. "Welcome to the second edition of Brief Breezes.Just because it is winter this does not mean that there has been nothing going on at the club and there is plenty below to get your teeth into. We have various requests for help and advice within this issue so please do not hold back and if you have the skills, we would appreciate it if you could help other members and the club so that we can continue to offer a great venue for our members.Featured this month :Click the Topic to navigate to the relevant section or just scroll downWeather reportImprovements going on at the clubNew DatabaseWeekend ManagerRacing NewsForthcoming EventsDinghy Show TicketsCrewing OpportunitiesMembership renewal - a gentle reminderA gentle reminder that your membership is due for renewal by the end of January. If you have already renewed we thank you for your promptness, but if you haven't, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that there is a late renewal fee added if renewal is received after 31st January 2010. If you have lost or did not receive your renewal form through the post before Christmas pleasecontact Patin the office as a matter of urgency. tel: 0118 930 3604Weather taken its tollThough beautiful, the weather has taken its toll on the clubs sailing activities. Over the last month we have only managed to sail twice and though the Christmas series started in beautiful sunshine the following day the lake had completely frozen over. The Burghfield Icicle, due to run on Boxing day, needless to say did not happen, but a brief respite in the cold conditions did allow us to sail on 3rd January. Since then the lake has been heavily, though not completely, frozen.Click on the image for a link to the website where there are various images of the club during the recent cold spell.Club Improvements:Essential MaintenanceThe end wall of the club has for a number of years been getting into a sorry state. This wall has taken the brunt of the weather since the clubhouse was first built and it is now in desperate need of a new layer of render. As soon as the weather is conducive to undertaking the project we will strip away the existing render and renew it. As part of the project we will also be repainting the external walls of the club as a whole.We are hoping to get a weather window to undertake this essential project as early as possible, but most likely in March.Front Door UpgradeAnother project for the near future is to replace the front doors. Though the doors have served us well we have been unable, due to their design, to fit the security improvements that we would like to have to them. When they are replaced, the coded entry will be upgraded to match the system in operation in the changing areas. This will allow members both one handed entry (much easier when carrying kit) and key fob entry (if you have requested a key fob swipe). We are currently researching the best type of doors to fit, but as soon as a decision has been made the project will be undertaken.Balcony MaintenanceSome may have noticed, others may not, but there are a number of screw heads popping out of the balcony flooring at present and so a further project for the start of this year is to ascertain how we might be able to solve this problem. We hope that it will not involve completely stripping the balcony of timber as this will be a large undertaking, but whatever the solution, it is again a very necessary maintenance project which will be completed in the coming months.These are not the only improvements being made this year as there are several others under discussion at present and as they are finalised they will be published. Don't forget that if you have any ideas of what you would like to see improved upon in the future, let the committees know as the more feedback they receive, the more the membership will benefit.contact usNew Database - a call for helpThis year we are planning to complete upgrade to the club's database to make it both more user friendly and expandable. The club currently has a database written in Access and we are looking at both recreating it in this format and switching to Filemaker as it seems to have a greater degree of depth and flexibility. If you are proficient at writing databases in either of these formats and would be willing to help the club out then please get in contact with Pat in the office using the following link:Contact Club ManagerSituations VacantWeekend Manager required:The club is currently seeking a newWeekend Managerto help the day to day running over the busy weekends. This is a paid position and includes a wide variety of responsibilities, ideally suiting someone who loves sailing and is enthusiastic about Burghfield SC.The position has flexible working hours and the main aim is to provide both support to weekend sailing activities and be a front end to prospective new members. For a more detailed job specclick here. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contactPat in the Office.- -0118 930 3604Closing date for applications beginning of FebruaryPublicity OfficerThe committee is also seeking a new Publicity Officer to follow on the fantastic work that Nigel Milligan undertook last year. Nigel unfortunately had to resign due to work commitments. The position is a voluntary role and as part of the Main committee you would join the dedicated team who help to make Burghfield the great club that it is. Responsibilities are varied but could include:advertising events and submitting reports to both local and sailing pressplanning campaigns to improve BSC's visibility within both the local community and nationallydesigning and implementing supporting documentation (handbook/advertising media)meeting monthly with the committee to discuss ways forwardObviously the role is flexible and would suit a variety of people. If you are interested but feel you do not have all the skills, please get in contact with me and we can discuss how the role could be adapted to suit your skills.Jeremy (Commodore)" "Interested in Web Design?Ian Bullock has been running our website since 2006 and has developed it into the hive of information that we have today. After such a long and extended period of web management he is now looking to pass the mantle onto a group of members who can help maintain it.If you are interested in web design and would like to get involved with helping run the club's site, please get in contact with me. The aim is to have a transitional period over this year before Ian finally steps down. A knowledge of PHP would be advantageous though not necessarily a requirement.Jeremy (Commodore)" Racing News In this section of the newsletter we have various small articles provided by the fleet captains or just keen sailors so if you have something to say about sailing in general or racing specifically that you would like to share with the members then please contact the editor :submit your article. "Laser 2000- a Review of 2009One of the largest 2-person fleets at Burghfield is the Laser 2000. This year, as well as seeing an increase in the numbers sailing in the Admirals Club, there have also been more boats out on the water for the Sunday racing.At the same time, the club has been well represented on the Open Meeting circuit (where there are regularly over 30 Laser 2000's to race against). Chris and Gill Jordan, sailing Blue-it, finished 7th at the National Championships (out of 83 boats), 3rd at the Inland Championships and finished 3rd overall in the Millennium Series traveller events. Supporting them on the circuit were Mark Wilkes and Falco, sailing Elle Four, who won the Millennium Series Endeavour Trophy.If you have a Laser 2000 why not join in on a Sunday, or take the boat to an Open Meeting? Everyone who sails at an Open seems to have a great time, learns a lot, and always wants to come back for more.Chris Jordan- Laser 2000 & Merlin Rocket" "Christmas Series ReportThe Christmas series which has over the past couple of years turned into a very entertaining event, this year was marred by the weather. It started in earnest on the 20th December, with snow on the ground (unknowingly giving us all a slight indication of things to come) but with a clear blue sky. As has now become tradition, the racing was started from the balcony with the first mark being 'mark W' up past the Oppie training area.With a very healthy turnout of boats, considering the air temperature, the fleet was split into two groups to make the start a little less challenging. There was a very strong turnout of youth members, which was great to see, with both the Toppers, and the 420's, not to mention the occasional Laser 4.7 making the most of the challenging temperatures. Coming off the startline was, as ever in club racing, a busy moment but all bar a couple of Blazes managed to negotiate the narrow channel up to mark W without incident. The morning course was set as a long windward / leeward course giving plenty of opportunity for tactical gains to be made. The wind varied in strength throughout the day but allowed for some great sailing conditions and we have the greatest sympathy for those who endured the inevitable capsizes!Unfortunately this was to be the one and only day where sailing was possible over the Christmas series and though racing did take place on the 3rd January (start of the aptly named Frostbite Series) there are now many members champing at the bit to get back on the water. It is hoped that racing will resume on Sunday 24th January.Though there were plans afoot (and a certain amount of DIY going on) to make the most of the frozen lake with a little bit of Ice Yachting, the lake never completely froze and so the activity was put on hold. Leigh & Lowton SC were (possibly) more fortunate and managed to have a little fun - Click thislinkto see why!" Prepare for the new seasonDon't leave it too late- prepare for the new sailing season. Remember we have our very on-site chandler. Andy and Virginia can get you virtualy any sailing related product you might require so bear them in mind. If you have any specific requests then don't hesitate to contact them or just drop by on a Sunday. You can also arrange to meet them at the club at any time by just mailing or phoning them.07831 618529e-mail:Mayday Chandlery Forthcoming Events:The brief spell of quiet activity is almost over at the Club and there are various events coming in the not too distant future to be aware of. Unfortunately the ice has put paid to the resumption of the Blaze 6-pack and the first of the OK winter events due to be run. There are however dates planned for both classes and the National 12's are due to return to their series on the 24th January alongside the Blaze 6-pack.Blaze 6-pack - 24th & 31st Jan- Small number of visitors possibleNational 12 Winter Series - 24th January & 7th February- small number of visitors likelyOptimist Winter Open - 6th February- up to 160 boats expected so no normal sailing will be availableReading University 'Wet Dreams' - University Team racing- 13/14th February-running over both days of the weekend so please be aware that it will be busy on the SundayOK Winter series 2 - 21st February- small number of visitors likely "RYA Dinghy Show 2010 - Alexandra PalaceFor those who have never been to the Dinghy Show before, it is a great day out and really does give you an idea about all things Dinghy related. From new boat designs, latest equipment, information on holidays or anything in between, I would highly recommend the trip to London.If you do plan on going then please ensure that when you purchase your tickets you take the time to state your sailing club on the form as the more people we get entering under the name of Burghfield the greater the chance the Club has of winning some valuable prizes which will benefit the members. For more information either click the image to the right (links directly to the RYA website) or click below for an article from Yachts&Yachting which gives further detail of the competition draw.Dinghy Show Article" "Crewing OpportunitiesAs a new edition to the newsletter there will now be a section each month on crewing opportunities. If you need a crew or even a helm or are wanting to do either, please e-mail the editor and your request will appear in the following newsletter.This month I have a request from Rob Holroyd for a crew. Rob owns two boats:- an Albacore and a very smart new Merlin Rocket wuth all the trimmings! He is looking for a crew to join him in club racing and the occasional open meeting. Ideally someone 11stone, or below,in weight.If you are interested please get in contact with Rob using the following e-mail link:Rob Holroyd" "A note from the EditorI would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who responded to the questionnaire linked to the previous Newsletter back in late November 2009. Your suggestions have all been taken on board by the various committees and we hope to be offering various new initiatives as the season progresses to ensure that you all get the most out of your sailing and really feel part of what is a fantastic club. Apologies if this Newsletter is formatted in a slightly strange manner, I am new to this form of editing and learning as I go. Hopefully you will se an improvement in each Newsletter you receive - but I can't promise it!As ever, if you have any requests please do not hesitate to contact me and I can either put you in contact with the relevant person or help you out myself.Lets look forward to 2010 and hope it gets warmer soon!Jeremy- Editor & Commodore"