What a shame

byron

byron

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For nigh on 30 years Osney Cruising Club have rallied to Ashmount House for the August Bank Holiday Cruise. This year, no rally, the club has ceased to exist for one reason and another. Something to do with their Marina being split. It's a shame they were a delightful crowd who always managed a great time. Eileen and I will sorely miss them. It's going to feel strange to have no rally there on a Bank Holiday.
 
byron said:
For nigh on 30 years Osney Cruising Club have rallied to Ashmount House for the August Bank Holiday Cruise. This year, no rally, the club has ceased to exist for one reason and another. Something to do with their Marina being split. It's a shame they were a delightful crowd who always managed a great time. Eileen and I will sorely miss them. It's going to feel strange to have no rally there on a Bank Holiday.
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Harleyford have just started a new boat club - perhaps they could be persuaded to takeup the vacant slot??
 
Common problem,older hands who used to organise the events and press gang others into turning up or getting involved are all going up to the great marina in the sky.
Simply not enough new entrants to the hobby and those that do are too busy earning a living to get involved. ?
 
boatone said:
The ATYC Rally was to be held at Kingston this year (August Bank Holiday weekend) but has been cancelled as, according to the ATYC Notice Board, not enough boats had committed by the end of July.
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Strange - seems odd nobody wants to spend their bank holiday weekend tied to a tow path in Surbiton...
 
Richard Shead said:
Strange - seems odd nobody wants to spend their bank holiday weekend tied to a tow path in Surbiton...
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Ha ha, you are a wag, Richard!

TBH the ATYC have a major problem when it comes to holding an annual rally as there are very few places able to accommodate a large number of boats together with the related facilities for marquees, dining etc. As I understand it the pattern has been a 3 year cycle - Henley, Kingston and West India Docks. Henley is now denied to them as a result of restrictions by HRR and the landowners at Medmenham. Kingston, as you infer, is not a very inshrining venue and facilities are difficult. West India Dock seems to be popular but the location will not encourage many of the upriver boaters to attend. Almost 75% of ATYC member clubs are based on the non tidal river and, imho, it is a great shame that no suitable venue can be found to encourage the participation of the many boaters that choose not to navigate the tideway.
 
The big problem is finding a venue... Henley refused to allow a rally. Last years (very successful rally) was held in West India Dock.

Beale Park a few years ago was unpopular (muddy etc). Not many places can cater for around 100 boats.

I am sure the ATYC would value suggestions of venues that would be prepared to allow a Rally.

Next year the ATYC Rally WILL be held at West India Dock, so we are very interested in proposals for August 2017.
 
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As you say, its a venue that can cater for 100 boats and they are few and far between.

I was perhaps being mean about Kingston but ultimately its people time and for many valuable holiday so a "nice" or interesting venue is essential.

As a kid I went to a good few and Henley was always the one for me, I guess Beale Park is a little too out of the way unless you have a car?

A tough gig and I don't envy the organisers in trying to find a location, perhaps one of the large marinas may be an option? I have been to overseas shows where they have done this.

Good luck

Hold on.......what about the chap at the top of this thread......how many can he take ;)
 
Richard Shead said:
Hold on.......what about the chap at the top of this thread......how many can he take ;)
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The most I have ever had is 32 that was an Oxford Ditch Rally back in 93 or 94. John Blake was Commodore and I was Vice. The boats were banked triple out in places.
I could pull a few strings and for a small fee I'm sure I could get the local Angling Club to surrender enough bank to accommodate more boats but I fear this venue is too far upstream for many boats.
 
Thanks for that Byron. I will mention the possibility to the ATYC committee next time I see them. I am sure Swan Radcot would be ok, and maybe UTMYC.

Windsor and Bray have been known to venture up to your part of the river too.

It would be great to have a proper non-tidal rally once more.
 
Ramage said:
Thanks for that Byron. I will mention the possibility to the ATYC committee next time I see them. I am sure Swan Radcot would be ok, and maybe UTMYC.

Windsor and Bray have been known to venture up to your part of the river too.

It would be great to have a proper non-tidal rally once more.
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Far, far better that Childe Beale be utilised. They even have a facility to hold a dinner. It would also be easy to organise a boat taxi service to Goring for shoppers. I'm sure Tim Deaton would be happy to put one on.
 
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