The Cookham Lock Island Rally (August 27th to 29th 2011 - Bank holiday)

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I think “informal and friendly” sums up this rally. You really are missing out if you don’t come to this event! The setting is idyllic, and the charming village of Cookham is a short walk away (or a short ferry trip with David Driver in “D’River”).

 The preceding weather was pretty dire, but mostly fine and sunny over the weekend itself. Moira and I were first to arrive on Friday afternoon in “Deux Poissons”, followed by “Arcadia”. A short while later “Pourquoi Pas”, and “Cera” arrived and moored at the head of the island (a lovely spot for the sunset). Then David Driver arrived in his small launch “D’River”, low in the water from a huge cargo of enormous logs for the bonfire! (How David gets these on board by himself is a mystery!) Shortly after that “Mimosa” arrived with Jane the Rear Commodore, and crew.  The evening was warn and sunny as we put up the two large gazebos and set up the camp.

 We were turning in for the night when we heard an outboard buzzing past, which turned out to be Patrick in “Miss Coquette” arriving in the dark, after supper and a pint at the Ferry pub, just across the weir stream.

 Saturday was pleasant with just a brief shower. Our President, Robin Newlands arrived on foot, and shortly after that “Snowgoose of Breydon” joined us followed by “Sabrina” and in the evening our Treasurer, Peter, and Theresa in “Lucy Ann”. John (Boater editor) and Jeanine Llewellyn arrived on foot as did more members with guests and family. We lit the line of barbecues and after a struggle with wet wood, finally got the large bonfire roaring away (thanks to Stuart!). Jim provided a very neat gas-powered generator for the strings of lights, and we all had a very pleasant evening.

 On Sunday (after the usual brief shower) we had a brief visit from Lady Lucy, and the welcome arrival of our Commodore Adam Toop on foot. It was of course the day of the Belgian Grand Prix and I set up a TV under the gazebos for us F1 addicts. Well done to Jenson Button! Shortly after that Jane appeared with three bottles of champagne, and we all drank a toast to Peter Messer, long time boater and club member, who, in spite of a very taxing illness had somehow made it on board Mimosa, and managed to join us at the rally. Peter made an amusing yet moving speech. We wish him a speedy return to good health.

 During the day a constant stream of club members and friends arrived on foot, including Jonathan Sheldon (Magic Rose), Fiona and Mick (Lady Petite), and others that I must apologise for forgetting! Peter and Sue (Perrapin) came to join us, having just retuned from their honeymoon. Many congratulations to you both!

 The barbecues were lit once again and the large bonfire (the hallmark of this event) coaxed into roaring action. As usual we all ended up in a big happy circle around the fire in the summer night, consuming our various tipples and enjoying the company of friends.

 Monday was “strike camp” day, in no particular hurry, and all the equipment and paraphernalia was packed on board “Mimosa” for return to the club store. Around lunchtime our Vice Commodore David Lister arrived in lady Genevieve with his family and stayed for a while. That left us, in “Deux Poissons”, and Carol and Martin in “Arcadia”. We cast off, went through the lock, and cruised down Cliveden Reach, to stop overnight at our favourite island, before returning home on Tuesday.

 To sum up, a great time was had by all. See you there next year!

Mike Phillips

The 2011 TVBC Annual General Meeting

 This year’s AGM took place on Thursday March 10^th at Penton Hook Yacht Club. It was the best attended AGM for some years, with around fifty people attending. The AGM commenced with the Commodore, Grant Kinnaird, chairing the meeting and accepting the minutes of last year’s AGM, then reading a report on the very successful previous year for the club, and concluding with the observation that we are in fact achieving the aims of the club as laid out in the Constitution.

Mike Phillips, the Honorary Secretary, read his report next, and briefed us on the “register of craft” kept by the club, which is now in electronic form, and how this is to be transferred to the public web site of the TVBC, from the members-only web site, and how the public web site is to be expanded. He also re-iterated the importance of the ability to email all club members with news of forthcoming events, rather than spending club funds on expensive bulk postal mailings, as in the past. He briefed us on the proposed club events for this year, and went on to read out a tribute to Grant Kinnaird, listing the very impressive timeline of all the posts in the TVBC that Grant has held in the last sixteen years, which was rightly greeted with an accolade from all those present. Mike concluded with expressing regret that he was stepping down as Honorary Secretary for personal reasons.
Our Honorary Treasurer, Peter Scrutton, then read his report on his first year on the post, outlining how he is actively turning around the existing downward trend of the club’s reserves by getting all members to be fully paid up and introducing a modified annual fees structure which will raise a significant amount of additional income. He further reported that the club has made a small surplus in this last year as opposed to a loss in the previous year. (Copies of the Annual Accounts were made available to everyone present, and can be obtained by emailing Peter).
A brief report submitted by the Membership Secretary, Sean Wiles, was read out, stating he was happy to continue in his present role, with apologies for his absence due to living too far away from tonight’s venue.
The Nomination Forms received by the secretary were then read out and each one voted on. Results were as follows.

 COMMODORE: Adam Toop
VICE COMMODORE: David Lister
REAR COMMODORE: Jane Percival
HONORARY SECRETARY: No nominations
HONORARY TREASURER: Peter Scrutton (re-elected)
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Sean Wiles (re-elected)
BOATER EDITOR: John Llewellyn (re-elected)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Grant Kinnaird, Mike Phillips, Lynda Kinnaird (re-elected), Patrick Prince (re-elected), Jim Jackson (re-elected), Helga Curry (re-elected).

The surprise of the evening, and a very pleasant one, was the sudden nomination and acceptance of Jane Percival for Rear Commodore. Jane is a former Commodore and has been a mainstay of the club for many years. Ian Gilbert was unable to stand again for Rear Commodore as he is moving up to a Flag rank in the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS), where he is a very active member. David Driver has resigned for a well earned rest after many years on the Committee as Treasurer and Member.
The changes to the Membership structure and annual dues (as detailed in a former “Boater” and a mailing to all club members) were voted on by the entire AGM and passed unanimously

A well –received fish-and-chip supper followed the AGM, organised by Patrick Prince, after which John Wright, resident lock-keeper at Penton Hook, and a veteran boatman and lock-keeper since 1974, was introduced by our President and John’s former boss, Robin Newlands. John gave a fascinating talk on the history of the river Thames and the Thames locks, entitled “An Historic Trip Down the Thames”, together with a number of historic photographs and slides. This was enjoyed by all and we would like to thank John for taking time out to entertain us.
The evening was completed with a raffle by our famous raffle team of Helga and Eve, who appear at every event with a well-laden table of goodies.