News

Sunday 6^th of November saw a very large attendance at the Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club AGM with 119 people signing the attendance sheet. 

The rain of the previous days had abated and the members and Committee gathered in the sunny clubhouse for what turned out to be a very interesting afternoon. 

The chair was taken by the President – Ken Osborne who having welcomed the members then got the meeting under way. 

The Commodore thanked the outgoing Committee members for the work that they had done and welcomed their replacements including myself Sylvia Clamp who is taking over as Press Officer from Carol Carter. 

Other changes to the Committee are: Carol Carter will take over as Hon Secretary from Eddie Ault who is standing down. Eddie will take over the role of Security Officer from David Jones who is also standing down. Norman Payne is standing down as Rear Commodore House  and at the moment this post remains vacant and duties will be covered by other committee members.  Graeme Macdonald is standing down as Sailing Secretary and Simon Hope will take over the post.  Graeme will continue as Hon Treasurer. Martin Noble is standing down as Cruiser Secretary and will be replaced by Mike Clarke. David Eaton is standing down as Dinghy Park Ranger and will be replaced by Basil Messenger. Rachelle Grant will take the second post of Club Auditor joining Dave Parham (existing Club Auditor).  All other roles remain the same. 

The Agenda Item on the proposal to hold an EGM to consider the Club’s restructure to a Limited Company provoked a lively and interesting debate and such was the interest it looked like it could go on well into the evening. The Chairman, however, advised the members that there were still other items on the Agenda to complete and brought it to an end.  The members were invited to vote by secret ballot.   The vote returned 73 for, 26 against with 3 abstainers. The draft AGM Minutes will be posted on the website and club notice board in due course.

At the end of the meeting the eagerly awaited presentation of awards took place and with much audience participation.  The coveted, MRSC Customised, Commemorative Plates were given for long service to the following people: 

Carol Carter – Press Secretary (2002 to 2011)

David Eaton – Dinghy Park Ranger (2005 to 2011)

David Jones – Security Officer (2005 to 2011)

Martin Noble – Cruiser Secretary (2007 to 2011) 

A special presentation, of a crystal decanter was also made to Eddie Ault in recognition of his dedication and hard work for the Club in his role as Club Secretary for 11 years – and to no less than 5 Commodores. 

The Commodore’s Pot was awarded to Jim Palmer for his services to the club, in particular assisting the Commodore in the recent planning applications, discussions with the Environment Agency about the sea wall, master minding the laying of the cement base for the new shed and his hands on approach of getting things done. 

Sylvia Clamp,   MRSC - Press Officer

Nov 2011