Hi everybody.  Yesterday we had the Eyott AGM and it was great to see so many of you there.  At the end of this brief piece I have added my Commodores statement which I read at the meeting.  Hopefully your all making good progress in being prepared for the new season which as I write this is only just under seven weeks away.  Don't forget the Social events mentioned in my report and hopefully I see you all soon.


Bob Ettershank
Commodore

Commodores Report 2008

Firstly I would like to thank all those members of the club and the committee who have supported me and therefore the club through 2008. Also individual thanks go to three members of the 2008 committee who are standing down today. Thank you Derek, Jeremy and not least Anita for there work and support over the last two years. It was very much appreciated.

As I was going to mention at the laying up supper (But Derek did a wonderful job in my absence) that the weather for 2008 wasn’t great, again. We did however manage to successfully complete the Widdy Wid. We had very little wind in the morning for the outward leg but a nice breeze in the afternoon to get us back up the river. Regrettably we did however revert to custom in 2008 and lost the Eyott Plate to Up River in spectacularly style. Here’s hoping for a better result in 2009

During 2008 we introduced two new races and the new Consolation series. The Peter Dale and Kaye Darby races where very well supported with 29 entries between them. Both races’s had very light winds and in Kaye’s race we didn’t really have any at all. Still at least we had two great days at the club to remember these dear departed friends.

As for the Consolation Series, Congratulations to Robyn Hadley for being the first winner. I’m sure this new trophy will be fought over very keenly in the years to come. Also I would like to extend the thanks of the club to Idris for donating the trophy.

In 2008 we had 353 boat starts compared to 378 in 2007. That’s a disappointing 6.6 % decrease on 2007. Once again I have put my order in for better weather next year. After all after the cold weather we have had in December and January surely we should be in for some good weather during the forthcoming sailing season.

At the end of 2008 we had 50 members. During the year we gained 4 new memberships and lost 5. I would like to welcome Mr & Mrs Brian Stewart, Mr & Mrs Ray Miles, Mr & Mrs Andrew Dodd and children as well as the South Woodham Ferrers branch of the Air Training Corps to the ranks of the Eyott family.