Denhome Sailing Club Walk!!!

Denholme Sailing club went on a fab walk on 11th of January; we walked around St Ives and saw some brilliant views When we walked through the woods on the way back to the car park we saw loads of beautiful wooden statues. Thea and I loved the walk even though it was blowing a gale but although we sometimes got cold it was still a very, very good day especially when we all sat down and had lunch together.


By Anna Khan

Denholme SC goes walkabout

No doubt, after the usual excesses of the festive season, we're all feeling like we could do with some exercise. So, how about a pleasant walk with other club members?

Cameron is arranging a walk of about 3 hours (roughly 6-7 miles) from St Ives at Harden which is between Cullingworth and Bingley, 4 miles from the sailing club. Start will be at 10am on Sunday 11 January. Nothing too difficult, just a gentle walk to help burn off a mince pie or two. We will walk as a group, no-one gets left behind!

There are two entrances to St Ives, we will meet at the new free car park which is situated by the Bingley end of St Ives, just off the B6429. It is easy to find. If you approach from Bingley, head across Ireland Bridge towards Harden and the entrance is signposted about 0.5miles on the right, at the top of the S bends. Approaching from Cullingworth, head through Harden towards Bingley, past Woodbank Nurseries and the entrance is on your left about 0.75 out of the village. If you need more detailed directions, just let Cameron know and he will send something better.

The intended route will start at the car park and head through the woods towards Altar Lane with a brief stop at Druid's Altar to take in the view of the valley below. Then we will continue along Altar Lane to cross Keighley Road and take a track towards Harden Moor. From there, we will head across to Catstones Moor and down towards Cullingworth via Dolphin Lane where we join a path that takes us to Hallas Bridge and Harden Beck (which is fed by Doe Park and Hewenden). Following the beck down through the woods we will pass Goit Stock Waterfall which can be pretty impressive following wet weather. From there the route takes us into Harden from where we will re-enter St Ives and back to the car park.

Click here http://www.friendsofstives.org.uk/index.php for some interesting information about St Ives.

Please confirm if you think you intend to come. If you change your mind on the day, it's not a problem, just don't turn up - all Cameron needs is a rough idea how many might be coming.

Non-members are welcome so, if you've got visitors that weekend, drag them along too!

It goes without saying that you will need suitable clothing for cold and/or wet weather and although you can get way with "stout shoes" on a walk like this, walking boots are a better option as some of it can be muddy and slippery. We will stop for lunch somewhere about half way round the route, so bring a packed lunch and drinks. Exactly where depends really on what the weather's like on the day as we may need a sheltered place.

Contact Cameron by email

Firework Party 2nd November

The club will be holding a fireworks party shortly after sailing finishes on 2 November. As was the case last year, due to restrictions imposed by our lease, we can not have a bonfire but last year's firework party was still an enjoyable event.

We will be providing pie and peas.

The club will provide some fireworks but you are welcome to bring some of your own to add to the display. However, they will need to be launched by the club volunteers who are running the "official" display so as to maintain some semblance of control.

It would help us to plan catering if you could email me if you will be coming. Please reply by 30 October if possible.

We look forward to seeing you.

Cameron Wilson

Great Rivers of the East

Only a short distance into our pilgrimage and already we are passing areas thick with prayer flags fluttering on a light breeze, yesterdays preparations had gone well with Guru Cornish and Guru Durham passing many donations over the Smalleys’ altar. We had walked the long path to a lesser temple more suited to the novices. Returning to our craft we were happy to see the masters back with many tales to tell even at such a late hour. After we had taken to our sleeping mats, Guru Durham enthralled us with his special chants which can only be done after causing self harm to his very own toes with parts of our own craft’s furniture; with such preparations our journey could not fail.

Our aim was the great holy river of the east: much talked about but only travelled by the few. After passing the first of the flags we came upon an area of great challenge to the quest; many forces were firing upon us but their wrath was absorbed by a magical red-sailed yacht which could sail through the exploding and hissing of many arms with no damage, shielding us from the evil upon the cliffs. As we approached the mystical river the prayer flags became denser. These should be treated with respect as many of those laying out these flags are so frail they are granted payments from the government to help with their incapacity and lack of work. Yet still they come out in all weathers, tending to the flags and the mystical netted dream catching pots they attach under the seas.

At last we were on the holy Tyne, an area joyous with much partying in praise of the gods. It is an area of such warmth and kindness that young ladies feel safe enough to leave their homes at night with barely any need for clothing, and men can be seen shedding all comfort wearing only a t-shirt regardless of painful climatic conditions. As our craft mainly contained novices we were stopped from directly entering the great city but allowed to rest at St. Peter’s; the final approach was only allowed on foot at an hour so early some of the pilgrims from the night before were still on view. Their experiences had been so intense they found it hard to walk or speak and even their complexion had been changed – if only one of us could reach such a state of enlightenment!

Returning to our berth with the blessed bread of Tesco Extra, some onboard spoke of a great ringing but were unable to trace its source. We broke our fast and set off to retrace our course into the mists. After a short while it gave many of us novices much joy to discover Brother Pudsey had been entered by the spirits in such a way as to alter his ability to speak, his movement was much impaired and he had attained the ghostly complexion of the pure at heart.

Much love to Sisters Thornton and Shipley, Brothers Eldwick and Pudsey and, of course, Gurus Durham and Cornish.

Yours, Brother Gildersome

Snow-pen Day

Our open day this year was on 6th April.

The Bradford branch of the RNLI set up a display to raise awareness and money for the RNLI. Bradford actually has its own lifeboat and has done since 1859. The current boat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet and has been involved in a number of rescues. Listen to Martin Chappellow of Bradford RNLI.


At first, the weather was fine although very cold. However, snow soon started to fall and committee members could be observed sheltering in the clubhouse.

However, the barbecue was out of doors and for some people hunger was a stronger force than warmth.

The day was reasonably well attended despite the weather and some visitors were even brave enough to go for a sail.

Most sailing was done by DSC winter sailors, though...

some of whom showed remarkably little respect for the safety boat and camera crew!


Music: Kevin McLeod

Walkway

John has made a new walkway for the jetty to replace one that had been broken during the summer of dis-reservoir. We now have the use of both jetties again which is definitely good news when there is as good a turnout as this week.


Today we had dry(ish) weather and wind. In a generous mood the wind direction could have been described as variable; somehow Alan as OD managed to plot a course that had every mark to windward!

Lunch today was pizza and beans.

Breaking the Ice

Today had sunshine and a sky without clouds. The far end of the pond temptingly offered a breeze but the jetties were surrounded by ice. John looked at the ice and said "I'm not sailing in that; it's half an inch thick!"


However, the ice-breaker, sorry, safety boat was launched...

but the boat didn't seem sure that it wanted to go out and break the ice.

Eventually, though, Tony was able to set off to try break the ice in the hope that wind and sunshine would clear the pond.

Unfortunately, although the sunshine was willing, the wind was not and whilst we were eating lunch (chili, chips and peas) the wind dropped completely. Better luck next week?