The 2012 sailing season has already made a start at Saltash Sailing Club. The traditional New Year's Day race took place in some fairly atrocious weather with a stiff wind and driving rain.It still attracted 10 hardy crews out on the water to blow away their hangovers and the usual selection of onshore loafers to stand in the club and mutter darkly, "I wouldn't have done it like that!"

In the two divisions out on the water the winner of the IRC division was our Rear Commodore Sail, Neil Trathen in his yacht 'Elusive' who only narrowly beat Steve Wassel's J24, 'Dogs Jorrocks'. Meanwhile in the PYS class, Mark Hanley's crew of Elvis Presley Impersonators beat the elegant, varnished 5 metre 'Sensa' into second.

Currently,the full programme of races for the 2012 is under development by the sailing committee and this will be available soon to allow you to plan your new season to perfection!

After over 20 years of 'on and off' negotiations Saltash Sailing Club finally did the deal and bought the freehold of the old gasworks. This has been an unique opportunity for the club to increase the area facilities available to members, improve its assets and open up opportunities for generating income for the club. This has been possible through the careful financial management of the club over many years which has allowed the purchase to go through without any additional borrowings or strains on the clubs finances.

The gasworks which originally stood there, was actually closed in 1948 and Since the final removal of the gasholder in the 1980s the site has remained derelict and forlorn. Apart from the occasional use by boat related businesses and various civil engineering contractors, the area has been a bit of a mess. Negotiations with the gas board have been long, tortuous and frustrating but success eventually came at the end of 2011 and the keys are now finally in our possession.  However this is just the start of a new chapter in the club's history. It gives the club an unparalleled opportunity to use the site productively and offer more and better facilities to the members.

In order to get the most out of this acquisition there is still some remedial work that needs to be done. This includes improving the access to the waterside, clearing and leveling the site and ensuring a good supply of power and water. But this has not prevented the area being put to good use from the word go and it is already available for the storage of small craft on trailers etc.

It is good news all round. So Watch this space for plans for the future and ways in which you can help to bring this new site into full use.

This Summer sees the 9th edition of the ever popular cruise to Brest and our twinned town of Plougastel. Since 1988 this event has attracted cruisers and sailors of all ages to cross the channel and enjoy a few days of French hospitality. Final details have yet to be agreed but it will take place starting Friday 3rd of August to coincide with the school holidays and timed to make best use of the tides around this part of Brittany.

This year the cruise is being organised by Bill Caldwell who will lead the fleet in his well-known yacht Growler and there have already been a number of members signing up for the cruise. As soon as details of events are confirmed they will be put up on the website but if you are thinking of cruising in Brittany this summer with family or friends, then this is the event for you.

Details of the club's Winter social programme are now available either at the Club bar or on this website. There is something in it for everyone, from quizzes to lectures and from entertaining talks to convivial dinners. There is even a visit to the Plymouth Planetarium and the wonders of the universe! So there is no excuse to get the winter blues. Just have a look at the programme and you will find something to amuse you and drive away the winter woes.