Ribble Cruising Club Special Arrangements due to COVID-19
We are indeed living in unprecedented times.
Just a couple of weeks ago I was looking forward to the new sailing season with enthusiasm, the club’s committees had planned an exciting programme of sailing and social activities.
Attached you will find your 2020 handbook with a packed programme of activities and a Newsletter with, amongst other things, a message from me endorsing the activities.
How much has changed in a fortnight.
I’m still looking forward to the new sailing season however as a result of the latest advice given by the UK Prime Minister, backed by the Chief Medical and Scientific Officers, our plans have had to be reviewed by the Main Committee and severely curtailed for an indefinite period.
This means that the clubhouse is now closed and there will be no group activities taking place there. All social, training and dinghy sailing activities are cancelled until further notice. The club’s committees will however continue to meet on a ‘virtual’ basis to maintain the management of the club.
Whilst the dock itself will remain open, so that members can continue to maintain and access their boats, the facilities, except for the toilet, will be closed. Launching and recovery will continue as normal, please contact the usual Dock Committee members to organise this. Notices will be posted to advise of the new temporary procedures in case of emergency.
All the social activities at the clubhouse are unfortunately cancelled in the short term, regrettably this means the Last Tuesday Talks as well as the bar being closed, so the clubhouse is not available for any bookings.
There will be no organised club sailing at Fairhaven Lake until further notice this year and we’ve decided and been advised by the RYA to cancel the ‘Try Sailing’ in May.
On a slightly positive note we may attempt to go ahead with the proposed 70th birthday party and barbeque planned at the dock for Midsummer’s eve, albeit in a slightly modified format. We may all need some sort of relief by then!
Ribble Cruising Club’s Facebook Group is the place to keep in touch with any club gossip and changes to the present situation. Notices will also periodically be posted on the website advising of any changes in circumstances.
Captain Barnacle
