I can now confirm that the Inland Championships for 2007 will now be held at Blithfield Sailing Club on Sat 13 and Sun 14 October.

Notice of race will be issued shortly by Blithfield.

First race on Saturday will be in the afternoon, time to be confirmed.

Sun 14 October will count for the Silver Tiller and Midland Circuit 

There is a wealth of prizes from several sponsors which we will distribute in peculiar ways around the fleet.

Please support the event if you can.

Thanks to all helpers who have enabled us to re-organise at short notice.

Steve Watson

By the way, the event sponsors are
- Fullers Beer
- Dynamic Sails
- P&B
- Speed Sails
- Craft Insure
all sponsoring through prize contributions

Can someone explain entry fees for this to me, does one fee cover the Inlands, Silver Tiller and midland Circuit or does one have to pay three entry fees?

I think it would have been fairer to keep the inlands separate from the ST/Midland circuit event at Blithfield.  I know the logistics of reorganising this event must be a nightmare, but as this is a forum I feel the event should have been postponed to another date when it could have been held on a stand-alone basis, and also somewhere in the southeast to match with the QMSC venue more - Frensham Pond for instance?

I understand your comment, but I think this means you should volunteer to be to be the organiser of a major event next year. It is fairly simple really, just takes a little bit of time and forward planning, about 4 to 6 months.  Unfortunately time is against everyone to organise the inlands before the end of the season, we are after all volunteers with day jobs.

When I've finished being Sailing Secretary at Tammy I think I may be able to take you up on your suggestion Alan.  Any thoughts on major events that need organising next year?

I can't believe that I am reading this.  When I was chairman we had a similar, but not so serious, problem with the petrol tanker crisis in 2000 (ish).  I know from that experience just how difficult it is to decide what is best for everyone.

To reorganise a major event at such short notice is a great credit to the committee, the organiser and Blithfield who have agreed to take it on.  Well done everyone.

Incidentally, I have raced a lot at Frensham.  Lovely place, but certainly not an Inlands venue.

JC - I was only expressing an opinion about the location/date of the re-scheduled event - this is, after all, a forum for debate.  If Frensham Pond is not a suitable venue for the Inlands, then fair enough - all you have to do is point out why.  I too sailed there with my father in a Merlin for a while before moving back to Tamesis where there is a strong Merlin fleet.

On the subject of getting involved rather than criticising the Committee/volunteers/organisers as is being suggested, I would be happy to help out with the scheduling/orgnasing of events next year, as well as the writing up of reports for any I am able to attend if that is required.

Didn't mean to demean you Richard. I'm, sure your club efforts are more than enough to keep you busy. I'm sure Mr Warren will be reaching out to you if you have any spare capacity.

Didn't think you were demeaning me Alan. If help is needed next year, I'd be more than happy to get involved in whatever capacity.

I absolutely agree with John Cooper.
I think our chairman and Alan Fuller, who is/was our 'Inlands Man', have made exactly the right decision in extremely unusual and difficult circumstances.
We should be very grateful to Blithfield S C for taking it on again - they must have only just got over last years effort!
It is much better to have an Inland Championship than to cancel it completely, which frankly was the only alternative.
We will be going to support it.

I like Frensham, it was my home club as a teenager....but it simply wouldnt fit 40 Merlins on it!!!!

Ok - point accepted with Frensham!  I'd like to able to support the event at Blithfield too seeing as I entered for the event at Queen Mary and went to Blithfield last year which put on a brilliant weekend.  However, Tammy have a double vintage/Thames series event the same weekend as Blithfield and it's unfortunate these two venues/events clash.

Come on Richard, an inlands is going to generate 55 to 60 boats we would hope. Frensham pond is too small to give good racing for that size fleet.

Given that there were 3 weeks to sort this out (The season ends at Hollingworth) that we are having an inlands at all is no mean feat. Blithfield have really put themselves out and hopefully the bar takings will convey our gratitude!

Where else in the south east will take us? Grafham will want 100 boats and are probably booked up. Datchet face the same problems as Queen Mary in that they can't guarantee that they will be open, and if they were open thay are probably booked up. I can't think of anywhere else large enough to do the job.  To arrange an Inland Champs anywhere with 3 weeks notice is nothing short of extraordinary, at least this way the serious runners and riders are already going to have Blithfield on their minds for the ST meeting. As for the points thing, it worked fine last year why should this year be differant?

So if all of Yotting that weekend "England" Must be in the final for the world cup the following weekend?? (Fingers crossed)

Enough of this jibber-jabber.

HERE'S THE GOSS. (see the link)

Many thanks to Alan Fuller, shame it wasn't to be.

If you follow the llink given above  -  and the click on 'Tim Male'   -  you will go to the page prepared for the event last year.  This will be corrected tonight.

Can any one who live nearish me (Walton on Thames), that either I can get to easily or visa versa, please let me know if you are going to Blithfield - I can't make it, but I have the prizes at my house!

Slight problem, Can't make the date and have already posted cheque to Queen May sc. Was really looking forward to it, will Q.M. sc be sending all the cheques back that they have received?

Yes, but they can't get into the club so you may have to wait a month or so.