Aldeburgh Yacht Club are looking forward to welcoming the merlin fleet to the River Alde for their first ever Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller.  The Alde is a beautiful estuary, with bends and tide and some more open areas that can be used if the wind doesn't blow up and down the longer reaches of the river.  The race officer fully intends to use whichever parts of the river will best optimise the racing.  Easy launching.
 
Free camping is available within the club grounds.  Its not a manicured lawn but will be comfortable enough with something to sleep on.  Campervans etc also welcome.
 
I've organised with the caterers that we will have dinner at 6.30 on the Saturday evening, two courses for £10.  Meat or vegetarian lasagne, or fish and chips followed by Eton Mess. The bar will be open and has Adnams on tap as well as all the usual options.
 
The terrace is a beautiful spot to watch the sun go down over the river.  The town has lots to offer the non-sailors, with shops and art galleries and an extremely long shingle beach where you can build a pyramid of cans and then throw stones at it.  Also a model boat pond and ice cream vans.
 
Entry fee is £25.  Two races on Saturday, with the first start at 2.30pm, three races on Sunday, first start at 10.30am.  Bacon rolls etc available from 8.30 on Sunday morning.
 
Entry form and Notice of Race here.....
 
It really would be extremely helpful if people could let me know if they intend to come along, either on here or by email - [email protected] and also whether they would like the meal on Saturday evening.....
 
Hoping for a great entry - early indications are good.
 
Please contact me with any questions.
 
Fran
07810446377
 
 

We're in!  Afraid our plans don't get as detailed as food plans yet though...!!

The food is great.  Had lunch at club earlier this year on visit to Aldeburgh.

I'm in!
 
It's a lovely place to sail! 

I think you've just persuaded me Franny! Sounds blissful and after a busy BEW and JBEW, sounds just the ticket for some R&R.

Hi Everyone,

Looking forward to seeing lots of people at the weekend.

2.30pm start on Saturday but the current forecast is for wall to wall sunshine on Saturday so don't get caught up in traffic heading to the beach, very pleasant chilling out at Aldeburgh for the extra hour or so.

I'm hoping lots of people will want to eat at the club on Saturday evening, the caterers are putting on a meal at 6.30pm.

Two courses for £10.

Main course

Fish and chips or meat lasagne or veggie lasagne
 
Followed by

Eton Mess

Please could you let me know if you intend to attend and which main course choices you would prefer....

[email protected] or text 07810446377

This applies of course to helms and crews and any other guests you would like to bring.

Many thanks,

Fran

Any questions give me a buzz.

07810446377

Will and I will be there with bells on.
 
Fran are dogs allowed at the sailing club? If so Adele will be making an appearance with the new addition ... 

 Hi Andy,
 
Well - I just spoke to the secretary, and he said that dogs aren't allowed in the clubhouse or on the terrace, but there is an area they can be left in under some stairs..... he was pretty apologetic about these rules.
 
So in conversation he did acknowledge that dogs aren't viewed too positively, sadly based on experience of people not clearing up after them.  So the answer is, they are allowed in the grounds, and on a lead etc, but not on the terrace or the clubhouse.  I'm pretty sure they're allowed on the actual beach so they'll have a nice day.
 
Not really sure how much that helps.....
 
I would of course like to see Adele and Orla and I think one more dog whose name I can't remember..... so hopefully that all works a bit?
 
Great news that you and Will are coming.
 
Fran

That's no problem Fran, thank you very much for asking. 

Adele and myself are looking forward to seeing you with Orla and Ava. (Looks like Sunday could be a little wet and windy!)


Many thanks
Andy

Hi Everyone,

Looking forward to the weekend. 

Some extra info for arrival:

AYC is at the end of the town along a long gravel drive (about half a mile). Half way along the gravel drive there is a fork left which takes you up onto the sea wall. Drive along here leaving the clubhouse on your right and the dinghy park and then there is a slip road down off this to the end of the dinghy park. There is more space here for all of us to rig. 

If you miss the fork and get to the club it's not a big deal, just unhitch and walk it through. Hopefully it will all be reasonably obvious. 

Any problems. Give me a buzz.

Fran
07810446377. 

 Great event at Aldeburgh YC - friendly club and some interesting sailing in the river - a depth sounder might have been a useful accessory to have. 3 races sailed on Saturday so we got our money's worth. 
Sunday brought lots of wind and only about a third of the 24 entrants ventured out, after being encouraged into doing so by 3 kids in Oppies who seemed to revel in the conditions. There was a classic battle between Jasper Barnham/Jonny Ratcliffe and Tom Stewart/Phil Dalby - Jasper went into the lead after a masterly move just before the leeward mark - see video on my Facebook page. However, Tom held on to 2nd place to gain overall victory. 

 

 Thanks Keith, great video!
 
And thanks everyone for coming and making it a great event.  There were 23 boats, and the club really enjoyed having us there, and hope we can come back soon.
 
Report to follow.
 
Fran

I loved reading Lucy Burn's event report. Excellent work. You all had good fun then.
 
 I really wanted to go to this meeting, as I have a family connection with the club, but looking back at the weather I am glad I was unable to go as it would have been a disaster for me. I'm useless in those conditions.
 
I do hope the fleet will return to Aldeburgh again. I might actually have my disintegrating hull glued up by then!

 Thanks Mags :)
It was a fantastic event! Lovely place to sail and a super friendly club.
 
Great to be back in a Merlin! 

What a great weekend - thank you Aldeburgh and Team Gifford for organising and welcoming us so well! It was really nice to have everything from an estuary tour to some pretty full on zooming up and down the river.

Hi, can someone kindly email the results in excel format please.
 
Thanks