be, I see lots of families sitting on the beach, walking on the mud flats, swimming, playing cricket and football in front of the tents, and cycling along the seafront! I also see loads of boats in the fun sailing!

Great to meet you all.

Duncan Ford TBYC 1973

[Andrew Hannah]

Sorry Duncan. I should have added your considerable contribution both as regards the fun events and the dinner menu. And the anniversary birthday cake was your idea.

Fortunately for everyone, my opinion on the menu was never sought. Otherwise it would have been .............................about half the number of entries!

[Bob Carter]

Hi Guys
Why Andrew? What would you have had on the menu?
Cheers
Bob

[Andrew Hannah]

Thanks Bob. You're the first person to consult me on a choice of menu. Here is what I would have proposed.

Breakfast: Grape nuts or Force. Followed by kidneys on toast OR Spam with tinned tomatoes on fried bread.

Packed lunches for competitors: Sandwiches with meat paste or Sandwich Spread. Plus confectionery, eg Pontefract cakes.

Dinner: Tinned sardines on toast. Followed by tripe or whelk and winkle terrine (for veggies). Haggis for Frank. Then for afters, sago pudding or marmalade pudding.

Coffee with sweets, eg acid drops, victory V's, aniseed balls, sherbert dabs etc.

Andrew.