A NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
First of all, let me wish everyone a very belated Happy New Year – Blwyddyn Newydd Dda – if I haven’t already bumped into you so far!
Every time I write a newsletter, I try to strike an optimistic note, but I think on this occasion, I will be justified.
A lot of work has continued on the Charles Henry Ashley during the winter, thanks to the efforts of Norman Mason, Simon Drakley and their wonderful team of volunteers – including Steve Bray, Richard Walton, Alun Pari Huws, Mike Thompson and Paul Beales.
The running rigging has now been replaced, so we have new sheets and halyards. Graham Booth and Steve Bray have rubbed down the masts prior to varnishing, and the boat has been totally repainted inside, leaving just a small repair to be fixed.
The standing rigging, i.e. the lines that hold up the masts, is in good condition and all that remains now is to apply the antifouling prior to launching this spring. China Pete, our tender, has also been repainted.
We haven’t settled on a launching date yet, but it will be in April, before which Dafydd Owen will be doing some work on our boat trailer, and the mooring lines will be replaced along our usual berth in Cemaes Harbour.
We are delighted that Norman’s health continues on an even keel. He has recently had an operation in Bangor and was due for another this week. We wish him all the very best in his recovery.
I’d like to record special thanks to Steve Bray for his persistence and support in helping us to secure The Firs as a storage facility for Charles Henry Ashley. Cemaes Boat Club has now signed a lease with Horizon for use of the building which we will be able to use for future storage and maintenance of the boat. We must also thank Derek Owen, Chairman of Llanbadrig Community Council, who first brought forward the idea of the Firs and who has assisted and advised throughout the whole process. Ifer Gwyn from Horizon (RNLI Lifeboat Crew), always promoted and supported the scheme and Steve Roberts, Horizon Environment Manager, continued to look after the Firs while the negotiations rolled forward over the years. We are really grateful to them all for their help and support.
This means that after the end of this next sailing season, CHA will be moving its winter home from Peibron Farm and I would like to take this occasion to thank Dafydd Owen for his continued support for Cemaes Boat Club over the years.
Look out for news about a very special Cemaes Boat Club event on Friday, 13th May – ‘An Evening With Dilwyn Morgan’ at The Gadlys Hotel.
Dilwyn Morgan is a familiar face and voice on S4C and the radio. His main interests are rugby and sailing, he was born and bred in Bala and became a Gwynedd County Councillor in 2012.
We’re just finalising all the arrangements, but the plan will be to have a meal first and then Dilwyn will entertain us with stories and tales – possibly about his own sailing exploits!
He’s really enthusiastic about the prospect of a sail on Charles Henry Ashley as well. It will be a ticket entry event, so please make a note of the date in your diary and we’ll send out the final details soon. If you didn’t renew your membership last year, then this is your chance to support the CHA and have a great night out at the same time.
Finally, Cemaes Boat Club has purchased some brand new noticeboards that will be located next to the CHA information boards on the Pier and Beach Café. It will mean that we can keep everyone informed about CHA news.
In the meantime, stay safe and well – and we really look forward to seeing you at a future CHA event.
Richard Downs
Chairman
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 15th February at 7.00pm in The Vigour.