Happy new year to everyone! There is lots of important news to update you with, so please read on.
Balustrade
If you have been up to the club recently you can’t have failed to notice that progress on the balustrade has come to a halt.
Unfortunately we were advised a week or so ago that the firm contracted to undertake the work had ceased trading and that an independent insolvency practitioner would be appointed to determine its future. We cannot be sure just yet how this will play out, but clearly completion of the project will be further delayed and it is highly likely that we will suffer some financial loss.
The better news is that we have already lined up another contractor to pick up the remaining build and expect work to restart before the end of this month, completing during February
“Pay and Play” coordinator required
The club is looking for a member who’s keen to get a bit more involved in the running of our activities by becoming the co-ordinator of our Pay & Play (P&P) scheme.
For those unfamiliar with P&P, some info is on the club website here
P&P is a scheme the club set up many years ago. It’s an informal, flexible way to offer taster sessions to people interested in finding out more about the sport (and joining the club!) and also to offer current, but inexperienced or lapsed, sailors a way to refresh skills or try new ones. By far the greater number of requests is emailed in from non-members keen to see the club and taste what the sport has to offer.
Any keen member (sailing or non sailing ) could fulfil this role.
If you could potentially spare some time to become involved and co-ordinate this scheme, please drop me a message here to discuss in more detail
Dave Orme
Chief Dinghy Instructor
Duties Update Jan 2026
The duty roster is now live until the end of June. I will start allocating April duties shortly, so if you want to select your duty date for the period April to June 2026, now is a good time to do so by volunteering via Dutyman. Please only volunteer for Rescue Helm if you are a club approved Rescue Helm.
The current requirement is 2 1/2 duties per membership year (April to March) so if you are doing 3 duties this year (2025/26) you will probably only have 2 duties next year (2026/27). Similarly, if you only doing 2 duties in the current year (2025/26), you will need to do 3 duties next year. (202/27)
If you are planning on leaving the club at the end of the current membership year (April 2026), please let the membership secretary and myself know, so that we don’t allocate you a duty after March 2026. If you are leaving, you are still obliged to undertake allocated duties in the current membership year (2025/26).
Thank you
Mark Dinwoodie
Duties Secretary
duties@chewvalleysailing.org.uk
RYA Powerboats and First Aid Courses
On Saturday 28th February 2026 we have a RYA first aid course at the club. Places still available. Still only £30. Please book via your Webcollect account, any questions please ask Jeff via my new club email
chief-powerboat-instructor@chewvalleysailing.org.uk
The PB2 courses for 2026 are now also on Webcollect so please book via your Webcollect account, only requirements are you need to be a club member and over 16. Any questions please ask at the email address above. ARHSC dates coming soon.
Breakfast at the Lake
Avon and Somerset Police Sailing Section invite members of CVLSC and NARPO members to join them for a breakfast on Wednesday 25-Feb-26
Venue is Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club, Walley Court Road, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XN.
Time: 10:00
Full details and how to book can be found in the event poster available Here
Sailing Update
by James Williams
Sailing Limits
Please can we remind all members to keep within the bounds of the sailing area agreed with Bristol Water. We are seeing boats increasingly go round the corner from Woodford Lodge (this also presents a safety issue as you cannot then be seen from the clubhouse) and beyond the limit at the Southern end of the lake.
It is likely that Bristol Water will replace the limits with new marker boys over the coming year but in the meantime, if you are uncertain where sailing is allowed, please familiarise yourself with the allowed area marked here
Members’ Travels
As ever, winter is quiet for travelling members. The only report to share this month is for Ollie Houseman’s trip to Queen Mary SC with his National 18 (pictured at the event below) to take part in the prestigious Bloody Mary pursuit race where he finished 46th out of over 120 other boats.
As ever this year, if you have an event or venture you would like to share, please do let me know!
Andy Jones
Commodore