Dear Club members,
We are Fortunate,
Covid-19 has been a bind for all club members; however, we also need to count our blessings and in hindsight I feel in some ways it has been of benefit to the club. We have found out things that would not have come to light if we had not had the lock-down.
In commissioning the club, we found that the beer cellar/store room needed refurbishment to bring it up to modern standards. The commissioning routines for Legionella precautions highlighted a leak in the Gents showers. In the Galley there was a fault in the stainless-steel Air Extraction System liners for the extractor fan. New fabrications and lining have significantly improved the hygiene level of the extractor system and reduced fire risk. The Galley and beer cellar will be completed before we open up and solutions to the gent’s showers are being considered. We may have a stopgap until winter time when we can plan for a major refurbishment to bring us up to current standards.
If we had not been locked down, we may never have found these major issues for some time.
The refurbishment has meant that we had to empty the store and the many years of collected, unused, long lost and forgotten items. Much of which we need to move on.
We are also cleaning all the clubhouse from top to bottom. As we currently have no income, we are relying upon volunteers in socially isolated work groups to ensure we put no one at risk and adhere to the government and RYA requirements. We will have full records of the cleaning and all the details to prove to the authorities cleaning had been carried out to the highest standards.
In the plans for opening up we have a conundrum. Many of our members are in the “at Risk” category through medical condition or age. Others have “At risk” relations who they are caring for and as such are reticent to put their loved ones at risk.
We will be having a dedicated attendance regime and, in this way, we hope to provide an open club for all people and it will include specific precautions which follow Government Guidelines with probably a one-way entry and departure system.
For this reason, I would ask you all to operate the regime set up for managing the club space out of consideration and respect for your fellow club members. Please follow the system we install.
We plan to open up the club and sailing as soon as possible, however the situation is fluid with guidance and legal aspects changing and being clarified on a daily basis.
Bob Bennett has decided he would like to step down from being the Designated Premises Supervisor for our bar license which he has faithfully carried out for many years. We are deeply appreciative to him for operating in this position, facilitating and overseeing the operation of the bar. A heart- felt thanks goes to Bob from all the membership. We are organising a replacement Supervisor so we can legally open up the bar again. Adnams still have a number of staff furloughed and are getting up to speed for normal production. Supply is expected to be difficult in the short and medium term. For these reasons, it is probable we will not be opening up until after the 18th July at the earliest and then only for limited periods. Our aim is to open the club as soon as financially viable and will keep you fully informed of changes and definite dates through the Newsletters.
When we open up, we will need to rely upon club member volunteers to help run and manage the club facilities and services. If you are willing to help then please email volunteer@ffsc.co.uk and offer the service you feel you are able to provide.
In the meantime, Let’s pull together and look forward to a new and bright future for FFSC, opening up the club and sailing as soon as practically possible.
Alan Rutterford
Chairman FFSC General Committee
If you wish to help in the deep clean work parties, please contact our COVID-19 Committee on volunteer@ffsc.co.uk with your details. Many thanks to those that have already helped and offered.
Christmas Club
We understand from Colin Ablitt some members are perplexed that the Christmas club has closed. On terminating the contract with Seajaya (Colin Ablitt), we (FFSC) did have some enquiries about the Christmas Club. On mentioning this Colin Ablitt informed us that it was nothing to do with FFSC and that it was solely run and managed by him. He has informed us that he is in the process of contacting the members and returning the Christmas Club monies.
Members stories
Dave White’s Squib story
Many thanks for our contributors so far. Please keep them coming:
Please reply to this email with your words and photos.
Or you could record a Video of yourself telling your stories. Whoop whoop!
For sale – Antique Children’s Building Blocks
We found these in the club and would like to sell them. We understand they are worth in the region of £50.00. If anyone is interested in purchasing them then please reply to this email.
If there are no takers by next Wednesday, we shall offer on Ebay or Facebook marketplace.
Club shop
Are you looking for a nice birthday present for the sailor/boat person in your life? Percentage of the profits go to the club!
RYA and reference Book Loan
Coming soon….
Stay safe and well
Enjoy your sailing!
Jane B & Jane W
|
