Old News

Sailing 2021

A dry run was held on 15th April with volunteers that demonstrated that before COVID restrictions were lifted, we could have limited sailing on a Saturday, but in a very regimented way. There were concerns particularly with timing as a lot of our sailors have special needs and behave in an unpredictable way and cannot be regimented.

We have, therefore, deferred general sailing until after COVID restrictions are lifted.

May and June will be used to arrange a series of Volunteer Training Days to get volunteers up to scratch with the revised protocols. These will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays and details are set out below.

Friends of CVSS 200 Club New Applications

Friends of CVSS 200 Club

Once again we would like to thank everyone who supported the 'Friends of CVSS 200 Club' during the past year. With no sailing thus reducing our income considerably it was an absolute life line to CVSS.

Last year we paid out a total of £500 in the four draws. We received £2080 in entries with 104 members and friends joining the 200 club. The only expense was the £40 licence in addition to the prizes, so it raised £1580. Plus we had a number of extra donations totalling £400!

We can't thank you all enough!

We invite you to join the Friends of CVSS 200 Club for 2021/22. Once again there will be four draws with some great prizes in June, September, December and March. Entry will again be £20. This year there will be an option to set up a standing order for future years if you wish.

So please support us once again and ask your friends and relatives too. The more the merrier. This year will be challenging for CVSS with reduced income due to the pandemic. Let's see if we can beat last year's number of members!

Stay safe and thank you

Application for Friends of CVSS 200 Club 2021/22

CVSS AGM Wednesday 28th April 2021 at 19:00

The AGM will take place on Wednesday 28 April 2021 at 7pm, by zoom (zoom details below).
This is a change in tradition, as the AGM has previously taken place at the end of each season. As discussed at last year's AGM, this can cause confusion, as members were focussed on the season that had just finished, but the accounts presented to the meeting were for the previous season.
An April AGM will resolve that, and will also offer an opportunity for the chairman to both report on the previous season, and outline plans in place for the ensuing season.

Login Details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89376591038?pwd=emwrR01VZTMvZmhYSUppTWNTZjRvQT09
Meeting ID: 893 7659 1038
Passcode: 724392

Harry Marriott

It is with a sad heart that we have learned of the death of our dear friend Harry Marriott.

Harry was a founder member of CVSS and he loved to spend his time with new volunteers teaching them basic knots and sailing skills among many other things. He was a competent sailor who loved his time at the lake. Over the last few years Harry was a regular Wednesday volunteer. He ensured our sugar levels were always topped up by the ever constant supply of doughnuts and cakes! He retired from sailing in 2018. He also celebrated his 90th birthday in 2020.

Rest in peace, Harry, we are all going to miss you. Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad time.

Friends of CVSS 200 Club March Draw

Thank you so much for supporting the Friends of CVSS 200 Club in 2020. Our 104 members have raised a massive £1580 for CVSS after the prizes and licence have been paid for. This has been a real lifeline for CVSS during the pandemic, as aside from a few donations, this has been our main source of income to meet our financial commitments.

It is hoped to gradually reintroduce sailing again this year when it is safe to do so and this money will help us support disabled people by enabling them to have affordable opportunities to have fun on the water through sailing and canoeing.

The winners of the March draw were:

1st Veronica Benattar £50

2nd Harriett Elsdon £30

3rd Steve Seymour £15

Congratulations to the winners!

We will shortly be relaunching our 200 club for the 2021 season so will be circulating information later this month, including the option to set up a standing order. We very much hope that many will continue supporting us to enable disabled children and adults to go sailing and canoeing during 2021.

Thank you again for your support!

Flooding around the Aquadrome

Major flooding in the Aquadrome has led to it's closure to the public. Heavy rain in January and February as caused flooding all around Bury Lake, Batchworth Lake, the River Colne and the canal.

Friends of CVSS 200 Club December Draw

The December draw has taken place. The winners were:

1st John Hallewell £100

2nd Mike Peterson £50

3rd Sandie Tew £25

Congratulations to the winners!

Thank you for supporting CVSS

Wishing you good luck in the fourth draw which will take place in March!

Message from our Chairman Mike Marcus

Report following the AGM which was held via ZOOM on 21st October 2020

What a year to become Chairman. Confucius says it is not good to live in interesting times and I think I agree with him.

I have had fantastic support from my fellow Trustees and the Committee and I would like to thank them for this As a result of COVID-19 we have been unable to sail this season and I know everyone has missed it. Unlike last year, the water levels have remained high, but we cannot dwell on what might have been. We have had sufficient financial reserves so, unlike many Charities, we have had one less thing to worry about. Obviously the 200 Club has helped and I would like to thank my fellow trustee, Phil for the idea and making it happen.

We have tried to keep in touch with people over the summer through a WhatsApp Group, our new Facebook page, Newsletters and Zoom. If you would like more information about any of these, please contact Frances or myself. We have also revamped and updated our website to make it more accessible for sailors and volunteers. Any feedback on these would be most welcome.

WhatsApp 'CVSS Friends Together'

A WhatsApp group is available to help members keep in touch during the pandemic while sailing is cancelled.

If you are a volunteer or a supporter of CVSS and you wish to join this group please contact our Secretary.

Harry Codd 1922 - 2020

One of the original co-founders of CVSS, Harry Codd, sadly died on 10th January 2020 aged 97. His funeral took place at Chilterns Cremetorium in Amersham on 1st February; CVSS was well represented by volunteers paying their respects.

Our thoughts go to his family and friends.