Winter Maintenance

Hi all,
 
Happy Return's weekly winter maintenance program kicks off on Saturday 18th January and there will be two weekly sessions as follows:
 
On Saturdays commencing at 10.30.  This session will supervised by John van der Hoff, john@vanderhoff.org.  Mobile: 07775 607574.
 
On Wednesdays commencing at 10.00.  This session will be supervised by James Walker, james21501@outlook.com.  Mobile: 07387 550719.
 
Any help you can give with the maintenance work will be greatly appreciated.  You do not have to make any prior commitment, just turn up at your convenience on the day if you can spare a few hours. 

You don't need any particular skills for this work, although we are always looking for members who have skills at DIY level in electrics(12v)/electronics, engineering (engine maintenance and the like), carpentry/joinery, etc. 

There is a lot of work to be completed before Happy Return is ready to sail again, so please lend a hand.  Please remember to wear overalls or old clothes, foot and head wear for this work. 

It can get mucky! Safety gear such as dust masks, safety glasses and gloves will be provided.

These maintenance days are traditionally very relaxed and good fun with lots of banter.

I hope to see you on board.
 
Thanks,

John.


Historical Officer

As you know HR is over 114 years old and has seen many owners and homes since she was launched in Porthleven in 1905.

She represents a unique history of a Cornish heritage vessel and is a testament to her builders and subsequent owners over the years and indeed to the members of our association past and present who have refurbished and maintained her.

Sadly the one thing our association lacks is an accessible and comprehensive archive in one place that records not only her past history but also our resent history and that is up to date on a yearly basis recording her adventures at sea and her refits.

How can you help?

Your association is looking for someone who can undertake this task as a historical officer

The main thing required is enthusiasm and an interest in history.

Please note this role doesn’t need to be taken by a current member so it could be a friend you have or family member who may not be interested in sailing but is interested in people, history and importantly supporting Cornish history.

If you think you might be that person or know someone who is please, contact John Van der Hoff to hear further details of this important supporting position by phone or use the “Email Skipper John v” button on the sailing calendar page.

Talk by Jan Pentreath - 12 November

This is to remind you that the first of our winter evening events is on Tuesday 12th November at 7:30pm in the Penzance Sailing Club.

This will be a talk by Jan Pentreath on West Cornwall Fishing Villages, (a historic Photographic record).

For those of you who have not attended one of Jan's presentations in the past I can assure you that it is well worth coming out on a dark winters night. there will be a £2.00 admission charge to help cover the cost of the sailing club and also to support the MBLA /Jan's nominated Charity.

The Sailing club is located on the Penzance Albert quay adjacent to the wharf-side car park which is free at this time of night.

The bar will be open for your liquid refreshments so please come along and support what will prove to be a very entertaining evening.

Any questions please contact Skipper Mark.

See you soon.

Evening Fundraising - Porthleven - 8 August

Hi all,

MBLA enjoyed a fantastic night of support and fundraising last night (Friday 8th) at Out of the Blue, Porthleven.

It was hoped to sail HR to Porthleven to support the local lifeboat weekend but because of the bad weather this was not possible.

The evening was supported by a talk with slide show and some short videos about the history of Porthleven given by local historian Roger Hoskins.

Mark Mitchell gave a PowerPoint presentation and some short videos about the history, renovation and current use of Happy Return.

Between the breaks to refill glasses and buy a pasty kindly donated by Simon Stone (Out of the Blue) the Cadgwith singers entertained us with sea shanties & Cornish folk songs.

The event raised £361.08 from sale of raffle tickets, sale of merchandise, donations and the proceeds of the sale of pasties.

Many thanks to James Walker for organising the event, arranging raffle prizes etc. and to Mark Mitchell for preparing and showing the PowerPoint presentation of HR and all those members who worked tirelessly selling raffle tickets, donating prizes etc.

Finally a thank you to John van der Hoff & Nick Darling who missed the event because they had to move HR to safety to inside the wet dock for protection from the forthcoming bad weather late at night when the lock gates were open.

Many Thanks,

Dave.

Evening Talk - Porthleven - Thursday 8 August 7.30pm

This week on Thursday the 8th we are giving a presentation about the Happy Return and the MBLA.

Start time is just after 7:30pm at Out of the Blue which is in Mill Lane, Porthleven. TR13 9LJ.

This is a fundraiser event which is open to the general public, all are welcome.

We will be holding a raffle draw during the evening so all donations are welcome but please don't bring on the night unless by prior arrangement with James Walker.

Lastly we will need some volunteers on the evening to help, if you are available and willing to help please call James Walker or Mark Mitchell.

Many thanks

Plant Sale

The sale raised £122.60 for MBLA.

Many thanks to Elizabeth Wood for organising this event in the heart of pagan St.Just.

Thanks also to the support team of Di Copperwheat, Pat Beaghen and Roger Roberts, and those members who supplied cakes and plants.

Best wishes, and keep sailing!

John VD Hoff.

Virtual Plantpot

As you know one of our members is holding a table top sale on this Saturday 13th July to raise much needed funds for your Association.

It has just come to my attention that there have been some donations made to MBLA via the new Facebook DONATE button but as yet not transferred to MBLA's a/c.

The reason for this is Facebook require we reach a minimum amount of donations of £100.00 before they transfer to our a/c. (I must give our Facebook manager much credit for his perseverance and hard work setting up the DONATE button process on Facebook).

So, how about helping Liz with her Cake & Plant stall by visiting our Facebook site (Mounts Bay Lugger Association), if you have a Facebook a/c, just search for Mounts Bay Lugger Association and donate whatever you can afford to buy a virtual cake or plant?

I have just donated £10.00 to buy a virtual plant. Gardening is not my favourite hobby so this plant should be easy to water and feed and look after itself. Are you in the same boat as me?

We need to get the funds held by Facebook over £100:00 (One Hundred Pounds).

Many Thanks,

Dave.

Baking for Boating - Saturday 13 July

Elizabeth Wood is organizing a cake and plant stall which is going to be outside the Commercial in St. Just this Saturday (13 July).

All funds raised are in support of the MBLA. Liz would appreciate donations of cakes, also plants.

You may either meet Liz in Lidl's car park Penzance at 4pm on Friday 12th July or phone her on 01736 361221 to arrange collection or delivery of items.

Alternatively they could be delivered direct to the stall after 9am Saturday 13th.

If you can spare the time then I am sure that Liz would appreciate some help and support in this endeavour.

So lets all get baking for boating.

Many Thanks

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