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Introduction of the year
 Introction to the yearHow about making 2010 the year you have a go at a few opens at clubs in the North West? It’s one of the best ways to improve, and you will find the atmosphere really friendly with people very willing to offer help and advice. The events are really just an excuse for a social gathering, a chat and to partake in the excellent home made meals provided by many clubs. You will have noticed what we have to eat is an important part of the regular reports in Yachts and Yachting. If you compete in four opens (yes, only 4) then you, and your crew, will qualify for a prize at the end of the year. Last year everyone received polo shirts embroidered with John Berry\'s NW logo. The ladies version was in a delicate shade of pink. This has proved so popular that some of the blokes bought one for themselves. If you want one just E-mail me. The cost without postage is £11. Any additional embroidery will cost £2. As a taster for the season ahead here are a few words on the events up to the end of August. The season starts at Toddbrook SC on 11th April. Toddbrook is a really friendly club set in picturesque surroundings close to the centre of Whaley Bridge. The second meeting of the year will be held the following week at Winsford (18th April). The Winsford open is very popular and regularly attracts sailors from the NE and Midland Areas. In May there are two opens. Both are easy to reach and are in central locations at Pilkington’s (St Helens) and Wigan. Wigan SC hosted the NW Areas in August last year. An excellent event held in great winds and with wonderful hospitality. We could not have asked for more. Sailors from Pilkington\'s were very well represented on the circuit last year, and this paid off in their outstanding performance in the 24 Hour Race. June starts with the only river event on the circuit at Chester. Sailing takes place less than a mile from the city centre, and represents a wonderful shopping opportunity for those not sailing! Later in the month there are two contrasting events, sailing on the sea of Ainsdale for the West Lancs YC Open on the 13 June , and then a week later on Rudyard Lake (20 June) famed for its fabulous clubhouse, tranquil setting and wonderful teas. There is then a gap before the nest two events at Bassenthwaite and Elton. As a reward for hosting the Areas on several occasions, we have designated for the past few years the first weekend of Bassenthwaite Week a NW Top Helm event. The Bassenthwaite open will be held on 31st July- 1st August, and the Elton event on 14th August. Both clubs have had somewhat different watery problems to deal with over the past year. Bassenthwaite suffered to the great flood which caused the lake to overflow and Cockermouth to be devastated. Elton had the opposite problem when British waterways decided that emergency repairs had to be carried out on the dam and the lake was drained. Both clubs are now fully operational. Leigh and Lowton New Years Day Pursuit - Three Enterprises from West Lancs (and Pilkington) finished in the top ten from a 60 boat fleet at the Leigh and Lowton Pursuit on New Years Day. |
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