Penguin Cruising Club Revisits St Kilda
18/7/11
The St Kilda attempt became a resounding success - with TWO nights spent at St Kilda and to top that a night at the Shaints and the addition of a new anchorage to the list of Penguin Bolt Holes.
More details and photos to follow.
Route File - Unzip the file and open with Google Earth
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 14.
14/05/11
From the Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
What weather! Spring sprung bouncily back in March – Carol and I managed several sails before Easter on Aurial without freezing! Even better, it’s been so dry I’ve only had to mow the lawn twice. I only hope that this spell of good weather has not been our summer, and that June to September won’t be a washout!
The Easter cruise was certainly no washout – a circumnavigation
of Skye in glorious
(mostly) weather under the safe Commodoreship of Simon Walker. My spies
reported back happily and can’t wait for the next cruise.
Next up is the ‘St Kilda Attempt’ – it sounds like an epic mountain climb, though we will be avoiding the north face. The cruise is full, though we have had a few substitutions – work really does get in the way at times. I’m hoping for fair conditions from the Weather Gods.
Mike Webb’s Mediterranean Fortnight then follows in September – blue sea, white sands, retsina, warm water, and gentle winds. We hope.
I’m glad to say that apart from the above there is not much news on the Penguin front – but sometimes no news is good news! On the semi Penguin front, this comes from Robin Middleton:
I thought you might like to know that on a recent foray around the Cornish coast that Lyn Ballard had organised, crewed predominently by Penguins, we organised the last days return to Falmouth from Fowey with an all female crew. Jackie Purves skipper, Rachel Belk mate, Jude Bullock [ all Penguins] and Helen Harmer as crew, took 'Splinter' out of Fowey and after successfully shipping the inflatable took her back to Falmouth Marina. I am led to believe this is a first for a 'Penguinesque' trip. Robin
Well done all! Jackie and Jude contacted me too, asking if we can organise more of the same. The answer, of course, is yes, go ahead! Typical Commodorial delegation there – if you can arrange properly experienced skippers and mates, we will support you. And remember that the club will reimburse the exam costs for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster (now called Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore respectively), so come on, girls (and boys), get qualified!
And on that upbeat encouraging note, I’ll sign off till after St Kilda, wishing you fair winds and a good suntan.
Jonty Pearce
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 13,
23/2/2011
From the Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
Do you find life gets overpoweringly hectic at times? What with my partner
retiring, a failed merger between practices followed by adverts for a
new doctor, job descriptions, interviews, and all the necessary legal
and administrative tasks, I was well ready for a half term holiday in
North Wales. Being up here in Cwm Pennant reminds me of some of the advantages
of sailing – no phone, no internet, peace and quiet. And 15min up
a remote valley with only sheep for company, though you don’t get
that advantage (?) on boats. Roll on the sailing season!
As ever, this newsletter comes slightly later than planned. But as the
last one was in January, a slightly late report after the Ceilidh, AGM
and committee meeting might be permitted. The AGM went smoothly with no
surprises. Unfortunately, computer incompatibility meant that some planned
cruise presentations went ahead without being able to display all the
hard work in preparation. I will do more homework next year and ensure
everything works together. Jonathan Walton presented the Kevin Walton
Memorial Easter Cruise, Phil Biggin and Robin Pocock the Menorca cruise,
and Phil performed again for the Scilly cruise. Lyn Ballard then described
his Scottish circumnavigation.
Before the Ceilidh Graham Room chaired a well received Sailing Forum –
lots of topics of interest with a wide range of responses! A nice informal
group, all agreed we should repeat it next year. The Ceilidh itself was
well attended with a lovely spread of food followed by the new band. Billed
as the ‘Electric Ceilidh Band’, The Whole Caboodle entertained
us with music and excellently called dances – including ‘The
Penguin Dance’ involving Attracting mates, Rushing for nest sites,
and Huddling for warmth! All done in a Penguin waddle… They got
nearly everybody on their feet, though as ever it was on the loud side
(their billing is a hint) for a few – you can never please everybody!
We will prepare a quiet area for those who wish to talk not dance next
year. The barrel of ale was down to the dregs by the evenings end, and
a thoroughly good time had by all.
The 2011 cruises are all full, starting with Simon Hamilton’s Easter
Scotland Cruise (now expanded to 3 boats by popular demand, my St Kilda
(attempt) cruise in July, and Mike Webb’s Aegean cruise in September.
The latter 2 week cruise is all filled by crew staying for the fortnight,
so more extensive exploration will be possible.
Lyn Ballard has also asked me to include this:
Crew Wanted
This summer sail with penguins to the coast of Donegal in NW Eire
One berth is available on a well proven seaworthy yacht with yachtmaster
skipper leaving Glencoe on 18th June for a 2 week cruise of this beautiful
and rarely visited coast that is only a short hop from our home waters.
Cost £680. If interested contact Lyn Ballard, tel evenings 01684
540142 or e-mail, new_winnings@yahoo.co.uk
So air your foulies, chase the spiders out of your boots, shake the moths
out of your thermals and get ready for sailing!
Jonty Pearce, Club Commodore.
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 12,
1/1/2011
I’d thought of getting this 12th newsletter out in
2010 but could not resist using the 1/1/11 date lineup – it doesn’t
often become available!
I hope you all had a good Christmas, and have lots of nice new thermal
waterproof underwear ready for the next batch of Penguin wettings. I mean
cruises. New Year is upon us, the nights are drawing out, and we’ll
be on the water before we know it!
But before then, we have the AGM and Ceilidh – all details in your
snail mail envelopes, with all the cruises. Do try to come – I’ve
already mentioned the new band, the Barrel of HPA local beer, Badger’s
special Spanish vino, and the sailing ‘Forum’. It won’t
be the same without either Kevin or Ruth, but as Charles Darwin taught
us, we shall evolve!
You may have noticed I’d arranged for the bad, cold, icy weather
to come early this year so as not to complicate travel for the Ceilidh.
I apologise if this caused some early inconvenience, but it has removed
any excuses for not attending the Ceilidh this year. There have been proposals
to move the Ceilidh to a different season – we will discuss this
at the AGM, though early opinions were largely to keep the status quo.
All thoughts appreciated, though. I still smile at Charles Howells’
statement in the midst of last year’s icy grip: ‘Well, we
are Penguins, aren’t we? We like snow… I hope we can be warmer
Penguins this year.
Put the date in your diary now – 15th January 2011.
I still have some places for the St Kilda cruise – I have not chased
Mike Webb or Simon Hamilton for the Aegean and Easter cruise bookings,
but would point out that they normally fill at the AGM – so if you
are havering, contact the organiser and book now to avoid disappointment!
I look forwards to seeing as many of you as possible in
two weeks – till then, keep warm, smile a lot and eat all your Christmas
chocolate!
Jonty Pearce, Club Commodore.
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 11,
2/10/2010
It is with some surprise that I notice that this is the
eleventh of these Newsletters. In some ways, it feels as if I’ve
done more, and in other ways less! A lot has happened since I became Commodore
– not least the loss of not only Kevin, but latterly Ruth too. Her
Service was very well attended, and as always despite being a neighbour
I learnt many things I never knew about her. What a life! But, what a
way to go. Jonathan, Jane, Myra, Sarah and a myriad of grandchildren masterminded
a glorious sendoff, followed by the usual Walton bunfight in the Village
Hall.
The Committee meeting was held the weekend after the final cruise –
The Scillies. Phil Biggin led his troop of three boats safely out and
back. With no problems, this was a lovely cruise to a group of magic islands.
Mind you, they may be idyllic, but they are dangerous. Jackie sent me
a picture of a boat we nearly chartered sitting on the hard at Falmouth
rather short in the keel department. Apparently a charter group left the
keel on rocks in the Scillies. They sailed back but failed to report their
grounding. The next group took the boat out, but on return complained
about its performance and stability! Cornish Cruising retrieved the keel
from the relevant rocks, and I expect the charter group might not be welcome
again.
I must pass my thanks to all the organisers, commodores and skippers who
have enabled a very successful season – The Kevin Walton Memorial
Easter cruise with 6 yachts, Menorca with 6 yachts over 2 weeks, and Scilly
with 3 boats. 15 boat weeks and nearly 100 crew members is one of our
busier seasons.
For your pleasure next year, we have for your delicitation a multiplication
of cruises. Well, Old Time Music Hall Speak aside, we have Easter in the
Hebrides, St Kilda in the Summer, and The Aegean in the Autumn. Simon
Hamilton has agreed to organise two (possibly three) boats from Skye starting
Sat 16/4/2011 and finishing on Easter Saturday a week later – Easter
is very late this coming year. I’m arranging to take Isle Of Skye’s
three largest yachts to St Kilda on July 9th for a week, and Mike Webb
is arranging a fortnight (can be split) in the Aegean from September 16th
to the 30th. Further details for all will be in the Annual mailing towards
the end of the month. But be quick to book – this coming year we
have only 9 boat weeks, and around 60 berths.
And after the excitement of the mailing – the AGM and Ceilidh. We
had a remarkable attendance despite the snow and ice last year, but I’d
like to try and promote this event more. To this end, while we are not
changing the general format, to ring the changes I have booked a different
ceilidh band and will install a barrel of best local beer rather than
cans. In addition we are going to hold a ‘Sailing Forum’ during
the gap between the AGM and the meal open to all interested parties to
explore ideas, problems that may have occurred for the skippers during
the season, and general sailing discussion. This will be in the side room
and will be a very informal open door event. So do try to support us –
the more the merrier. Put the date in your diary now – 15th January
2011.
Till then, keep your Sou’Wester firmly tied and your warmest undies
dry. I won’t wish you Happy Christmas just yet – I need to
get the 4th Newsletter this year first to make it a round Dozen. That
means I’ll have done 3 years of my five year sentence… anybody
want to be the next Commodore in 2013??
Jonty Pearce, Club Commodore.
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 10,
28/7/2010
Two months have passed since the last Newsletter went out and I have more sad news. Ruth Walton died in her sleep from a stroke on the morning of Sunday 25th July. She was fit and well the day before and had been a tower of strength to Jane for the previous two weeks – of which more presently. As the Walton Matriarch she had coped with much and maybe we only now realize how much of a lynchpin she was, forever beavering away in the background. More senior Penguins may remember her portioning out dried soup mix from a catering pack for the different yachts, while more junior Penguins (I include myself) saw her rarely leave the kitchen at the Ceilidh. Whilst I feel that she may have felt that at 93 her life was complete, we shall all mourn her loss and our heartfelt condolences go out to all the Walton family and its widespread offshoots. After a family committal at the Crematorium, the will be a Service at St James the Great Church, Colwall at 3pm followed by tea in Colwall Village Hall. All are welcome. And, as you did for Kevin’s service, please wear cheerful colours rather than dark clothes and black ties as we celebrate her life, not her death. Ruth herself will depart adorned by a Hawaiian Lei.
I alluded to Jane Walton earlier. Not only has she just lost her mother, but her husband David Fanshawe died peacefully in hospital on July 5th, also of a stroke. While not an active Penguin, he always brightened up our Ceilidh with a wild shirt, and, of course, his cap. He was an explorer, lecturer, photographer, performer, and composer, making a unique contribution to music. He was perhaps best known for his African Sanctus. A special tribute memorial website has been set up: www.davidfanshawe.com which says far more than I can pen. A Memorial Service, hopefully in Salisbury Cathedral, is being planned.
David’s daughter, also Ruth’s granddaughter, Rachel, has a nice theory which I’m sure is true. In Heaven, Kevin Walton has been so busy redesigning the Gates of Heaven to work more efficiently, and David Fanshawe is so busy recording The Heavenly Choirs, the God had to send down for Ruth to come and keep them under control. Think of the picture and smile.
Naturally, this Newsletter centres on these sad losses. However, on a lighter note, we have had a very successful cruise to Menorca, and await a trip to The Scillies. The Menorcan trip went very smoothly – weather issues prevented a complete circumnavigation, though the majority of the island was inspected. You will have to wait for the full reports of all the stories till the AGM as I do not want to spoil the tales – though I will tease you with the delights of the holding tank venting onto the anchor chain…
The Scillies trip is planned with 3 boats for the 4th September – I’m planning to check out the anchorages on a two week trip on Aurial, going down from Milford Haven with Carol, Badger, and Paul Rose, though we’ll have left a week before Jackie Purves’ group arrives. We’ll all be hoping for fair winds and a following sea.
I’ll send out another Newsletter before the September Committee meeting. As ever, please do contact me with any ideas for cruises or offers of help with organisation. I do admit to having jumped the gun and arranged a St Kilda cruise for next July, though we still have no formal proposals for other cruises. Easter, I’m sure, will be as usual!
Please spread the word about Ruth’s Service to anyone you know who does not receive emails, and I look forward to seeing many of you next Thursday. Till then, in radio speak, ‘Standing By’.
Jonty Pearce, Club Commodore.
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 9,
28/5/2010
57° 18.627’ N 005° 47.081’ W. Just an area of sea – no marker. No feature. No transits. Just co-ordinates. A point on the water South of the Crowlins and North of the Skye Bridge. But from Sunday 4th of April onwards, a place for Penguins to remember and to pay their respects as they pass, for here was scattered the Northernmost quarter of Kevin Walton’s ashes. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday – one of those quiet days before a storm. Six yachts rafted up together in calm sunny windless conditions for a few words by Jonathan Walton with a minute’s silence after the scattering of the ashes.
It only seemed right to conclude with an appropriate toast – for some, Laphroaig, for others ‘Penguin Wine’. We were there for more than an hour relaxing in the sun – long enough to be seen from the mainland, we discovered later when sheltering from the expected gale in the Hotel Bar at Plockton. And also long enough to see the pod of dolphins playing where Kevin had been launched as we sailed away.
The Kevin Walton Memorial Cruise was not all as poignant, however. Isle Of Skye Yachts did us proud, having not only borrowed the ferry signal flags to string a banner proclaiming ‘PENGUIN’, but also in preparing a pad for the plaque produced by Robin Pocock. They also provided the memorial bottles of wine seen above and presented at the unveiling. Penguins now feature on their website http://www.skyeyachts.co.uk/sailing_gallery.shtml.
The sailing itself was enjoyed by all – the weather varied from still and sunny to gales, and did not stop us visiting many of Kevin’s favourites – Isle Ornsay, The Crowlins, Poll Creadha, Acarseid Mor, The Shiants, Scalpay, Canna, and Scavaig. The 39 crewmembers included many younger sailors who certainly saw some brisk action, especially from The Shiants to Scalpay and from Scalpay down to Canna on a 65 mile beat! All the boats rose to all the challenges, and it was wonderful to see so many boats all grouped together. There may have been a little ‘racing’ – my boat had the ‘privilege’ of having Badger and his sailing bears aboard and Captain Horatio Scampblower helmed with determination lashed to the wheel while the crew sat out to windward with the backup of the autopilot. This circumnavigation of Skye could maybe be better described as a circumlaughigation but with well judged planning by the able Commodore Jonathan Walton.
Our thanks must go to Jonathan for his skills, to Ian Rose for his exceptional organisation, to Robin for the plaque, and to IOSY for all their help.
I’m promised the Kevin Walton Memorial Lecture at The Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge on the 15th April was the last official KW tribute. An eclectic mix of FIDS, BAS, Penguins, friends and family gathered to hear tributes, stories, and memories before fascinating presentations on Antartican life with special emphasis on the Huskies. Kevin’s medals were then presented on loan to The Scott Polar Research Institute before buns and tea. It was a fascinating day that opened up even more of Kevin’s life to me.
Finally, back to club matters – next off is Julia’s Menorcan exploration. A different beast altogether to the Hebrides at Easter, with gentle winds, hot sun and great sailing all promised. Jackie’s Scillies trip follows in September – I hope now with 3 boats though the poor girl seems to have a constant stream of organisational changes!
I’m already looking at next year’s cruises – leading contenders are a Summer trip to St Kilda, and then The Broads again, though the Lofotens are always tempting! Do email your interest or suggestions to me – feedback really helps to determine the shape and size of future cruises. I suspect my crew from Easter will fill one boat to St Kilda, though – and as we need to reserve boats early, do let me know!
Happy Sailing and try not to pinch too much
Jonty Pearce, Club Commodore.
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 8,
18/3/2010
It seems that only a blink of time has taken us from the AGM to today! And most of that blink seems to have been spent in the ice and snow. Here, in Malvern, especially on the hills, we have seen up to a foot of snow. As most of you know at one point we were even considering postponing the AGM until we were reminded that we were, after all, Penguins, who thrive on the snow. I must say I needed reminding of this as I welded up a torn snow chain ripped off in the Colwall Village Hall car park doing handbrake turns before the AGM to try to flatten the snow to allow car parking. This exceeded the snow chains’ specification. They don't build them like they used to.
In the event all went amazingly well, with 40 attending the AGM and 70 the ceilidh. The band and catering what all able to make it and we were all pleased to have as good a day as we have for many a year! We even squeezed in the Committee Meeting that afternoon so attendees could escape before more snow forecast for Sunday afternoon.
All last year's cruises were successful – to remind you Carol Pearce organised the Easter cruise to the Hebrides, Commodored by Paul Rose; David Newman organised and Commodored the Aeolian Island volcanic cruise; Quentin Hayes conjured up ‘The Magic Of The Swatchways’, Commodored partly by Jonathan Walton till he jumped ship and Quentin took over the Admiral’s hat; and finally Graham Room organised the Scottish ‘Student Cruise That Wasn’t’ with Jonathan Walton leading from below with a bad back and eight new Penguins. Well done and thanks to all.
Next year’s cruises are, I believe, all full – there is a waiting list for The Kevin Walton Memorial Cruise, with 6 boats and over 40 crew, organised by Ian Rose who is setting new standards of excellence! Next up for two weeks in May is the split family/others cruise to Menorca organised by Julia Hamilton – it is worth asking if there are spaces left. Jackie Purves/Bleach is organising The Scillies cruise in September – the boats we have are full, but we might be able to book another if there is enough (skilled) demand. Thanks again to all concerned.
Finally, two Kevin Walton memorial details – firstly, there is a lecture on 16th April at The Scott Polar Institute in Cambridge – Jane Fanshawe has asked me to attach details to this newsletter, but we had to do this by a link to the website: www.penguin.org.uk/kevin.pdf All are welcome, but numbers are needed – reply as on the flyer.
Secondly, the planned Memorial Plaque is coming to fruition – a link to the design by Robin Pocock is: www.penguin.org.uk/kevin.htm.
The classic ‘Origami Penguin’ will be made in glass with the words ‘IN MEMORY OF KEVIN WALTON, GC, DSC, PM 1918-2009. FOUNDER OF PENGUIN CRUISING AND WHO SAILED THESE WATERS FOR 40 YEARS’. The plaque will be mounted, DV, on the parapet wall of Armadale Pier.
Well, that’s all for now – I’ll send out another bulletin in May. I hope you all have a good season and that the winds of benevolence waft you in peaceful relaxation throughout the year.
Jonty Pearce.
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 7,
26/9/2009
From the Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
The committee met as planned on the 19th of September here at Woodstock and decided on the forthcoming year’s cruises. I thought I’d give you a sneak preview to help your holiday planning before the Annual Penguin Pack comes out.
Firstly, starting on Easter Saturday 3rd April till Sat 10th April 2010, is the Kevin Walton Memorial Cruise from Isle Of Skye Yachts in Armadale. We have reserved 4 boats but I expect the two we have in reserve will be needed as well. Jonathan Walton will be the Commodore Afloat (who else could it be?), and Ian Rose has agreed to organize it with Jonathan’s guiding hand being close. Thanks Ian. It will be a revisitation of all Kevin’s favorite places, full of reminiscences and tales. I suspect it will be fully booked, so I’ve reserved spaces for Carol and myself already…
Secondly, Robin Pocock has come up with a visit to Menorca. It was established on our previous trip to Mallorca that six boats was too much for a Commodore Afloat to easily keep tabs on whilst still enjoying a holiday, so with a cunning plan the cruise has been split into a ‘Non School Holiday’ week from the 22/5/2010 to 29/5/2010 with 2 Bavaria 36’s and a Bavaria 34 followed by a ‘School Holiday’ ? family week between 29/5 and 5/6/2010 to include the Whitsun Holiday Monday with a Bavaria 34, 36, and 38. We couldn’t get the same 3 boats for both weeks. Robin would prefer not to organize this cruise, and I’m short of an organiser – so if anyone fancies the cruise and would be happy to take the bookings, please contact me! Mallorca was a fantastic destination, and I’m sure Menorca will match it, also giving us the option of a more family suited week.
Finally, I have chartered a 41’ Hanse and a 41’ Beneteau from Cornish Cruising for a trip (weather permitting) to the Scillies later in the Summer to get the best weather (well, it was this year) between 4/9/2010 and 11/9/2010. We had a Puffguin/Penfin cruise organized by David Newman last year with the same 2 boats which was enjoyed by all. Again, an organiser is required – any offers?
We just might add in a Scottish training cruise around Whitsun time ? from Ballachulish – Lyn Ballard is investigating. This would be for mile building and skill development. Watch this space.
Finally, watch out for your snail mailing in October. This will have the details we hold for you printed on your copy – if there are inaccuracies PLEASE LET US KNOW – we are trying to get our records as up to date as possible.
All the best and happy planning,
Jonty Pearce
1/9/09
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter
No 6
From the Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
My, hasn’t the ‘Summer’ flown! I’d meant to send this back in July, so apologies for its tardiness. I remembered just before our two week holiday sailing on the West Wales coast, but didn’t have time to send it before leaving. If I’d had my computer with me, I’d have had plenty of time to write it whilst sheltering from the inclement weather.
Still, it gives me more news to add – we have now completed three of the four cruises this year. The Easter Scotland cruise was a great success with three boats circumnavigating Skye under Paul Rose’s commodoreship. The only sadness was hearing of Kevin Walton’s passing whilst we were entering Scadabay. David Newman’s Aeolian Island cruise followed at Whitsun – I only hope his plans to give his wife Katherine (a mal de mer sufferer) a calm time by chartering a catamaran on the cruise helped. But although they don’t roll, they do rock…? And finally Quentin Hayes’ East Coast cruise returned safely having weathered Britain’s best last weekend. Still to go is the ‘Student’ September Scotland cruise. Although few students applied, it will introduce many new Penguins.
Kevin had a huge send off at his funeral in Colwall. He will be much missed, and we feel needs to be remembered in a special Penguin way. Part of this is planned to be the ‘Kevin Walton Memorial Cruise’ – appropriately at Easter, and from Armadale. Jonathan Walton is working on this, and we are hoping for as many as six boats starting on Easter Saturday (3/4/2010), or even at a push Good Friday, (2/4/2010), until 10/4/2010. Details will be discussed at the September committee meeting on the 19th. At Whitsun we hope to return to the Balearics – maybe Menorca, and possible for more than one week – maybe one week for families in the school holiday and one before or after for those not constrained? The third cruise might be the Scillies, but no plans are formalized yet.
As ever, we need your ideas, and offers of help. If anybody does have an idea for a cruise, we need details for the Sept meeting – apologies for the late notice. Cruise organizers will be needed for the Balearic and ? Scilly cruises – if we have voluntreers it saves me having to bully people! So do come forward and email me.
I will send out another newsletter after the meeting – till then, enjoy the last of the Summer.
Jonty Pearce
Kevin Walton, GC
If you haven't heard already Kevin sailed his last boat into the sunset, on Easter Monday, "with a fair wind behind him."
The trouble started, two weeks ago, with a fall in his workshop (which Kevin knew would happen) in excruciating pain, he knew he had done real damage. However, in true Kevin fashion, when he landed in his pile of sawdust, he did not feel it enough of an emergency to use the panic button around his neck. He said he suffered the most pain in his life when he managed to get up, using a garden fork and a stick, and hobble up to the front door from his basement workshop! Being covered in sawdust, Ruth initially refused him entry! and thence realised this was a real emergency and called the ambulance with the help of wonderful neighbours.
This fall resulted in a partial hip replacement and following this, during his hospitalisation, he was not in pain, he knew little or what was happening, but he knew he was being cared for and recognised some of his visitors. He was generally confused but his dreams were plausible, reliving, and fantasising on all things connected with his past. He talked about days of sailing, motor cars, railways, tunnels, bridges, naval dockyards, mountains, snow and dogs. At night, he was always most concerned that his boat(s) / fleet were securely berthed and we continued to assure him that all was well and that his 'family' were safe.
Since the family are far-flung, we are postponing events until Friday May 1st when there will be a Service of Thanksgiving in Colwall Parish Church, preceded by a family cremation in the morning. The VC / GC Association will join us at a further Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Kevin Walton, probably in June / early July.
We heard about Kevin’s passing on the Easter Cruise – in bright sunshine, just going into one of his favourite places – Scadabay, home of the redoubtable Mrs MacLeod. We completed the cruise with burgees and Ensigns at half mast (well, he knew Royalty) with the feeling of having an extra crewmate.
Our love and condolences go out to all the Waltons and all who Kevin touched with his wand of inspiration.
Link
to The Telegraph Obituary
Commodore’s Newsletters
14/3/09
Penguin Cruising Club Commodore’s Newsletter No 5
From the Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
A belated Happy New Year to you all! And here we are nearly at Easter with the Scotland Cruise only four weeks away. Life, as ever, is hectic so my planned newsletter to report on the AGM and January Committee meeting comes, as ever, late – March not January. Apologies. But there is lots of news to pass on!
Firstly, the AGM and ceilidh. We had a good turn-out for the AGM in a flag dressed hall with a projectorful of penguin photos that was also useful for illustrating the cruise reports. We heard about the year’s activities from Richard Gatley with the Scotland Easter cruise, Paul Rose in lieu of an absent Lyn Ballard for the Brittany escapade, and had a full report on the Faroes with fantastic photographs from Simon Hamilton. Three very different cruises but all very successful. We heard that the three cruises for 2009 were well subscribed to and are now full, with presentations from Carol Pearce, David Newman, and Quentin Hayes for Easter Scotland, The Aeolian Islands, and the East Coast cruises respectively.
This year there were quite significant committee changes – not least with our long-standing (for ever) Company Secretary Paul Fray stepping down. Paul has done such a fantastic job that we found two people were needed to replace him; Marion Keall has taken over the Company Secretary role, and Paul Rose the Membership Secretary aspect. Paul Rose, Marian Keall, and David Newman had all completed their 3 year terms of committee membership; their replacements are Paul Fray (staying on as an ordinary committee member to give continuity and the benefit of his experience), Graham Room, and Julie Ward. Paul Rose was seconded to the committee as a co-opted member.
As a recognition of Paul Fray’s dedication and work a presentation was made of an engraved tankard and Penguin glass plaque. Simon Hamilton also received a glass Penguin plaque as thanks for his five years as Club Commodore.
Still on presentations and awards, Simon Hamilton accepted the Dodo award for his work correcting the genoa halyard lead at the mast top in the Faroes, and Paul Rose was the recipient of the Golden Gaffe for some complicated unwinding of a mooring buoy from the keel with a kedge anchor (!) in Brittany.
The Ceilidh following the AGM was again a great get-together, with food ably organised by Ruth Walton and Freda Ballard – thanks again. Old and new friends met, plans were discussed, dances were danced and the only official social event of the Penguin year was topped off by our very own Quentin Hayes demonstrating morris dancing.
As usual the Committee meeting followed on the Sunday morning following its usual pattern but with one notable item – a New Cruise! My summary follows:
The club has long worried that our membership is getting longer in the tooth despite the Penguin ‘chicks’ that have been produced over the years. We do seem to have a paucity of members of the 20 – 30 year old group. The Committee have discussed this on and off, and as you may remember from some of my newsletters, it had been suggested that we contact the University Sailing Clubs to try to offer Penguin Sailing to students about to leave their existing University facilities who might otherwise be at a loose nautical end.
This I plan to do, but on discussion it became evident that with all the cruises we have organised booking up quickly, we might have little to offer them. As a result we decided to take the plunge and organise a specific ‘Student Cruise’ so that when I email out the Club Brochure and covering letter to the Universities at the end of March (timed so that they can think about it before they leave University either for the summer or for good) we can also include a booking form.
Graham Room has taken this up and has done the legwork to book 2 boats for the 19th-26th September 2009 from Alba at Dunstaffnage – a Moody 31 and a Westerly Corsair (36’). The cost is £260 for those under 25 and £285 for those older – an attempt to keep prices down to attract younger people. We have paid the deposit – if this turns out to be a disaster we will have to lose it, though I think the venture is worth the risk.
If we have failed to attract enough new members with this approach we will open the cruise up to the club members via my newsletters from 1st June.
I do hope that this 4th Penguin Cruise of the year will be successful in broadening our horizons in more ways than one.
I am contacting potential skippers – Graham and I felt it wise to seek a balance of male/female officers of preferably younger age – this reveals the initial problem of having less club members with these specifications! We will. Of course, be grateful for any help in making this new venture a success.
Keep in touch, and happy sailing!
Jonty Pearce
27/11/08
Dear fellow Penguins,
Only a few weeks remain until Christmas, and then the New Year brings
fresh delights! It's time for the 'Penguin
Pack' to fall through the letterbox, and to find out the gossip of last
year and what lies in store for next.
We said goodbye and thanks to Simon Hamilton as the Club
Commodore, after five years' able leadership, at
the 2008 AGM and Reunion. He'll be able to relax and enjoy the next one!
Yours truly was appointed in his
place, again with a view for serving for five years – if you'll
have me! Already it seems ages ago. Our faithful
team of The Frays, Ballards, Marion Percy, The Ceilidh band, The Waltons,
Stills, and all those who make the
Reunion Ceilidh such a success will be back on 10th January 2009. Do try
to come – it starts the year in good
stead, and it is great to see you all.
We have had yet another enjoyable sailing year, cleverly
avoiding the absent summer, doing typical Penguin
activities including exploring new grounds and our first 'Land Cruise'.
The year's activities started, as ever, with Easter in
Scotland. David Newman organised and Richard Gatley was
Commodore Afloat. Taking the Southerly option, with three yachts from
Dunstaffnage, the 'Whisky Isles' were
well investigated.
Next was our 'Land Cruise' – the Club's 20th and
Kevin's 90th celebrations held on a campsite at Llangorse Lake
near Brecon. We wined and dined 60 on a gorgeous weekend, with boating
activities aplenty. Kevin and Ruth
enjoyed a 'double' Canadian canoe cruise courtesy of the Ottos. Speeches,
cake and Antarctic toasts finished off
the evening celebrations.
Lyn Ballard took a pair of boats to Brittany – and
even brought them back – shooting Le Raz Du Sein during a
10-day period in June. A great time was had by all, and there are some
great photos on the web.
Finally, The Faroes! Faroese chart translation, plummeting exchange rates,
and a novice charterer did not
impair the enjoyment of this new and fantastic cruising ground. Graham
Room did a great job of organising,
and Simon Hamilton was Commodore Afloat – even posing as the fairy
at the top of the Christmas tree, at one
point, when doing some masthead adjustments!
Two other 'Penfin/Puffguin' cruises were enjoyed –
one to the BVI in, I think, February, and a successful raid
over to the Scillies in July.
Your pack contains the details of the cruises for the forthcoming
year: Easter from Armadale (actually at Easter
this year), David Newman's long promised Aoelian Islands cruise, and a
family trip to the East Coast led by
Quentin Hayes. Take your pick, but book quickly – these are all
expected to be popular cruises.
The year has seen changes too – I hope for the better.
David Newman has revamped the website, having taken
over from James Raby – thank you, both – and I have introduced
email newsletters to keep in touch. I'm afraid
that this may be news to some of you – unfortunately our contact
data does not keep up with the rapidity of
email address changes. If you have not received them, please contact the
Secretary: secretary@penguin.org.uk.
The mailing is in A5 window form this year, so please check the back of
the green form for what details we have
for you. If our data are wrong, please tell us! For those who are interested
in what you missed, the Newsletters
are reproduced on the website in the news section.
I look forward to being the club 'figurehead' over the
next four years (one down already…), [is there a prow
sturdy enough worthy enough? we ask – Ed.] but I should like to
emphasise that a club is only as good as its
members. So if you have ideas, suggestions, criticisms – please
tell us. With the email Newsletters we are trying
to keep in better contact, and we are looking at surveys to clarify the
wishes of members. We might even have
the option of sending the mailing electronically to those who would like
it so. Do let us know!
See you in January!
Jonty Pearce, Commodore
Commodore’s Newsletter No 4,
14/10/2008
From the Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
Doesn’t time fly? I’d meant to send this newsletter two weeks ago, but Carol’s Mum suffering a stroke put a spanner in the works – I’m glad to say she’s making good progress in what will probably be a long haul.
As a result the October mailing will drop through your letterboxes imminently (ish). I hope you will see a slightly new format with A5 window envelopes allowing us to show what contact details we have on record. This gives you the opportunity to correct our data with that all-important email address for those who we are not reaching with these newsletters. Please keep us updated – it makes our lives much easier.
I can scoop the mailing with advance information of our three cruises. First, Carol (the current wife) is organising the Easter cruise. At Easter, so holiday organising should be easier. We are going from Armadale, with the aim (as always, weather permitting), of reaching the Outer Hebrides. For those worried by East Coast mud (see later), the water is gin clear, and for those concerned by Aeolian sun and wind burn, we can promise gentle dawns, and zephyrs of breeze occasionally dewdropped with moisture. So book up!
Second to go is David Newman’s long promised Aeolian cruise – Sun, Sea, Sand and Volcanoes! A Whitsun Mediterranean melting pot of sensations, and a new area for us. Maybe not one for young families – 30 mile passages and gusty winds are possible, but great sailing, scenery and a good mix of boats. Ideal to shake out the winter blues and feel some real sun before it gets too scorching! Fill in David’s form from the mailing for this one – it’s sure to book up fast.
Finally, Quentin Hayes’ ‘Magic Of The Swatchways’ – again, a new cruising ground on the East Coast with Secret Water, the River Deben, Woodbridge, and plenty of soft shallow mudbanks to bounce off! Aimed as a family alternative to the Norfolk Broads, this cruise will suit all ages over 8 and explore a completely different type of shoreline to those hard Hebridean rocks. Timed at the end of August, sun and happiness are personally guaranteed by the organizer.
The AGM will soon be with us on the 10th of January. Do come, and don’t forget the Ceilidh afterwards. We have nominations for the Golden Gaffe, and the Dodo award, and announcements on Committee changes. Speaking of which, we are looking for nominations for two new Committee members. While we have some ideas, I won’t approach them for a while to give the opportunity to any of our members this to consider nomination of themselves or another person. Don’t be shy – come forward, and phone or Email me (details of home number is on the forthcoming mailing, Easter Cruise details). The Club relies on the membership to come forwards and have their say, and being on the Committee puts you in the forefront. In a couple of weeks, I will consult the Committee, and approach likely lads and/or laddettes for the ‘honour’. If you like the idea, call me!
Also, a plea for all our photographers – last year I put a slide show up on the screen. This year we’d like to include shots of all this year’s cruises – and any classy pictures from previous years! Send me a CD of the photos – they have to be digital – or, if the file size permits, email them to me. I’ll make up a disc, and we’ll all be able to enjoy them.
Finally, the Committee has discussed ways of finding out what the club membership want of us. While this may simply be not to change, there is the possibility of using an electronic tool called ‘Survey Monkey’ to get the answers to posed questions. Items to be considered could be thoughts on training, future cruises, our progress to electronic communications, and the possibility of abandoning ‘snail mail’ in favour of an electronic annual mailing. Don’t worry – personally I think we should keep the option of paper for those who do not like computers or have difficulty accessing or using them.
I look forward to seeing you all at the AGM, or hearing from you if you have any ideas, photos, or nominations. Look out for the mailing.
Happy Christmas!!
Jonathan Pearce
Commodore’s Newsletter -No 3
29/8/2008
From Jonty Pearce.
Well, all good plans tend to slip a bit – here I am writing the ‘July’ newsletter on our 22’ trailer sailer E boat on a wet and windy August Bank Holiday in Pembrokeshire. The only people sailing are the Dale racing regatta types and even they are reefed! Carol and I have made our summer a little busy by buying an old (1979) Southerly 105 ketch – currently on the hard in a ‘boatyard’ in Cheshire. This accounts for the epoxy and varnish adorning Carol’s hair these days. So, apologies for the lateness of the promised newsletter.
However, I’m glad to say the somewhat indifferent summer has not interfered with Penguin’s cruises.
First off the mark was the Easter cruise organized by David Newman and led by the ‘virgin’ Commodore Richard Gatley. A successful cruise from Dunstaffnage around the southern end of the ‘Whisky Isles’ – extra time spent on my favourite, Islay, I hope. I don’t want to change our tradition of presenting the full log at the AGM, but can say that the weather was clement, the sailing successful, and the Commodore’s maidenhead lost with aplomb. Photos and a log from Ian Rose are on the website.
Second to go was Lyn Ballard’s ambitious Channel crossing from Falmouth to Brittany. Camilla’s report gives the full story on the web and is well worth a read. Lyn led from the front, and brought his flock back safely with smiles all round and a sense of achievement at all objectives fulfilled.
Third was Graham Room’s even more ambitious Faroes trip – another successful cruise though I don’t know all the details yet and look forwards to hearing at the AGM. Translating from a Faroese chart and with plummeting exchange rates made this one a challenging cruise to organize, so well done Graham. Our very own Simon Hamilton called the sailing shots – the photos and story are eagerly awaited!
There have been two other semi-penguin cruises. Puffguin? Penfin? Never mind. The BVI group went again in ? February to seek warm climes, gentle winds, and sandy beaches. I think around a dozen Penguins made up the crews – maybe we can entice them back to do it again under the Penguin banner, unless they are such a well-knit group it would be a shame to ‘open it up’ to offer it as a general cruise. You wouldn’t guess I’m trying to spark off a dialogue here, would you? The other Puffguin venture was to the Scillies in July. David Newman conceived this one after discussions with me at our local Steam Fair bar (!), and it came about as we offered no Penguin cruises set in the school holidays (though see below). Twelve of us , all Penguins bar three (who I hope will be drawn in) went from Falmouth to circumnavigate the Scillies, enjoying The Turks Head on St Agnes and The Tresco Arms on, yes you guessed it. The sun shone – a real shorts and suncream trip for much of the time.
Finally, the reason that there was no school holiday trip was the very successful Penguin Anniversay Llangorse Camping cruise. The sun shone, ninety Penguins raised their glasses to toast Kevin’s 90th and the club’s 20th. We chartered a watercraft flotilla on the lake, and Simon H and Jonathan W provided a magnificent barbecue, and the beer barrel was emptied. Full report at the AGM.
Cruises for next year. If anybody does have ideas, or would want to organize a cruise, please contact me. An idea does not mean you have to be the organiser – I can tell other people to do that! Delegation, you see. We have some ideas – Lyn has proposed a couple of interesting ideas that we shall discuss, and David N has promised to organise an Aeolian Island trip for only four years now. Other ideas for the next few years could include St Kilda, the Norfolk Broads again, The Scillies, and the Lofoten Islands. Other proposals welcome. We really need a rough idea of time of year, destination, charterer, cost, and the number of boats to discuss at our next Committee meeting on the 6th of September. Sorry – not much time left, which is why I wanted to send this out a month ago.
The usual Penguin mailing will drop though your letterbox from October onwards – it will include (I hope) past copies of the newsletter and a plea for updated email details to try and draw in those not receiving these newsletters.
Keep in touch, and happy sailing!
Jonathan Pearce
Commodore’s Newsletter -No 2
5/5/2008
From Jonty Pearce.
Welcome to the second Penguin Cruising Club Newsletter. I’m glad to say the feedback has all been positive from the first newsletter – I’m hoping it will stay that way!! However I must make apologies to all those who were unable to read it – there are at least 36 whose email addresses rejected me, and more for who we have no email details. I suspect many addresses will have altered since our records were made. Please keep us updated so we can reach as many members electronically as we can.
This Newsletter comes earlier than my previously planned July date for one main reason: Kevin’s 90th and the Penguin 20th Birthday Bash at Llangorse. I felt a reminder was timely. We have at least 16 families – nearly 50 people booked, but still have spare capacity, and I know some people have intimated to me that they might come but have not sent me a form. The details are on the website – link http://www.penguin.org.uk/newcruises/family.htm although as I write there is a temporary glitch that David has promised to sort (Sorted! - DN). You will have had a form with the mailing, or telephone me on 01684 541144, or email jp@(remove this)colwall.me.uk Please remove the words in brackets when you use the email - I’m being hit by spamming from the website. Simon Hamilton is masterminding the catering, so an idea of numbers aids vitualling. We are in a private paddock, with facilities, and have reserved a Wayfarer, 2 Toppers, and 3 Canadian canoes on the lake on Saturday. Don’t forget a memory or a photo for a "Kevin memory lane" display. There will be a cocktail night on Friday night (bring interesting booze!), boating and countryside activities on Saturday, followed by a group meal with included refreshments (with draught beer) on the Saturday night. Do come -- the more the merrier. PLEASE let us know if you can come as soon as possible – I need to have an idea of numbers!
David Newman has updated the website – do visit it. It has a new look, and we are in the process of uploading new pictures, logs, and links. We do apologise for some bits that don’t work properly yet, and there are no full contact details for the committee at this time – be patient, all will be revealed in technicolour in due course! Meanwhile, thanks to David.
The worthy Jonathan Walton queried my statement that the club has its roots in 1963 – he says Kevin hadn’t even started sailing then!! My source was our own Penguin Sailing Handbook, 1st Edition March 1989. Can anybody throw more light? Answers on a postcard. Or email might be easier.
Lyn Ballard’s Brittany Beat is the next event after the Birthday Bash – and then Graham Room’s Faroes Foray. David Newman’s Easter Escapade was a great success – I’m told they enjoyed cold, but beautiful weather. Three boats – a Westerly Typhoon 37, Moody 36, and a baby Westerly 33 especially for Richard Gatley as the Commodore Afloat (to make sure he didn’t get ideas above his station) were chartered from Dunstaffnage, and cruised around including the Ardmore Islands, Jura, Coll, Tinker’s Hole (avoiding Penguin Rock this time), and Mull, including Tobermory. Full details will be supplied at the AGM. Well done all.
STOP PRESS
Lyn Ballard writes: You mentioned you were putting out a letter on the
Penguin web site or was it a wide ranging e-mail. Anyway if info is going
around Penguin members I would very much like to include the following
plug for my July trip to Scotland.
ONE place available on 1 week private (not Club organised) cruise out
of Oban, 19 to 26 July.
Mixture of exploring as conditions allow and training for anyone wanting
to progress
to more RYA qualifications. 3 crew plus Yachtmaster skipper in Moody 31,
an easily handled boat
built for British conditions. Cost £375, transport available, for
information Tel Lyn Ballard 01684 540142, or write to Lyn Ballard, New
Winnings, Walwyn Rd, Colwall Malvern WR13 6QB
May your luff grooves slide smoothly and your seacocks be continent - Happy Sailing!
Commodore’s Newsletter -No 1
11/2/2008
From the new Club Commodore, Jonty Pearce.
Welcome to the first Penguin Cruising Club Newsletter. For those not at the AGM, you may not have heard that Simon Hamilton retired after a very successful five-year stint as Commodore of the Club. His shoes will be hard to fill – thank you, Simon, for all your hard work. I have been elected to take over, again for a five-year spell.
Although I only joined the club in summer 2001, I feel my two main qualifications for the Commodorial post are being prepared to say yes when asked to take it on, and living opposite Kevin Walton. I have also done some sailing. Although there is now a new hand on the helm, be assured that our course will not change. I remain dedicated to our stated aim of providing enjoyable and varied sailing, and introducing others, especially younger people, to the pleasures of cruising under sail. To keep the club vibrant, I plan to try to move towards improving communications and dissemination of information. This first newsletter is an example, and I plan to follow it with others later in the year. For those members unable to attend the AGM, normally you would not hear what was discussed until the October mailing. I hope these newsletters will keep the members of the club up to date and aware of what activities are planned in the forthcoming season. We can also update members about unfilled cruises, and special events - see later.
A July newsletter will give a progress report of the year's activities, and appeal for ideas for future cruises - we need the outline plans for the September committee meeting.
A September newsletter after this committee meeting can forewarn you of future cruises so you can plan ahead and book your place fast as soon as the booking forms are released to secure a holiday on the most popular cruises. The October letter mailing will continue as before though we hope to give members the option of receiving it electronically rather than by "snail mail" - this would save forests, costs, the secretary's time, and might be more convenient to members. Booking forms for cruises can be downloaded from the website, once it has been updated (imminent, I hope).
The website is a fundamental information source - we will promote it as our electronic "face" from which booking forms and guidance can be downloaded, as well as uploading of logs and photos -- keep them coming in! Any information we could add to the site will be welcome. David Newman has agreed to take over the task of webmaster from the very overworked James Raby – so a big thank you to James for all your past hard work over the years, and to David for taking over the electronic reins.
If there are any members who do not wish to receive newsletters or the October mailing by e-mail, please reply to me and we will remove your e-mail from the list. Likewise, if your e-mail changes or you need to update your contact details, let us know. A copy of this newsletter will go on to the website, and for those whose e-mail address is missing from our files, opportunity to update your details will arrive with the October mailing.
The sponsored place will continue for the Easter cruises. Although originally intended to bring in to the club those disadvantaged by finance, health or situation, such candidates seem to be harder to find now. While holding to our original ideas, we will also now simply offer the sponsored place to younger members who might not otherwise have joined the club fold. It will be suggested that they enclose a brief letter justifying their request for sponsorship with their initial application. I am e-mailing as many university sailing clubs as I can find attaching Jonathan Walton's new flyer in order to try to attract suitable new members.
While I don't feel that the club is top-heavy with older members, we do need to attract younger sailors to ensure maintaining a healthy age balance of membership.
Finally, although the club has roots as early as 1963, it only became a formal club in its current form 1988. This, our 20th year, conveniently coincides with Kevin Walton's 90th birthday. We are hosting a "camping cruise" from Friday the 30th of May to Sunday the first of June 2008 at Llangorse lake, near Brecon. Details will on the website once updated, and were in your mailing. Any queries email me on commodore@{remove this}penguin.org.uk. We have secured a private paddock, with facilities, and have reserved some boats on the lake on Saturday. We encourage you to come, bring your own craft, if you have any, and also to bring a memory or a photo for a "Kevin memory lane" display. There will be a cocktail night on Friday night, boating and countryside activities on Saturday, followed by a group meal with included refreshments on the Saturday night. Do come -- the more the merrier. PLEASE let us know if you can come as soon as possible – I need to have an idea of numbers!
STOP PRESS 1 place is still available on Lyn Ballard’s Brittany/Channel cruise, Saturday 7th to Tuesday 17th June. The only problem is – we need an experienced sailor of at least Mate standard. Can you help? Contact Lyn on newwinnings@{remove this}yahoo.co.uk, Tel 01684 540142.
ANOTHER STOP PRESS David Newman’s Easter Scotland cruise – Sat 12th to Sat 19th April – still has 3 vacancies. Proper Penguin sailing – book now or regret it for another year!
Email penguin@{remove this}kandles.co.uk or Tel 01684 591506.
Don't worry, future letters won't be this long! Keep in
touch, and happy sailing! Jonathan Pearce
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Updates notification...Email List
We operate an email list for those who want to be made aware of news from
the Club and when there is an update made to the website. This list will
of course be strictly Penguin only...for all those of you suffering from
severe spam attack. The list is NOT the formal club membership mailing
list referred to as the "members" list used to circulate major
club news. Anyone can sign up for the "updates" list seperately.
If you wish to receive website updates information from the club simply email me at majordomo@{remove this} penguin.org.uk with a blank subject line and "subscribe updates" (don't include inverted commas) as the first and only in the text.
You will be able to stop receiving updates at any time by sending "unsubscribe updates" to the same address and I will take you off the list immediately.
For those with spam blockers you should allow email from the trusted domain "penguin.org.uk" or put the first email you receive into your address book.
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Finally....(I'll just keep on leaving this here...see if anyone notices.....because no-one has yet), the site is growing slowly but there is still plenty of room for those archives of photos, articles and logs that you have tucked away. Please, please forward anything to me you think may be of interest to Penguins. Don't worry about it being in any format or just "draft" ...I have to reformat it anyway to put it up on the site ... I just need the basic words and pictures. You can email it to me at webmaster@{remove this} penguin.org.uk