Principals Short Report on the 2011 Intensive Courses. 
The six Intensive week courses are now finished and that leaves me time to reflect on the year as a whole. As always the youth spaces went very quickly with practically all those in the State School holidays being filled in the first few days of booking. The adult spaces were slower to go but were well subscribed with few spaces not taken up by the start of the courses.

The Senior Instructor situation resolved itself nicely with Kit qualifying outright and Matt, Jo and Dominic qualifying part way through the courses. Kit, therefore ran the first three weeks with the others each taking a week in turn. The fact that we now have four SIs means that we should not have the problem in 2012 which we had this year. The feedback from the students was good and the essential point that the weeks have first to be safe but also great fun, was certainly achieved.

Weather wise we had four good weeks, when we even managed on two occasions to get to Charton Bay, but two weeks that were particularly challenging. These unfortunately were the first and last weeks, but even so a great deal was achieved and under the circumstances I don't think we could have done much more.

Our relationship with the other harbour users was I think better this year than in any other I can remember. Having a group of about fifty people with boats and equipment descending on our small harbour, inevitably impacts on the other users, but care was taken to avoid inconvenience and there appear to have been almost no problems.

Equipment wise everything held up reasonably well apart from the usual inevitable breakages and losses.
The Pico dinghies were used extensively and perhaps we should consider increasing the fleet of them at the expense of some of the Toppers. One of the Lasers was replaced but we do need to consider replacing at least one and probably all three of the remaining ones.

Achievement wise the students mostly achieved their targets and where they did not, were fully aware that they had more to do. Regular communication throughout the courses meant that there was nobody to my knowledge who felt that they had been treated harshly.

In conclusion I have no hesitation in stating that it was a very good summer and I thank all the team for their hard work and enthusiasm. Particularly I would like to thank the SIs who depite being new to the task pulled out all the stops to ensure that their teams worked to produce high standard courses which were great fun for everyone.

                                                                              Chris Joyner. Principal LRSS.  

Issues for 2012


Three issues that need to be considered for 2012 are:-

1. Whether to take one of the break weeks in Lifeboat Week. This is always a very busy week and the premium on space in the harbour area makes our operation and that of the Lifeboat Week organisers difficult. Unless there is a good reason for operating that week I would propose it be a break week.

2. In the past we have taken 8 as the minimum age and on the whole there have not been any problems. In the last week I felt that there were issues which may necessitate a change of policy and a minimum age of 10 is probably a sensible move. The issue is one of the level of the extra measures that are needed with younger students and the detrimental effect that can have on the slightly older students program. I am anxious that we concentrate on what we know we can do well, which is teaching people to sail.

3. We may need to restrict the number of students taking higher stages on some of the courses. One in particular is likely to have a large number of studenst taking Stage 4 which will impact on the Instructor ratios and the number of two hander boats. 


                                                                                                  ***************************    

LYME REGIS SEA SCHOOL

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in the Sailing Club, Lyme Regis,
on Sunday 27th March 2011 at 2.30 p.m.


PRESENT: Chris Joyner (Chairperson & Principal), James Fuller (Treasurer), Ian Spiller (Bosun), Sue Spiller (Hon.Secretary),
Tom Waspe, Josh Coates, Will Roberts, Hilton Davis, Richard Finch, Bob Mercer, Shelagh Mercer, David Beer, and Jeremy White.

1. APOLOGIES: None.

2. MINUTES: The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th March 2010 were presented by Chris Joyner.
As these had previously been posted on the Sea School for all to read they were unanimously agreed and signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING: These will be covered by the Agenda items.
4. PRINCIPALS REPORT:
a) 2010, the fifteenth year of LRSC got off to a very good start with the award of a grant of nearly £10,000 from Sport England for the refurbishment of Rescue 1. This was very much down to the efforts of Hilton Davis who submitted the application. Subsequently this also enabled the joint replacement with LRSC of the engine on Lyme RIB. This now means that with the work that has been done on PJ and the relatively new Big RIB the Club has the best fleet of safety boats that it has ever had.
Other changes of boats included the purchase of two new Pico dinghies and one Laser and the disposal of two Toppers and two old Lasers. The reduction in Toppers and replacement by Picos and reduction by one of Laser numbers better reflects the usage of the fleet. Other acquisitions included another handheld radio, a base set for Rescue 1, rollers for PJ, and more recently a 37” flat screen television which will be of huge benefit when in use during the Intensive Week Courses.

b) On the non sailing side of training we ran two First Aid Courses in January and August. These were run by Tony Wood, and both ran at full capacity with twenty four people attending and some members being from the Gig Club.

Several Powerboat courses were run by Jim Thomas, Richard Finch, and myself and approximately 12 people have qualified.

c) One of the main pushes for the year was to get people recently new to sailing to join the club racing. Three different elements were employed towards this end.
.
A weekend Race Coaching course in April was run by Tony Wood, and Emma from Sail Laser. Four of our sailors took part: Pete,
Jeremy, Joss and Jo Burleigh.

A two day Racing for Beginners course was run and in all 15 people took part. Run by Emma, Tony, and Jen who is the resident Coach at Exe SC.

Subsequently a second RIB was provided on Sunday mornings when required to mentor youth and to give re-assurance to inexperienced racers. Establishing a regular pattern of participation certainly had some success. A number of the younger members of the Instructor Team took part regularly together with some of the adults new to sailing on a number of occasions. Unsuitable weather conditions caused a few problems but this effort needs to be sustained for some time to have a significant long term impact.

d) To encourage new members two Sunday taster Sessions were held in April when members of the local community were invited by adverts in the local press to come and have a sail with an experienced helm. This was one of the items which came out of the
JFC balancing exercise. It was very successful with 41 people sailing over the two days and certainly some of those enrolling for Sea School courses. Apart from that it raises the profile of the club in the town. Thanks to everyone particularly Bob and Shelagh who helped on those days.

e) Woodroffe Sailing group did six sessions this year with the Autumn sessions being affected badly by poor weather, but there is quite a lot of enthusiasm to be tapped there.

Sally Holman set up, through the Town Council, a days sailing for under privileged children in the Town. Graham Forshaw (Harbour Master) was SI for the day and I was delighted that the Sea School boats could be used for that. The feedback was good and again it raised the profile of the club in the Town.

f) Graham Forshaw was also responsible for the Annual Inspection of the Sea School, which went through without the need for any additional work. Graham is fully in support of the Sea School.

Nearly all the income for the Sea School comes from the Intensive Five day courses and much preliminary work is required to that end.
Five of the weeks had very good weather, but the sixth week the weather was very bad and money had to be refunded.

g) Two Training Days/refresher days were held for the team, a Spinnaker and Trapezing weekend, and a days pre-assessment prior to the Instructors Course.
g2) RYA funding has been provided by way of free instruction on many of the courses, together with much advice. We are very grateful to
Tony Wood in particular for all his assistance.

h) The Instructors Course was particularly successful, being run by John Mills of the Sea Scout Training Centre at Weymouth. Six people took part, of which only one was from outside the Team/Club and has since joined. Jeremy White, Nicki Williams, Christian Forster, Joshua Read, and Katy Coates passed which meant that all passed except the person from outside. Unfortunately, because Katy was not 16 until December she could not be awarded the qualification at the time, but has now been awarded it.

i) Safety cover was provided for the Swimming Race and Bath Tub Race during Lifeboat Week.

j) A major effort each year involves the maintenance of the dinghies, and I would like to thank everyone who continues to help and particularly Ian Spiller.

k) That brings me to the Intensive Week Courses. Most of the income to keep the Sea School afloat comes from these weeks. It has been a particularly good year and the best for the past three. We even managed to get to Charton Bay. Six weeks were run: 35 adults and 117 children took part with 24 in the Instructor Team. The first five weeks were brilliant only losing two and a half days to bad weather. However, in the last week the weather turned and we lost three days, sending them all home on the third. As it was the last week it enabled a good number of cleaning and general maintenance jobs around the Club, identified by Jeremy and myself, to be done by the Instructors. I think we managed to go the entire year without upsetting any fisherman. Sophie (our SI) will not be with us next year and she will be greatly missed. Organisation and pleasant but effective leadership was superb making it fun for everyone.

l) The Summer activities finished with the Sea School party which was a Greek and Roman evening which was fully subscribed, and thanks to Ray and Di for the Greek meal, and Eileen for the Greek dancing. A very pleasant evening.

m) The JFC met in November and broadly agreed that activity was broadly in balance between LRSC and LRSS as established in 2007, but that the Sea School would make a contribution due to mutual benefit of:- A new tender for PJ (£350); A bespoke charging base for the handheld radios; provision of Taster Days (which will take place in May 2011).

n) The issue of insurance for the Trustees was raised and there was some question as to the extent of financial risk to the Sea School Trustees. Following discussions we took out a Directors and Officers Policy, which we are informed should cover any credible risks. The cost of this is in the order of £500 which in addition to the normal policy brings our insurance bill to the order of £3,500.

o) Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has helped this year in numerous ways, together with your support and encouragement, and particularly James for taking on the Treasurership from Margaret who previously held this office.




5. TREASURERS REPORT: Income £33,000. Expenditure £30,500. Approximately £12,500 to carry forward to 2011
One new Laser was purchased costing £1,300.
The Ribs are expensive to run:- £1,800 has been spent at Mobile Marine. We have to continue to use to keep the Warranty valid. This has
been put in Chris Joyner’s name (ie.an individual) so that we could obtain a 5 year warranty rather than just a one year for a business.
Mobiles current rates are £50 plus VAT per hour. £500 plus VAT on Resue 1. £500 plus VAT on Lyme Rib.
The service provided by Mobile Marine is very good. Also this is not work that can be carried out by amateurs. Members have, however,
suggested that we need to look carefully at how much work is going to be done at any one time.
Our figures show that our Reserve is approximately half of the normal yearly income. Approximately £15,000 will carry forward to 2011.
Therefore if no courses were run there would be no Instructors fees to pay but there would still be maintenance costs and insurance. If not so much sailing took place we could let the Sailing Club have use of our Ribs for a fee to gain an income.

6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Chairman & Principal: Chris Joyner is happy to carry on for a further year but wishes to give up next year, having done this for 16 years.
Unanimously elected.
Vice Chairman: Simon Forster is no longer a member of the Club so will not be standing.
Jeremy White said he would be happy to take on this role on the condition it was understood that he did not wish to
be Chairman at any point in the future. Unanimously elected.

Bosun: Ian Spiller said he was willing to continue with this role. Unanimously elected.

Hon. Secretary: Sue Spiller said she was willing to continue with this role. Unanimously elected.

Treasurer: James Fuller said he was willing to continue with this role. Unanimously elected.

The rest of those present will be classed as Committee Members, but will only be called on if necessary.

7. 2011 PREPARATIONS & PROGRAMME: Planning and preparation for 2011 is well under way. Dinghies are pretty well ready to go and
Just need the final snagging and testing.
The position of the dinghies looks like being very similar to last years, although we may have slightly less space. Graham Forshaw is very
keen to help and I have confidence that he will do whatever he can to make life easy for us. There will be piggyback storage for Picos.
Discussions on the RYA involvement took place with Tony Wood in January. There is not likely to be quite as much money available this
year as previously, but they will still give help with people to run courses,etc.
Courses have already started.
12th March PB2 Course was run with 5 participants. Thanks to Richard Finch and Chris Joyner.
18th April Safetyboat Courses being arranged with 9 participants envisaged:-
3 places for SI course people; 3 for those who have not done the course before; 3 other places available.
25th April SI Course (at Weymouth). This is critical as we are currently without an SI for the Summer Intensive weeks.
Kit, Jo, Dom and Matt are all going for it and we hope that at least one will make it. Should this not happen it might be possible to bring in
in an outsider from possibly the Exe Sailing Club. However, it is always preferable to use people from the Sea School.
30th April FA Course.
3rd May Woodroffe School Sailing group starts.
7th & 8th May Laser training event organised by Hilton – 15 partakers so far.
June Dates to be arranged. AI and Helper training.
27th June Instructor Course to be run by John Mills. However, this is looking unlikely at present as there are only a few takers and
we may therefore have to cancel.
4th, 18th, 25th July & 1st, 15th 22nd Aug. Six Intensive week courses. No money has been taken as it was explained that the whole
Operation is dependent on the SI situation being resolved. The course fees for adults have remained the same as last year at £30
membership and £270 course fee. The children’s fees have increased from £25 membership and £165 course fee to
£25 membership and £175 course fee. The child places are all full, but some adult places are available.

Other issues which are being looked into involve efforts to boost Club sailing. These include the possibility of another race training weekend
with perhaps a Laser one and a general one. Also the continuation and improvement of the mentoring scheme, regular provision of an extra
Rib for the less experienced, and measures to ensure more of the competent youth members get involved with Sunday racing, but one of the
questions is how to organise this.

Feedback from people on the Taster Days has suggested that there is quite a demand for a Saturday Sailing Course, rather than the Intensive
weeks during the Summer. We have run these in the past but weather has been a problem. It was felt that Saturday Courses would possibly
be better for local people who are working during the week. Holidaymakers tend to take the places on the Intensive weeks.
However, some people only come down here in the Summer and we would not wish to cause problems to anyone in any way.
It was suggested that we could perhaps give local people advantage in terms of booking. In the past many stalwarts have come in via
Saturday courses rather than the Intensive Summer weeks.
Josh and Tom would perhaps do Saturdays but not when they are helping with Intensive weeks. Will could also help.

Currently, without an SI, we are unable to offer anything unless we brought in an SI from outside. We could perhaps consider linking with
another Club and sharing their Instructors for some events. Other possibilities might be to hire an SI from outside and use our own
Instructors and helpers etc. to run it on a Saturday.

We might be able to do something on a Sunday by running coached training for adults. When there is Safetyboat cover available we might
be able to find some Instructors willing to instruct for payment of their time, but if Instructors are coaching then they cannot be sailing
themselves.
However, this issue of a Saturday Sailing Course is something we will have to look at again at some point in the future.

8. INSTRUCTOR EXPENSES: Last year the proportion of the Income to fees increased slightly. This was largely due to some more
generous ratios. Chris Joyner suggested that the fees paid to Instructors be left as they are but with a discretion to reward when necessary,
perhaps with an extra £10. The question of how we pay the SIs could become a problem if more than two qualify.
It was suggested that we may need to have paid Assistant Helpers but this could cause problems with those who assist on a totally
voluntary basis. We need to ensure people are involved through their love of sailing and not just for the money. However, there may be
some who feel they have to look at the money.
Jeremy White proposed that the payments are kept the same as last year with Chris Joyner having power to act as necessary.
This was seconded by Ian Spiller. David suggested that this should include discretion to Chris Joyner to pay slightly more if
absolutely necessary. All were in favour.

9 AOB: A general vote of thanks was given to Chris Joyner and other people involved for the work that everyone has done in getting
the Sea School to where it is today.

Those present suggested it would be nice if Chris Joyner did not step down in the future but would feel able to continue his role in some way.

The Meeting closed at 3.30 p.m.
LYME REGIS SEA SCHOOL