Most of the dates are in for 2007, have a look and let me know of any glaring errors, just waiting for Shustoke to confirm. If you want to change or add any details please contact me

No Banbury?  'Tis one of my favourites...

Or Hampton, Tamesis or Upper Thames ?

In fact only 1 river club - Cookham listed, any reason or are they coming ?

Banbury is on the midland circuit, it shares st status with shustoke.

Dave

Not sure what your comment means about Banbury sharing Silver Tiller status with Shustoke?  Banbury has had ST status for many years and it is only in last two years that the committee decided to perm 2 out of three of Banbury, Shustoke and Midland.  Banbury will have an open this year in April as part of the Midland Circuit but all welcome.

In response to the River Clubs on the Thames. 2006 was a bumper year for Silver Tiller opens on the Thames Due to the Tideway, and 60th party at Upper Thames. Cookham missed out on Silver Tiller status this year when it was their turn so have got it in 2007. Wembley also comes under the "river" banner, and as they very kindly run and support the topmast trophy every year this gives them a big advantage. Of course there will be open meeting at all the river clubs i'm sure, hampton have already bagged september 9th. so the secret is to get organised and try not to clash with other events.

I take your point and can see there are probably too many restricted events to all have Silver Tiller status every year. My re-collection was that Hampton & Tamesis would alternate Silver Tillers so as Tamesis had 2006 shouldn't Hampton have 2007 ?
Not sure why Wembley would be included as a river club ? You might as well include Banbury, Hollingworth & Shoreham(Is the English Channel a big river)?
Seriously though my main point would be that it seems a shame that 2 clubs(ie. Hampton & Tamesis)who field a lot of Merlins every weekend for club racing in many cases greater than the attendance at some ST's don't even get a ST between them. I know that Tamesis will be fielding around 20+ Merlins for the Winter series this year with at least 5 new boats from last year.

Observer why don't you email me directly it right there on the side, give me your name and stop mischeif making on the forum!

Isn't that partly what the forum is for - free speech, mischief making or otherwise?

It can also just annoy certain committee members who put a lot of time and effort in to organising the sailing calendar for your benefit. So Observer, if you think you can do a better job than Will I am sure he’d only be too keen to let you take over his job next year.

Having been a Golf Club Match Secretary in a previous existence (Oh Lord forgive me for the wasted years searching for the elusive G*** spot!!!) I think it is great that people volunteer for these jobs, bearing in mind that there are also loads of people volunteering their services just to put on an event (often giving up  a day's sailing) at their own club.  Well done to them all and perhaps if the moaners don't like the events they are complaining about, they don't need to turn up.

The Silver Tiller programme is indeed crowded.  We are, in some ways, fortunate to have more Clubs wanting to host events than we have events to host.  The ST design principle is:  21 events, 7 each of sea, open and restricted.  Furthermore, we attempt to provide a reasonable balance between MR populated geographies. We also have to fit in prestige events like Nationals, Inlands and Salcombe.  Plus the occasional specials like birthdays, Topmast, Club racers, France etc.  Not to mention the geographic Circuits such as Thames, Midland and South West. We like to avoid conflict with handicap events like Tiger Trophy, Southport 24hr. It is a complex task and conducted with great consideration by the Committee but there is an inevitability of disappointment to some Clubs who miss out in a particular year.  We watch the passion and enthusiasm of Clubs to participate with care.  William is doing a good and prompt job.

Quite agree.  Much as we would love to have Midland, Shustoke and Banbury all being ST status we understand Chairs comments.  Banbury will be back in 2008 and Midland will take a rest.

Yes I like Banbury too.  Join the Midland Circuit!
steve

I'm not critising William who has an often thankless task juggling the various meetings, not something for me !
Don't really want to tell him who I am, but he knows me well enough to work it out if he followed the various threads.
Just want to ensure that the river clubs get their fair share.

Ps. No Ranelagh either & I dont think Tideaway counted as an ST ?

It will be nice to have Shustoke the same weekend as Midland, then there will be more reason for the Southern most clubs to come.

thats the idea.

All looks fun to me. Am I right in thinking that as a member of Penzance Sailing Club who lives in Kingston I am eligible for both the Thames and Southern circuits?

Is the Felucca not a two day affair for the ST points in 2007?

It's not starred.

There's nothing to stop anyone who wants to coming to Banbury whether they belong to a Midland Club or Hollingsworth or ????  In fact, you could look at it as your chance to get your name on the trophy alongside the likes of Jack Holt and many other more recent luminaries!  The slightly smaller numbers there will be more cake to go around as well.

In response to chairs comments on there being 21 events 7 of each category I can only count 20 and only 6 restricted. Being a great admirer and supporter of the sailing stretch of water at Hampton perhaps there is hope yet that once again Hampton can host one of the more popular supported Silver Tiller events.  On the plus side I am pleased to see a great line up of sailing for next year and that QM is also back in the calendar. Ps Blithfield was fantastic and will be a very hard act to follow.

As I have already said we are just waiting for Shustoke to confirm for saturday 24th march as the final restricted event.

The Felucca is only silver tiller on the saturday as Hollingworth are holding he dinner sat night and ST prizegiving. therefore it would be difficult to hand out the prizes if we were still racing for the ST on sunday. There will be racing for the Felucca trophy on Sunday

Having sampled the lovely warm waters of the Thames again last weekend (thanks Kevin!) it's just a shame that on the years when we have had Silver Tiller status for our open at Hampton the wind has failed to deliver the goods.  This year's open was a blast, as Rob said after winning it, it's not often you get your crew behind the hoop downwind on the river.  Sorry we aren't on the list for next year, just hope it's not because of the logistics of unloading the Warren double-stacker!!

Andrew ex-Hampton rep

Oh well Andrew, the river clubs will just have to make a blast of the Thames Series events next year.  Let's hope the Merlin fleets at Upper Thames, Cookham, Hampton, Minima, Tamesis, Ranelagh and Wembley can all get involved in each other's opens in even bigger numbers in 2007.

Nothing wrong with a balance between ST and non STs.  Midland circuit will have 4 STs and 6 non STs in 2007.  At least one non st  out of four to count.  Prizes all down the fleet.

last race this year Sutton, 15th October.

steve

It is great to have the list of events for 2007 this early. It really helps the planning for next year's sailing.

Please could we get the vintage events sorted soon too? Or at least before December when someone allocates us into a clash with club duties.

These are organised by Mervyn Allen, though often in conjunction with the CVRDA, so outside Will W's scope.

Vintage stuff for me too!!  I may have to leave next week from Aberdeen to get there in time!!

Richard
Have a trial run - MINIMA Open this Sunday
See you there?

We actually have a fledgling fleet at Thames SC now. Lots of interest and likely to grow over this winter. We would gladly host a Thames Series event. Who organises the Thames Series?

Of course Ben, despite sacrificing the opportunity to discard one more crap summer series club result. ;)

Mark, there was a Thames Series at Thames last year but Thames didn't know and were surprised when Merlins turned up. Fortunately they were able to combine the event with one at Minima the same day.
It would be good to sail at Thames again if you can get it organised.

Mark
Pop down to Minima on Sunday and I will go through it all with you.
PS. 11.00 am start, why not bring a crew and a boat!!

Mr Ampleford do not fear.
A Vintage Merlin Open at Thames in 2007 is already in the pipeline!

Can I just say that observer is not me... Just in case you thought it was.