Sunday, May 27, 2007

The work at Doe Park

Here are the latest developments in the construction work at Doe Park.

Boats on the pond



Not enough wind but still a very welcome sight!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Doe Park is open!

Today, Doe Park re-opened. Unfortunately, the contractors have not quite finished so it still looks like (is) a building site as this view from the clubhouse shows.
view from the clubhouse
Doe Park Water Activity Centre and Denholme SC shared the water today so there were both paddlers and sailors. Kayaks and canoes were managed by Chris from Doe Park Centre.
Chris - Kayak instructor

Alan, fresh from a holiday in Greece and one of our newest instructors, Andrew, took care of the sailors.
Andrew - one of our new instructors

For the first time boats were rigged (note the new surface of the dinghy pen)...
rigging in the dinghy pen

and launched.
launching a dinghy

It was certainly good to see boats on the water at Doe Park again!
Boats on the water

Barbara did a great job cleaning and managing the galley.
Barbara in the galley

Unfortunately, we were not able to offer a barbecue as we had expected to. Apparently Bentley's, the contractors, had offered to provide food for the event but at the last minute withdrew the offer. However, we managed with crisps, chocolate and biscuits from a last-minute run to the Co-Op.

All in all, it was a good day, with plenty of visitors trying out the centre and some very happy Denholme sailors, pleased to be home.
happy sailors

Thanks to all involved in today especially Steve, Louise, Chris, Barbara, Alan and Andrew (apologies to anyone I have not mentioned). There are more photographs in our Flickr Gallery

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Thanks to Alan and Andrew

Andrew and Alan helped at an open day for people with disabilities at Pugneys Country Park. We have received the following letter from Wakefield Council:

I thought I would drop you a line to thank your members of the club for their help during the disabled open day at Pugneys Country Park on the 22nd of April. You will be aware the day was a great success, it is estimated that over 250 disabled people and their carers, from organised groups and individuals attended taking part in canoeing and sailing.

The event emphasises the regional importance of Pugneys as an accessible watersports centre and this can only be achieved in partnership with organisations such as Denholme Sailing club and its members.

Once again many thanks to yourselves and your members attending the open day.

Service Director, Sport and Active Lifestyles

Did they make it this time?

So we were off again in search of the Farnes. We had tried turning south with no successes; looked as though it was time to head north. On Friday we looked out from the walls of Hartlepool Marina to see rolling swells, some over one foot high, so we ate, drank tea and went to our bunks ready for an early start. At first light on Saturday nothing happened as we were all asleep, but by 10 we were off, heading north, drinking tea, sometimes going faster than an old man can walk.

The word was out the Denholme boys (and the girls who aren't paid up members but we will keep that quiet) were on tour, One by one the towns pulled down their shutters and would not let us in, posies were placed at marina walls with orders to throw fish guts and small children if we should try to enter. We used the cunning plan of sailing an oscillating course with intermittent use of the engine and sails to throw them from our scent; by early evening North Shields was ours.

After a night entertained by Scooch who came so close to victory we did manage an early start with a very pleasant sail back to Hartlepool. Our crew of 7 became 8, not by anyone giving birth but a delivery from the RNLI. After a short stay he left, jumping over the side a couple of miles from land telling us to sail on, confident his mates would find him once he raised the alarm (and they think dinghy sailors are mad!).

We were not ready to return to dry land but time had run out. How can a weekend pass so fast? Many thanks to Calvyn and Mike for yet another enjoyable trip and good luck in the Baltic this summer. Want to sail on Black Diamond after they return from the tall ships races? Then please get in touch.

By Tim

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Progress at Doe Park?

I went up to Doe Park today (5 May) just to see how things are doing. The water level is still well down below the tower and it looks like there's at least another good month's worth of work to do just to tidy the place up. They have yet to lay the new road surface along the dam wall, and the car park looks like a bomb site. I noticed that the contractors have put a new slipway in from the council pen, which they are starting to resurface by the looks of things.

Anyone know anything for definite about when we'll be sailing again? Spring Bank looks a bit optimistic to me - unless the contractors are going to really push the boat out :-)

Cameron
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