Quay fair day Sunday 29th June 2025.

Quay Fair day is here once again, so on Sunday we will be moving the Happy Return from the north arm to the Ross bridge at about 9:15 in the morning. A small crew will be needed for this movement so if you are available and would like to help, then please contact Mark. We will muster at 9am onboard the boat.

Happy return will be returning to the north arm at about 5:30pm, so once again a small crew will be needed.

Quay Fair Day starts in earnest from 10:30 in the morning and finishes at 4 in the afternoon. This is a terrific opportunity for us to fly the flag, meet old faces and endeavour to recruit new members.

Throughout the day we will have two or three members on the quay by the boat to facilitate this opportunity.

If you would like to take part then please let Mark know, either 10:30 to 1pm or 1pm to 4pm, take your pick. Use “Email Skipper Mark” on the Sailing Programme page.

MBLA: Forthcoming events.

Dear Members

We are properly into the sailing season now and we have some great sailing in the program; we also have some exciting projects starting which the committee are looking for your support to complete.

Firstly, I urge you to have a look at the sailing program as we are shortly to have some Scillies sails and Looe Lugger festival which are fantastic events not to be missed so contact the relevant skippers to book your place!

Mevagissey Tosher “Mispah”

Secondly, from 1st of July we are to take on the 1981 built Mevagissey Tosher “Mispah”

She’s a lovely little 20ft two masted standing lug day sailor which ideal for our training program as she’s light and easy to handle so great for our members who find the weight of Happy Return a challenge to crew.

She will also help with our program of sailing with the cadets & enable sails in the bay when the winds are a little light for HR. Mispah needs a bit of work to get her shipshape and ready to sail so if you would like to be involved, please message Mark M or myself.

Fundraising Appeal

Thirdly and most importantly as you may have seen we have launched a fundraising appeal for Happy Returns 120th year. It’s 22 years since her last refit and she is becoming in need of re- caulking and having her fixings replaced.

This entails her masts being removed and then hauled out of the water onto a hard standing so that the work may begin. We are currently looking at locations for this to happen and getting quotes for the work.

It is intended to make grant applications, however if we are not successful in this, we are prepared to go it alone as was done on the first refit and fund raise to support the work as we go.

We are hoping any works will not impact on our sailing program, but should this happen we have Mispah to keep us sailing in the bay.

These projects are intended to make Happy Return and our association stronger by offering more diverse sailing opportunities and increasing our active membership and therefore our income.

Thank you for your support.

Happy sailing

James

Chairman MBLA

If you are interested in helping in any of the above, please contact myself or Mark Mitchel.

Chairman's Newsletter

Dear Members,

We are now starting our 2025 sailing season so please take a look at the programme and contact the skippers to make your bookings.

There’s lots of exciting sailing this year including the Looe Lugger festival.

On the social side we start with our season opening BBQ to be held on Wednesday 21st May at Penzance sailing club 19:00 for 19:30.

Price per person £15.00 for splendid meats and salads, the bar will also be open for our use.

Please book your place with me and make payment to the usual MBLA account with reference BBQ.

Hope to see as many of you as possible to kick off what looks to be a great 120th year for Happy Return.

Happy sailing

James

Notice of AGM

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Mounts Bay Lugger Association will be held at Penzance Sailing Club on Thursday 20th March. The meeting will commence at 19:30 sharp.

The sailing club will be open from 19:00.

This AGM provides a valuable opportunity for all members to present their questions and ideas for consideration by the committee. Your input is essential to the continued success and growth of our association.

We have vacancies on the committee that need to be filled. If you are interested in contributing your time and expertise, please consider putting your name forward. The committee is made up of members who bring not just nautical knowledge but many other skills and thoughts to the table, so do not think that you don’t have anything to offer. All points of view are valuable to the successful running of the association.

For those interested in crew merchandise, I will have polo shirts, sailing caps and warm hats plus tee shirts for sale on the night.

On completion of the AGM, we will be introducing this season’s sailing program.

We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your valuable contributions.

James Walker

Talk - Divers life in the Antarctic

On Thursday 23rd January at PZ sailing club 19.00 for 19.30 and is a pictorial talk on a diver’s life in the Antarctic by Rupert Johnson.

Rupert is a seasoned deep sea diver and project manager who has dived world wide and has fast experience of the underwater world, taking many fascinating photos throughout his extensive career.

RSPV to James please by email, text or WhatsApp.

Mince Pie and Film Night

Following on from our successful Curry and Lugger racing night we have another further event for December.

On Wednesday 11th December at PZ sailing club 19:00 for 19:30 start and is a festive mince pie and movie night.

The films will feature Red Sails in the Bay a splendid film on Luggers in Mounts Bay narrated by our very own John Tellam, a very interesting and informative documentary. This will be accompanied by films of our recent trip to France and a look back at our visit to Folkstone as part of the round Britain relay in the early 2000s.

The bar will be open and mince pies a plenty.

RSPV to James please by email, text or WhatsApp.

Curry Night

Dear Happy Returners

Our season will be closing soon so please have a look at the sailing program and get yourself booked on with the relevant skipper.

On the subject our close of season. Our Lugger racing and curry night is set for Wednesday 13th November at the Penzance sailing club (please see poster below)

A great meal and fun betting on the Luggers is a certainty! (who’ll give me odds on Barnabas 😂)

Menu choice is mild chicken, hotter beef or vegan.

These are supported by naan breads, pompadoms and chutneys. And my free raffle!

To book your spot please email me with your menu choice and make payment of £15 per person to the MBLA account. (Please put "CURRY" in the Payee Reference Box).

We now have a membership of 169 so this is strictly first booked first in.

Don’t delay email me today!😂

James Walker

MBLA chairperson

Mount's Bay Lugger Association

www.happyreturn.org

Registered Charity No. 1050517

September Sailing

Hi Happy Return Sailors,

There are some changes to Septembers Sailing Programme.

Mark Mitchell is away on holiday so the sail planned for Friday 20th September, Dave will skipper and be the point of contact. There are still places available, muster 16.30 for 17.00 departure. return in the dark around 21.00? If interested please contact skipper Dave.

For Sunday 22nd September, Tim Evens will skipper, NOT Dave as per SP. To book please contact Tim on his mobile. Again muster 17.00 for 17.30 departure.

Note: Tim also has spaces for Wednesday 11th September, Morning Sail Muster 08.30 for 09.00 departure. To book please contact Tim on mobile.

"A shining example of a well run heritage boat organisation."