The expression which starts "He who hesitates" seems apt as a slight hesitation seems to have qualified me to do the job of Commodore when asked if I would be interested. Unlike a captive of a press gang party, I am looking forward to my time serving as your Commodore.
It is a very good time to become Commodore as we have a busy and exciting year ahead. As you probably all know, I am a keen sailor and dinghy sailing has always been my main interest and despite having a dodgy back I still manage to climb into a Mirror dinghy occasionally.

This year we have some new dinghies arriving in the shape of four 'Laser Picos'. We ordered them on the strength of the interest and commitment shown by our junior members last year. Our junior sailing is starting to pick up thanks to some hard work by members of the club.

The Sunday morning sailing and bacon butties are becoming very popular with the junior members. But we do need more help from parents and club members, whether it is in the galley doing the bacon butties or helping with the rescue boat, launching or retrieving dinghies, start and finish line for the races or even sailing.  Don't think that because you haven't any experience in any of these aspects you can't help. We are a very informal group and you won't be thrown in at the deep end!! So names please to Committee members. Do not forget junior members are the life blood of a club and hopefully will go on to become full members and take over the running of the club when we are all past it!!

Apart from various races finishing in Alderney like the R.O.R.C. and J.O.G. our main event is the Alderney Regatta, 9th - 12th July (make a note in your diaries). Hopefully this will be as successful as last year, many of the competitors from last year are keen to return plus some new ones so it looks to be as popular as ever. Preparation will start soon to organise the event with sponsorship already coming in - thanks to Johnny Fielder.

We also have our own cruiser races during the year and I am sure most owners are only too pleased to take members out on their boats if asked.

So don't hang back - let's see more members out on the water. The club of course is not just about sailing members and we have many social members who enjoy the facilities of the club, some who have given up sailing and some who have never sailed but enjoy the convivial atmosphere of the club.

My year in office starts with great optimism but don't forget this is your club, you make it a success or not. The new committee can only do so much, but they always need more help so don't be shy - get in touch.

I must thank my daughter Elizabeth who has taken on the job of my editor. It is a standing joke in our household that my writing could test the most expert graphologist, so she has the task of translating my writing for Johnny Fielder.
Anyway, despite reaching my half century in February I shall endeavour to be an active commodore. Don't forget if you have any suggestions or disagree with what I am doing - let me know, don't stand at the bar complaining!
If I start rabbiting on about past voyages or giving dim and distant glimpses of the obvious just shut me up.

Here's to a successful 1999 season.

Peter Palmer
Commodore