MBLA Winter Talk on Wednesday 19 February

The Submerged Landscape of Mount’s Bay

Our series of Winter Events continues with an illustrated talk by eminent local geologist Francis Howie on “The Submerged Landscape of Mount’s Bay”.

Francis worked for many years at London’s Natural History Museum, retired to Penwith, and is now Chairman of the Cornwall Geoconservation Group.

He will explain how the Bay area has undergone huge changes over many millions of years, and how it has come to be how we know it today.

This talk will take place on Wednesday 19th February in the function room of the Lugger Inn, Marine Terrace, Penzance, starting at 7.30 pm.

As before, there will be a £2 admission fee, and a collection for a charity of the speaker’s choice.

So – do come along. Hear about the Legend of Lyonesse, discover a sunken forest, and find out where the old volcano is now.

We look forward to seeing you there.

John Diston MBLA Secretary

Health and Safety Officer Needed

YOUR ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU to develop, implement and manage an effective HEATH AND SAFETY POLICY.

Although there is no statutory requirement for the Association to have an H&S policy, it most certainly has a duty of care under common law to take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of injury to our members and others whilst present on Happy Return either sailing, boarding/disembarking or engaged in maintenance work.

Although some experience of H&S related matters would be an advantage, we would welcome expressions of interest from anyone (not limited to members) who would be willing to take on this very important task.

There is a huge amount of information on the web to help with the formulation of a policy, and in particular https://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/leisure/amateur-sports-club.htm would be a good place to start from.

Any assistance you can give on this will be greatly appreciated by the committee. Should you decide to grasp the nettle, please note that there are no performance targets or other pressures attached to the task. All that we (the committee) expect from you is periodic progress reports, ideally resulting in an embryonic policy for implementation by the end of July 2020 (or earlier if you insist!).

If you can't resist this wonderful opportunity please contact Skipper John vd H using the button on the sailing calendar page.

YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO.

John van der Hoff

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.

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