In this issue

 Welcome back!

Ask any self-respecting grandmother and she will tell you and everyone around: "In my days, we had snow EVERY WINTER. I remember walking four miles to school every day in me galoshes...". Well, there must have been lots of happy grannies this year with the amount of snow we had!

Over the last two months, the club hasn't hibernated totally despite freezing temperatures inside: the central heating thermostat decided to pack up in January so the last committee meeting was literally frosty! Fortunately, the heating has been repaired and we'll be warm after sailing.

When you come back to the club, you might notice that it is looking much brighter. The outside has been repainted and we are going to start the 2010 season with a fresh look.

Other exciting news during the winter was the current debate over the footpath / cycle path and the best solutions to make life easier for all users. With so many people, jogging, skating, cycling, walking their dogs, their boats or their mother-in-law, trying to keep everyone happy isn't an easy job.
West Sussex County Council is working in close association with all partners involved to come up with a set of measures to promote awareness and understanding. It's a long process and you may see local cyclists talking to other path users over the next few weekends.

The development of Overstrand, the bungalow opposite the club gates, has kept lots of people talking since December. With a planning application for four houses of four bedrooms each, you can imagine that the opposition was fierce! After a few weeks of sending emails and waiting, the application was withdrawn. I don't know any more than that. If you would like to see how it all fitted, have a look at the dedicated thread on the forum.

Top of Page

 Bit of spring cleaning coming

Dates to remember:

• Sunday 7th March
• Saturday 13th March
• Sunday 21st March

These are the dates for the work parties. Each day starts at 9.30 but people can drop in when they can. Please bring usual tools and work clothes.
There's plenty to do and not always strenuous work. This year, we're focussing on the Topper racks against the annexe building. We're also building bicycle stands in the main compound and there is of course general tidying up all round.
It's a good way to catch up with friends we haven't seen for a few months. There's also tea and coffee and biscuits. Do turn up!

Top of Page

 Early season events

Not long to wait until the start of the season! The Calendar 2010 is now available on this site. It shows "version 5" but it is pretty much finalised.

As you can see, even before the official start of the season, we have a training day planned for the Fevas. Lancing SC Fevas are going to take part in the Nationals at Hayling Island at the end of May and the club wants to help the LSC participants with a bit of practice beforehand.

 Instructors' workshop at Hayling Island

Another early season event is also on the 27th March. On that day, the RYA welcomes all Instructors to a workshop. "This is open to all Dinghy, Powerboat and Windsurfing Instructors or above and is an excellent day of updates, workshops, inspiration for the season ahead and of course getting out on the water - with major manufacturers represented and kit for you to try!". For £10, it sounds like an excellent day out!
Because we're benefitting from RYA coaching this year, we need to send instructors to this event to represent the club. If your certificate has lapsed but you'd like to go, please let me know on 01273 703512. To book a place, please fill in the BOOKING FORM and let me know you're going! A dedicated thread is also open on the forum.

Top of Page

 Help always welcome

With the new season approching fast, the committees are putting the final touches to their plans for 2010. Being a members only club, Lancing Sailing Club relies entirely on the goodwill of its volunteers. Over the years, this goodwill has produced tremendous results, as we will be able to remember during this special anniversary year.

However, there's always a need for a few more people to come and help. For the moment, we are short of people on the social committee. It doesn't mean an awful lot of work or huge commitments. The social committee organises about eight events a year and needs people to run these events. During the year, there are a few times where the whole social committee gets involved in preparing the day: the Dinner & Dance is a prime example. If you feel you can help, you will be welcome! Contact Jim Powell or John Taylor, thank you!

If you have looked at the calendar for this season, you will have noticed that quite a few Saturdays are earmarked for training. Following a poll on the forum and in the club last year, the sailing committee gives all of us the opportunity to benefit from training in one form or another. Of course, the level of help is paramount and, with everyone giving a hand, we can no doubt come up with a very successful training season!

Top of Page

 Cycle ride on Good Friday

It simply CANNOT be as wet as it was last year...
This year, the annual bike ride will happen on 2nd April (Good Friday). After trying to find a suitable route, we have finally decided that where we went last year wasn't so bad.

So, it's a meeting in Bramber Castle car park at 10am, a ride along the Downs Link to Southwater Country Park and a stop there for lunch before heading back south. Last year, all of us (22 and a dog) were soaked but still managed to have a great time! We cycled the same route again in September in glorious sunshine, just to prove that it doesn't always rain.

It's a 25 miles round trip on the Downs Link (flat, offroad with a couple of short distances on the road, easy and safe for everyone). We're stopping in Southwater for lunch and enjoy the scenery. If you fancy joining us, please let me know on 01273 703512 or by email isa.j@ntlworld.com. See you there!

Top of Page

 Dinner Dance 2010, great vintage

Everybody who was there agreed: the Dinner & Dance location this year was brilliant. The Windsor Hotel gave us a warm welcome, the food was very nice and the music was fun.
We all need to give a great big thanks to Jim and Hannah Powell, who were very busy putting together this great party. Guest speaker David Henshall entertained us with his recollections of sailing on the south coast, as well as disclosing funny gossip about old friends, eh Tony...

Talking about Tony, he conducted the evening as Toastmaster, mixing serious and humour with his usual brio. After the prizegiving, everyone clutched their tombola tickets, hoping to win the chocolates, wines or sailing gear. The final part of the evening was a bit more energetic and many of us had great fun on the dance floor. A photo-gallery is now on this site, have a look!

Jim and Hannah had very positive feedback from all the guests but we are now trying to pinpoint the best time for this event. I have started a poll on the forum asking for your opinion: should the Dinner & Dance stay in February every year or should it go back to November, as it used to be? Answers on the forum but remember you need to be logged on to cast your vote, thanks!

Top of Page

 Lancing Sailing Club on Facebook

If you are a member of the social networking website Facebook, you can join the Lancing Sailing Club group. You don't need to be a LSC member to join the group, it's open to everyone. You get invites to parties and social events.
You can also upload your sailing photos for everyone to see. Scroll the list of group members and add them as your friends!

Top of Page