We began to notice the new weed in August but it took some while to identify it. Thanks to the assistance of club member Andy Allen we eventually did so in September by which time it was beginning to die off and drift to the surface. It is Zannichellia or Horned Pondweed and looks like stringy couch grass and, although when growing it never quite reached the surface, it was sufficiently long for us to have to suspend first RM sailing and subsequently IOM sailing and substitute RA sailing for these events. On Andy Allen’s advice and after a lot of searching for a supplier, we purchased a manually operated chain scythe as shown below.
The device has a 27foot cutting length comprising nine 3ft lengths of
twisted steel blade serrated on both sides joined together by swivel connections with
heavy duty chain at either end. Thus far, we have not had to use it and it seems that,
having raked out the weed which drifted to the sides of the lake, the problem is now over
for this year – at least we now have the means to deal with the problem if or when it
recurs next summer. As a precaution, we asked Eastbourne club to take over hosting the
District IOM ranking races on the 4th and 5th October which they
kindly did – just as well since the weed only finally disappeared that weekend.
Although our club sailing programme has been disrupted recently, a number of skippers have been doing us proud in open events. In the IOM Veterans National event, Dave Andrews achieved a very creditable 2nd place with Dennis Moss taking 6th place. Peter Constable won the IOM Trafalgar Cup event at Woking and Terry Colson achieved an excellent 4th place overall in the RA PRACC series – well done to all of them.
The Treasurer (ie me!) has now completed the accounts for the year ending 31st July 2008 and these have now been audited in preparation for the AGM on the 16th November. The agenda for this meeting together with a copy of the audited accounts and last year’s AGM minutes will be sent to all members shortly, either by e-mail if we have your e-mail address or by post. We would urge as many members as possible to attend the AGM (which begins at 10.30am) – it is your best opportunity to influence the progress of the club in the coming year. There will be IOM racing afterwards, and if you have any boating bits surplus to your requirements, bring them along to sell!
During the last three months we have been very pleased to welcome Brian Coatsworth, Simon Jeffs and Tim Nice (all members of Woking) as new members – we extend a warm welcome to them and hope they enjoy their sailing with us.
