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.