RYA-affiliated offshore club and training centre for Reading and the surrounding area
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What’s been happening at ROSC
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ROSC members enjoy Pinewood Raceway evening
4 December 2023
On Monday 4 December fifteen members and their guests visited the Pinewood Raceway for an evening of slot car racing.
The Pinewood track is Berkshire’s only permanent slot car Racing venue and has two tracks but the one we used was the 145ft long 6 lane which was designed and built by Steve Oglivie for 1/24th scale race cars . Without doubt the venue and the organisers provided a professional experience of what is obviously a pastime that is enjoyed by committed enthusiasts .
After a short practice session we were “sorted” into teams of three for a series of Team Races. Each member of the team had a two minute session with a fast relay hand over to the next member of the team. After every 6 minute session the team changed race cars so that each team had experience of using all 6 cars before the evening concluded. While 5 of us were actually racing the other were busy around the track putting the cars back in their slots after some of us got a little too enthusiastic and our cars left the track. On some corners they were kept very busy .
The organiser kept a running commentary of the progress of the individual teams all of which had been given a Car Manufacturers name.
The winning team took the lead from the start. Session 2 saw them drop to third but from then on they took the lead back and stormed to victory Well done team Toyota. One interesting thing looking at the comprehensive results sheet provided by the organisers was that all of the five teams put in their best performance with the green car!!!!!
After the racing we adjourned to the café and bar where we enjoyed some basic but tasty food. The only small issue was that although Jackie had given them a detailed list of our pre-ordered meal options they had prepared insufficient “curry” options but the “chillie” came to the rescue.
Nothing to do with Sailing but an excellent club night.
Laying-up supper "the very best of evenings"
18 November 2023
Half of the club's members together with their guests came along to the flagship event at UTMYC clubhouse - the laying-up supper of 2023. Delicious gourmet food was provided by Kate and her team of helpers and a raffle was run by Lucy. The sad note of the evening was the annoucement by our new Commodore, Jackie, that long-time ROSC member, Maurice Hewitt, had died. Jackie gave a moving tribute to Maurice.
Have a look at our gallery for more pictures of the laying-up supper from this year. (Thank you to John and other members for taking and sharing the photos).
Renewed committee voted in during AGM
6 November 2023
We had a great attendance at this year's AGM. In his Commodore's report, Steve said that the Club had had a good year with a full programme of events. This was followed by an update from Jackie, our Treasurer, which showed a healthy balance of funds. The meeting moved on to the subject of running the Club and it was apparent there is a real will for the Club to continue thriving, so after some discussions the following nominations were forthcoming:-
Club Officers:-
Commodore - Jackie Bignell
Vice Commodore - Mike Bowyer
Honorary Treasurer - Steve Giggs
Honorary Secretary - Graham Martin
Membership Secretary - Marion Arnold
Committee:-
John Haines
Kate Gilbert
Augustine 'OB' O'Brien
Bill Quinton
All of these nominations were formally proposed, seconded and duly elected. This is a great result with a good balance between long-standing and more recent members along with a lot of experience from previous years on the Committee.
The meeting was then closed and was followed by brief yet fascinating presentations from John Haines and Damien Greene.
Day Skipper theory course available to ROSC members starting 13th Jan 2024
30 September 2023
A RYA Day Skipper theory course, being run by a neighbouring club this winter, is being made available to ROSC members. The cost will be £350 including course materials. It will start on Saturday 13 January and run at weekends aiming to conclude mid February. Actual dates will be flexible to suit the candidates. The venue will be Camberley.
Anyone interested in signing up for either course should get in touch.
Autumn Rally 2023
15 - 17 September 2023
Following a long run of poor weekend weather fingers were crossed for a change of fortune for boats and crews intending to gather in Lymington for the Autumn Rally. For once the weather gods obliged with a few days of settled warm, sunny weather and two motorboats and two sailing boats planned to converge on Lymington Yacht Haven for a planned meal at the Mayflower Inn on the Saturday evening.
Inevitably, for 2023, the weather had to have the last word and a forecast of strong adverse winds for the Sunday prompted a quick change of plans. Fortunately, both Lymington Yacht Haven and the Mayflower Inn were most accommodating in allowing the timetable to be brought forward by a day. The Commodore was unable to change his itinerary but the remaining boats, Alenka, Shearwater and Spitfire managed to assemble for pre-dinner drinks aboard Shearwater. These were followed by a very convivial meal at the Mayflower Inn on the Friday evening.
Saturday yielded a warm settled sunny day ideal for the two eastbound motorboats (which like waves rather less than sailing boats) and the singlehanded Spitfire to return to their home moorings in Gosport and Chichester respectively. The Commodore managed to have a weekend of sailing despite not managing to meet up with the rest of the fleet. He did however confirm the wisdom of the other boats returning home a day early, as the forecast proved accurate. Somewhat less than pleasant conditions were encountered on the eastward trip home on the Sunday.
Thanks go to the crew of Shearwater for organising and then re-organising the weekend. Thanks also go to the crew of Alenka for the enjoyable introduction of a couple of “rag and stick” sailors to the “dark side” of motor boating (distances don’t half get covered quickly!)
Overall – a great time had by one and all.
(Photo: Drinks on Shearwater courtesy of John)
Sunshine and members turn up for fabulous end-of-season BBQ
4 September 2023
Not only was there an excellent turnout by ROSC members for the end-of-season BBQ, but the sun was there too to add atmosphere to the event taking place in the riverside garden of our shared club house. The bar was open and kept members watered whilst others kept watch over the BBQ and served up delicious food. Our thanks on behalf of the members to Kate and her trusty helpers for a fabulous evening.
A selection of photos taken by John during the evening is available here. (Thanks, as ever John, for being the club's unofficial official photographer).
Sadly, during the evening our Commodore, Steve, informed us that he's standing down at the AGM in November. The club is on the lookout for a successor to step into Steve's big sailing boots. Any members out there keen to take on this fabulous role?
Tom Cunliffe presents to ROSC from his yacht in the Baltic
26 June 2023
ROSC members were treated to a very interesting Zoom meeting in which the Tom Cunliffe was as informative and entertaining as ever. Tom gave members some insight into the delights of sailing in the Baltic from where he is at the moment. Tom also provided an insightful introduction to his new product, AngelNav. Videos and more information can be found at www.angelnav.co.uk
Sixteen people, four boats and plenty of sunshine turned up for rally to the beautiful Yarmouth harbour and Royal Solent Yacht Club
12 - 14 May 2023
What a fantastic event ROSC's first rally of 2023 was! We had a fabulous turnout, not only from members and guests, but also from the sun, which shone warmly and brightly. The fabulously situated Royal Solent Yacht Club, which served us a delectable supper and plenty of drinks, was our host for the Saturday evening.
Our sincere thanks go to Bernie and Steve for organising a wonderful weekend.
Click here a few photos from the weekend.
ROSC members tramp into 2023
2 January 2023
Over 30 assorted members, guests and dogs tramped into 2023 in the southern Chiltern Hills on a glorious winter's day. Kate and Linda had chosen a wonderful route through woods and open fields and across the lovely Nettlebed estate with stunning views across the countryside. Tim served very welcome mulled wine and stollen halfway round! We finished at the Rising Sun pub in Witheridge Hill for a fine lunch. What a great return to the ROSC winter walk tradition after being unable to do it justice in the pandemic years. Huge thanks to Kate for organising.
Mike Wood tells inspiring story of the Disabled Sailors Association
4 October 2022
Mike Wood brought inspiration and fascination to an almost full house of ROSC members with the story of the Association which he founded. The Association has designed boats for disabled sailors and there are plans in place for more including the Paralympics.
Most successful rally in years
20 to 22 May 2022
Two charter boats and more than a handful of members' boats enjoyed a Solent rally in the sunshine, including a Saturday night dinner at the fantastic Lymington Sailing Club. What a great weekend!