For those of you wanting some winter entertainment, can I introduce the Bartley Beast.
Bartley Sailing Club run an open series on Saturdays over the winter months. This years dates are the 11 November, 9 December, 13 January, 10 Feburary. The Eagled eyed will note that the December date is the Saturday before the rearranged Merlin Inland Championships (10 December). This is an excellent opportunity to turn a trip to the Midlands into a full weekends sailing. 
In summary: each of the four days consists of two alternate single handed and double handed races. There is a gap to warm up inside the clubhouse with food from Tillys cafe and watch the other fleet race unfold, for example, last year Andy Davis, Nick Craig and Jim Hunt provided a masterclass in OK sailing.
Entries can be made for individual days or for the series. For further information, contact Mark Reddington or myself or see Bartley Sailing Club website where the SIs and NoRs can be found, linked here. 
I look forward to seeing you on the water, 
Nigel Hudson (3662)

Just a quick reminder that the final Bartley Beast event if this Saturaday, 10th Feb.  Its always good to see more Merlinss, January saw Tom and Rachel lead the fleet hone, with Rich Adams and Rob Kennaugh also in the medals and well placed in the overall series.  With home fleet and guest appearences form Matt, Paul Hollis and Colin Andersen the midlands fleet is well represented.  There is some competertive sailing to be had, so look forward to seeing on the water.  Entries for Saturday are still open via Bartley Sailing Club website (https://www.bartleysailingclub.com/event/Beast-Burns-Out )  
Nigel Hudson