Text | Link
13st February 2015 


Greetings! 

Firstly, apologies for the late arrival of this months newsletter. I thought I had set it up to go but unfortunately I was mistaken! 

 

Thanks to those of you that have paid your membership fees for 2015. Collecting them is not our favourite job, and it helps a lot if everybody pays promptly.

 

Our first social event on the year will take place on Friday 20th
February when will will be hosting drinks in the the snug at Brentford Dock followed by a meal at the Thames Restaurant, in Brentford. Everybody is welcome, and it a great opportunity for new members and berth holders to get to know a few people.

Is anybody interested in doing a Day Skipper theory course or VHF course? if so please let me know so I can put you in touch with other interested parties.

Finally, in honour of the late great Derek Jones, I would like to re-introduce the annual BCC photo competition. Members will be invited to submit photos taken throughout 2015 and winners will be announced and prizes awareded at the 2015 Christmas Party.  Please get snapping!
 
Best wishes

 

Andrew Kirkwood
Commodore

New Year Cruise

The weather for the New Year cruise kept us guessing until the last minute. I started the day by having to scrape the ice off Hebe III, and but the time we were read to leave at about 10.30am, it was starting to rain!

 

Fortunately, the rain was short-lived and the sun started to make brief appearances as Hebe, C Sharp and Wanderer made their way upriver towards Teddington. We were pleased to welcome Scott, Deborah and Andrew, Gill, Carmel and Leo, Mary and Andrew, all joining us for their first BCC cruise.

 

After a quick lunch at the Anglers, we made our way back for 2pm, although with river levels significantly higher than predicted, we need not have rushed.

  

New Year cruise 15

New Year cruise 15-2


Time The Environment Agency sold licences on-line?  

Clive Evans writes...

As a result of writing to the Environment Agency to complain about the cumbersome process involved in getting through Teddington lock for a short visit to the Non-tidal Thames, I was invited to a planning meeting last week. It would seem that the EA has been given some money by Central Government to investigate 'smart' ways of doing admin, and the Licensing process is one they are looking at.

 

Most of the people at this meeting were representing User groups along the Thames, ie the people who moor their boats there, and pay an annual fee. There were two of us who just wanted an occasional visit up stream. It soon became clear that our needs were different from the regulars, who mostly wanted some online access to the information about their boats, and the ability to update it, among other things. They weren't too unhappy about the annual registration process.

 

By contrast, we visitors were totally unhappy about the process of buying a short-term registration, and wanted to be able to do it not just online, but from our mobile phones as we approached Teddington lock. In other words as easily as one can buy a train ticket. It remains to be seen whether this project will be taken forward, but at least the EA is aware of our frustrations.

 

Environment Agency Annual Report 

 


Coming Up

Friday 20th February - Drinks in the Snug then on to The Thames Restaurant

Join us from 6pm for drinks in the snug followed by supper at the Thames Restaurant in Brentford which is an eat-all-you-like Asian cuisine buffet style restaurant, with a set price of �15.95 per person + drinks. We plan to get to the restaurant for 7.30pm if you would prefer to meet us there. It's useful to have an idea of numbers, so please RSVP if you plan to come along. Everybody is invited, berth holders, new members, old members etc so it's a great opportunity for everybody to get to know each other.

The Thames Restaurant

[email protected]
Please renew your membership
Membership this year is �20, and covers the cost of running the website and newsletters. Our membership year runs from 1st January to 31st December and payment by the end of February would be appreciated.

Your subs may be paid by cheque which should be sent to the Treasurer, Christine Peppiatt, 30 Orchard Road, Brentford, Middx TW8 0QX. Alternatively, you can pay by BACS to account number 50198811 sort code 20 72 17. Attached below is a membership application and renewals form. Please complete this and send it with your cheque or e mail it to Christine if paying on line.

Please pay your membership as soon as possible so that you can be included on the membership list and continue to receive notice of events.

Quick Links
PLA Tide Tables 
River Conditions

    Brentford Cruising Club | |  [email protected]   | http://www.brentfordcruisingclub.co.uk



,