RYA NW November monthly Newsletter

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The following is an extract of the Hon Sec’s report at the recent AGM, and may give readers some insight into the work of the Region for boaters and clubs.

Committee: Christopher Loney (a member of Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club), Paul Harkness (Lake District Boat Club) and Ben Williams (Worsley Cruising Club) have joined the Committee over the last year, helping us ensure representation from all aspects of boating within our Region. The Committee meets at approximately 2-monthly intervals.

Committee on the Road: This year we visited Clubs around the Region for our meetings. So in April we went to Bassenthwaite SC and invited representatives of Cumbrian clubs to come. In July, we went to Elton SC and invited clubs within Greater Manchester and East Lancashire to join us. Finally, in September we visited Royal Mersey YC and encouraged Wirral and West Cheshire clubs to attend. The purpose was to make clubs more aware of matters discussed by your Regional Committee and then let us hear about issues affecting the clubs which attended. We believe this has been valuable and will continue next year.

Clubs: This has not been an easy year for the 82 Clubs in our Region. The economic climate has affected all. Burwain and Elton clubs have had to cope with loss of water at their reservoirs and been helped by neighbouring clubs. The uncertainty at Crosby seems to have settled after Sefton Council reneged on its agreement with the Greenbank disabled charity. This is now the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, which will have a formal Royal opening very soon. West Kirby’s marine lake was also emptied for repairs and, while the Sailing Club’s situation is satisfactory, we have concerns over Wirral Council’s proposals for the Water Sports Centre at the north end of the Lake, with an adjacent hotel plan. The basis of concern is the lack of consultation by Councils with the governing bodies of sport. When Clubs become aware of local problems, I suggest that the first port of call is the local council’s sports development office and then the regional RYA. The sooner that we become aware of problems, potential or otherwise, the better we are able to assist. Some Clubs have also been sent revised water rate charges including fees for land drainage and run-off water by United Utilities. This has recently been in the political spotlight and Government promises to introduce legislation to prevent this charge being made to amateur sports clubs etc.

Coastal Affairs: It has been a little quieter on new offshore developments this year, though there was relief that the Cirrus Shell Flats Array plan was withdrawn. Gas storage and the effects of pipelines across Morecambe Bay remain a cause of some concern. We seek to keep in touch by attending groups such as the Morecambe Bay Partnership annual conference where there is a useful interchange of information. Changes to the plans for the proposed marina in Barrow and other projects on the Cumbrian coast are of significant interest. The Region held a successful Cruising Conference.

Inland Waterways: One unusual consultation paper that we received related to the passage of inland waterway boats across the River Mersey from the new Liverpool Pierhead to access canals on the south side of the river.

Achievements: Most here will know that this Region, and other northern regions, really are the powerhouse of competitive sailing in this country though the action is usually down south! We have many champions again at World and National level. We also have several members of RYA Olympic squads fighting to represent this country at Weymouth in 2012. At the risk of missing out some individuals who should be named, I will mention West Kirby SC’s win at the Youth Team Racing Championship. Then there are our National Championship winners: Mike Hart and Sally Kilpatrick in the Laser 2000, Matt Mee and Chris Robinson in the GP 14, with Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe as runners up. But our stars must be Niki Birrell in the Skud 18 winning the Disabled Worlds, Luke Patience (a Scot) with Stuart Bithell coming good in the 470, plus Matt Mee, Ian Dobson, Jonny McGovern and Christian Birrell.

Anyone who missed the AGM and who would like to find out more about the matters discussed may contact the Hon Sec, Graham Knox.

CRUISING

NEW MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT – RYA PROTECTS BOATERS’ INTERESTS

The RYA welcomes the groundbreaking Marine and Coastal Access Act which received Royal Assent on Thursday 12 November.

Gus Lewis RYA Head of Legal and Government Affairs: “Although we supported the Marine and Coastal Access Bill in principle we proposed a number of amendments on which we lobbied members of the House of the Lords to put forward to the House. The majority of our amendments were taken account of and as such we are very pleased with the resulting Act. It goes further in protecting and taking account of recreational boaters’ interests than the draft Bill had done.

“It’s been a lot of work over the past 4 years; with extensive lobbying and recommendations made to key DEFRA officials but it has paid off.”



The Act aims to create a strategic marine planning system based firmly on sustainable development principles. Its journey started in 2001 when the Government made a commitment to improve marine conservation.
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If you would like to be added to the circulation list, please send your e mail address to jgraham.knox “at” virgin.net.

The newsletter may also be viewed on the RYA NW website, at http://www.rya-northwest.org.uk .

RYA NW contacts

Chairman; David Williamson dwilliamson ”at”rya-online.net

Secretary; Graham Knox 01706 642311 jgraham.knox ”at”virgin.net

High Performance Manager for North and West; Chris Blackburn 07909 994637 chris.blackburn ”at”rya.org.uk

Regional Development Officer; Sally Kilpatrick 07747 534527 sally.kilpatrick ”at”rya.org.uk

OnBoard Development Officer; Adam McGovern Adam.McGovern “at” Rochdale.gov.uk

OnBoard Development Officer – Cheshire & Merseyside: Luke Shaw – luke.shaw “at” wksc.org.uk

Training Forum; Dave Woodhead, 01257 265208 david.woodhead3 “at” virgin.net

Regional Race Management Adviser; Adrian Stoggall 01625 871579 stoggall “at” zetnet.co.uk

Regional Rules Adviser; Peter Johnson 0151 625 9878 mq22 “at” liv.ac.uk

T15 Competition Organiser; Mike Roberts 0161 904 0212 miker.team15 “at” googlemail.com

Sailability; Ian Shirra 07749 012414 ian “at” shirra.fsnet.co.uk

Communications; Alan Henderson 01292 281383 alanhe “at” tiscali.co.uk

Web addresses for further information;

RYA NW http://www.rya-northwest.org.uk OnBoard; http://www.ruob.co.uk

RYA HQ http://www.rya.org.uk or tel 0845 345 0400 Team 15; http://www.team15.org.uk