message from the helm...
MNCC – UPDATE FOR 5th JUNE 2020
I consider myself a very lucky person. I retired several years ago and although I have tried to remain quite active, I feel better prepared for the lockdown and current situation than had I been working fulltime. I can barely imagine the uncertainty, stress and suffering that so many people are experiencing. The Coronavirus epidemic has presented all of us with fresh challenges and I thought I would try to update you with some of my views on what has been happening at MNCC.
We initially had to completely close the club, something I suspect has not happened to MNCC before, and although it was inevitable it was still a sad decision to make. Since then we have tried to keep things ticking over and start to restore some of our facilities. A number of members have contributed to the essential site maintenance and, as we have been allowed to revisit the site, we should all appreciate how beautiful they have kept it looking. I think this shows the very best of our club spirit and what makes MNCC a rather special place.
The committee has continued to function, and I would like to thank everyone of them for rising to the challenge and keeping the club management on track. Our Zoom meetings have been lively and productive as we have tried to consider all aspects of reinstating the club and its facilities. The latest work has come to fruition with getting the Slips and Paint Dock back in use again. We are currently challenged with how to deal with membership applications and reviews, as both processes are clearly in limbo at the moment. We are also considering options for how to hold the AGM, since there is little chance that we will be able to use the traditional format. The social aspects of the club are obviously on hold at the moment, although the online quizzes have been fun and a good meeting place. We are considering how we might start some form of outdoor social gathering and will look to put some ideas in action when government guidelines and our own preparations are in place. I commend you to talk to any of the committee with your ideas and observations.
I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of the club. Our membership is strong, and our finances are healthy. Although MNCC is barely half-steam ahead at the moment I believe we have what it takes pull through and have a great future in all aspects of boating.
Dave Piper
Commodore
Middle Nene Cruising Club
MNCC – UPDATE FOR 13th MAY 2020
Following on from the Government’s announcement to allow a return to outdoor activities, we will partially re-open the club from the 13th May 2020. We will have to comply with the guidelines that any activity needs to be alone or with members of a single household. Social distancing and strict hygiene procedures will obviously need to be followed.
The Clubhouse and the Miller’s Table will remain closed and the toilets will not be accessible. Emergency access to the defibrillator will still be possible. When you touch any shared facility, such as door handles and locks, the main gate and lock, the waterpoints or the toilet disposal facilities, please use a sterile wipe after yourself.
It is unlikely that we will be able to supply disinfectant and sterile wipes so please bring your own with you if you visit the club.
Hopefully we will be able to enjoy this opportunity and get aboard our boats again, although the decision on using the river remains with the EA. Although this is not a return to the social activities we enjoy, it is a welcome first step. Please note the extract from the latest Government Strategy Paper that will be emailed to all members.
COMMODORE'S UPDATE: Monday 4th May
Dear MNCC Members,
The minutes from our committee meeting held on the 3rd April are on the website. You will see that we are now using Zoom to conduct our meetings. There’s not the normal amount to discuss at the moment but membership renewals, reviews and new applications have taken a fair amount of our time. We are also keeping club finances uppermost in our minds and trying to be prudent, given the uncertainties ahead. If you would like to raise any issues with the committee then please email me (or any other committee member) and we will try to deal with it appropriately.
Social events have obviously taken a huge hit and we have started considering how we might have a suitable celebration when we are permitted to use the club again. In the meantime, our Facebook page is staying informative and occasionally humorous. Jim and Nicki ran a great FB quiz a couple of weeks ago and we had a Zoom quiz on Saturday 2nd May. There will more quizzes in the near future so please come and join in as it’s a great way of staying in touch. Please remember that we have an excellent website and we are always looking for new material to put on it. Why not get those fingers moving over your keyboards and see how inventive you can be?!
We have around 100 members regularly using the FB page and any club member can join; simply ask another MNCC member and they will post an invitation which is normally responded to very quickly. Please remember that this is only for MNCC club members.
Some limited essential work is being maintained on site and we all owe huge thanks to those who are doing that work, at a very difficult time. Please remember that the club is officially closed. Should you find yourself at the club for any reason then please try to maintain a very low profile and not draw attention to yourselves or the club.
Here’s hoping for better times ahead and wishing you all the best of health.
MNCC VACANCIES
I hope we would all agree that our club provides great facilities, both on and off the water, at a very reasonable cost. We are only able to do this with the dedication and hard work of our membership. Some individuals put in a tremendous effort throughout the year, while the rest of us do our best to help where and when we can. The committee are always looking at ways to improve the running of the club and try to spread the workload as fairly as possible. We have identified three areas where we would ask for some more help.
GRASS CUTTING
We have around 14 acres of grass to cut. The bulk of this is done with the Tractor and Gang mower. However, there are other areas, such as the banks, around the trees and the borders that are cut using hand mowers. We need a Grounds Person who will be responsible for operating and maintaining the Tractor and Gang and coordinating the rest of the grass cutting. If you think you could be this person then please contact Dave Wright.
Quite a few people already help with the grass cutting. It would be good to identify which individuals are already maintaining which areas. If you would like to continue helping with this task or would like to join the merry band of grass cutters, then please contact Dave Wright.
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Historically we had an Entertainments Rep (who could be a committee member) and took on responsibility for coordinating our social calendar, with the assistance of a separate entertainments team. No individual has come forward recently to fulfil this role. In order to maintain the social events that form such an important part of our club the committee and remaining members of the entertainments team continue to hold regular meetings. Entertainments has been ‘re-branded’ as Events, allowing us to incorporate the work parties and AGM into the calendar. This also helps dispel the idea that the entertainments team provide the entertainment for everyone else.
We already have an active Events Team, holding regular meetings and making sure we have a full and interesting Events Calendar. The requirements and running of upcoming events are discussed and we try to identify members who are prepared to coordinate and help run each event. In order to spread the load, we intend to instigate a volunteer list (similar to the work party list) to encourage more of our membership to get involved.
Ideally, we really need someone (or some couple) to assume overall responsibility for coordinating all of our events and liaising closely with the full committee. This would involve attending the events meetings, maintaining the volunteer list and helping to make sure each event has a coordinator and suitable team of volunteers to help at each event. If you think you might be interested in this type of role then please contact Dave Piper or Dave Brooke for more information.
CLUB SECRETARY
The club secretary is the committee member who prepares the Agenda and records/publishes the Minutes for each committee meeting (including the AGM). The secretary is responsible for sending out occasional correspondence from the committee. The secretary also compiles and distributes the information pack prior to the AGM. We are currently sharing this role within the committee, but it would be better to have a full-time secretary. Another alternative would be for someone to make notes at the committee meetings and draft the minutes, without assuming all the secretarial duties. If you are a full member of the club and would be interested in taking on this role then please discuss with any committee member.
Please don’t be shy – we would rather discuss these jobs with any interested member, even if you then decide that the job is not for you.
Even if you are not able to make such a commitment please look out for the volunteer forms and put your name forward to help with individual events. Many hands make light work and mean we can all make the most of our club.
Best Regards
MNCC Committee
December 10th 2019
MNCC – UPDATE FOR 5th JUNE 2020
I consider myself a very lucky person. I retired several years ago and although I have tried to remain quite active, I feel better prepared for the lockdown and current situation than had I been working fulltime. I can barely imagine the uncertainty, stress and suffering that so many people are experiencing. The Coronavirus epidemic has presented all of us with fresh challenges and I thought I would try to update you with some of my views on what has been happening at MNCC.
We initially had to completely close the club, something I suspect has not happened to MNCC before, and although it was inevitable it was still a sad decision to make. Since then we have tried to keep things ticking over and start to restore some of our facilities. A number of members have contributed to the essential site maintenance and, as we have been allowed to revisit the site, we should all appreciate how beautiful they have kept it looking. I think this shows the very best of our club spirit and what makes MNCC a rather special place.
The committee has continued to function, and I would like to thank everyone of them for rising to the challenge and keeping the club management on track. Our Zoom meetings have been lively and productive as we have tried to consider all aspects of reinstating the club and its facilities. The latest work has come to fruition with getting the Slips and Paint Dock back in use again. We are currently challenged with how to deal with membership applications and reviews, as both processes are clearly in limbo at the moment. We are also considering options for how to hold the AGM, since there is little chance that we will be able to use the traditional format. The social aspects of the club are obviously on hold at the moment, although the online quizzes have been fun and a good meeting place. We are considering how we might start some form of outdoor social gathering and will look to put some ideas in action when government guidelines and our own preparations are in place. I commend you to talk to any of the committee with your ideas and observations.
I remain cautiously optimistic about the future of the club. Our membership is strong, and our finances are healthy. Although MNCC is barely half-steam ahead at the moment I believe we have what it takes pull through and have a great future in all aspects of boating.
Dave Piper
Commodore
Middle Nene Cruising Club
MNCC – UPDATE FOR 13th MAY 2020
Following on from the Government’s announcement to allow a return to outdoor activities, we will partially re-open the club from the 13th May 2020. We will have to comply with the guidelines that any activity needs to be alone or with members of a single household. Social distancing and strict hygiene procedures will obviously need to be followed.
The Clubhouse and the Miller’s Table will remain closed and the toilets will not be accessible. Emergency access to the defibrillator will still be possible. When you touch any shared facility, such as door handles and locks, the main gate and lock, the waterpoints or the toilet disposal facilities, please use a sterile wipe after yourself.
It is unlikely that we will be able to supply disinfectant and sterile wipes so please bring your own with you if you visit the club.
Hopefully we will be able to enjoy this opportunity and get aboard our boats again, although the decision on using the river remains with the EA. Although this is not a return to the social activities we enjoy, it is a welcome first step. Please note the extract from the latest Government Strategy Paper that will be emailed to all members.
COMMODORE'S UPDATE: Monday 4th May
Dear MNCC Members,
The minutes from our committee meeting held on the 3rd April are on the website. You will see that we are now using Zoom to conduct our meetings. There’s not the normal amount to discuss at the moment but membership renewals, reviews and new applications have taken a fair amount of our time. We are also keeping club finances uppermost in our minds and trying to be prudent, given the uncertainties ahead. If you would like to raise any issues with the committee then please email me (or any other committee member) and we will try to deal with it appropriately.
Social events have obviously taken a huge hit and we have started considering how we might have a suitable celebration when we are permitted to use the club again. In the meantime, our Facebook page is staying informative and occasionally humorous. Jim and Nicki ran a great FB quiz a couple of weeks ago and we had a Zoom quiz on Saturday 2nd May. There will more quizzes in the near future so please come and join in as it’s a great way of staying in touch. Please remember that we have an excellent website and we are always looking for new material to put on it. Why not get those fingers moving over your keyboards and see how inventive you can be?!
We have around 100 members regularly using the FB page and any club member can join; simply ask another MNCC member and they will post an invitation which is normally responded to very quickly. Please remember that this is only for MNCC club members.
Some limited essential work is being maintained on site and we all owe huge thanks to those who are doing that work, at a very difficult time. Please remember that the club is officially closed. Should you find yourself at the club for any reason then please try to maintain a very low profile and not draw attention to yourselves or the club.
Here’s hoping for better times ahead and wishing you all the best of health.
MNCC VACANCIES
I hope we would all agree that our club provides great facilities, both on and off the water, at a very reasonable cost. We are only able to do this with the dedication and hard work of our membership. Some individuals put in a tremendous effort throughout the year, while the rest of us do our best to help where and when we can. The committee are always looking at ways to improve the running of the club and try to spread the workload as fairly as possible. We have identified three areas where we would ask for some more help.
GRASS CUTTING
We have around 14 acres of grass to cut. The bulk of this is done with the Tractor and Gang mower. However, there are other areas, such as the banks, around the trees and the borders that are cut using hand mowers. We need a Grounds Person who will be responsible for operating and maintaining the Tractor and Gang and coordinating the rest of the grass cutting. If you think you could be this person then please contact Dave Wright.
Quite a few people already help with the grass cutting. It would be good to identify which individuals are already maintaining which areas. If you would like to continue helping with this task or would like to join the merry band of grass cutters, then please contact Dave Wright.
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Historically we had an Entertainments Rep (who could be a committee member) and took on responsibility for coordinating our social calendar, with the assistance of a separate entertainments team. No individual has come forward recently to fulfil this role. In order to maintain the social events that form such an important part of our club the committee and remaining members of the entertainments team continue to hold regular meetings. Entertainments has been ‘re-branded’ as Events, allowing us to incorporate the work parties and AGM into the calendar. This also helps dispel the idea that the entertainments team provide the entertainment for everyone else.
We already have an active Events Team, holding regular meetings and making sure we have a full and interesting Events Calendar. The requirements and running of upcoming events are discussed and we try to identify members who are prepared to coordinate and help run each event. In order to spread the load, we intend to instigate a volunteer list (similar to the work party list) to encourage more of our membership to get involved.
Ideally, we really need someone (or some couple) to assume overall responsibility for coordinating all of our events and liaising closely with the full committee. This would involve attending the events meetings, maintaining the volunteer list and helping to make sure each event has a coordinator and suitable team of volunteers to help at each event. If you think you might be interested in this type of role then please contact Dave Piper or Dave Brooke for more information.
CLUB SECRETARY
The club secretary is the committee member who prepares the Agenda and records/publishes the Minutes for each committee meeting (including the AGM). The secretary is responsible for sending out occasional correspondence from the committee. The secretary also compiles and distributes the information pack prior to the AGM. We are currently sharing this role within the committee, but it would be better to have a full-time secretary. Another alternative would be for someone to make notes at the committee meetings and draft the minutes, without assuming all the secretarial duties. If you are a full member of the club and would be interested in taking on this role then please discuss with any committee member.
Please don’t be shy – we would rather discuss these jobs with any interested member, even if you then decide that the job is not for you.
Even if you are not able to make such a commitment please look out for the volunteer forms and put your name forward to help with individual events. Many hands make light work and mean we can all make the most of our club.
Best Regards
MNCC Committee
December 10th 2019
A message from the helm...
WELCOME TO ALL MNCC MEMBERS
Having just taken on the mantle as your Commodore, I would like to say what a pleasure it has been so far. I never realised what a steep learning curve it would be and still I keep being asked questions that I don’t know the answer to. But that is one of the best things about this club – there’s always someone to ask. Sometimes you even get a sensible answer!
This short note is a massive thank you to Anita, Lynda and Karen for taking on the task of updating our online presence. I hope it will also serve as a future thanks to all of you for supplying new material that will keep entertaining the rest of us.
So, enjoy this ‘spanking’ new website! Professionally put together from within our own membership, as happens with so many other facets of this great club. We will do our best to keep the website up to date with information and you can expect to see more as it develops. Your articles, stories and photos will also help to keep the website more meaningful and of interest to our membership and the wider world as appropriate. Facebook will also continue to be a great method of circulating breaking news and up to date event information. There’s even a ‘blog’, not that I have the faintest idea what that is! So now we have the vehicles for posting ‘instant’ thoughts, in addition to more contemplative items suitable for the longer term. So it’s over to you to have your say.
October 21st 2019
WELCOME TO ALL MNCC MEMBERS
Having just taken on the mantle as your Commodore, I would like to say what a pleasure it has been so far. I never realised what a steep learning curve it would be and still I keep being asked questions that I don’t know the answer to. But that is one of the best things about this club – there’s always someone to ask. Sometimes you even get a sensible answer!
This short note is a massive thank you to Anita, Lynda and Karen for taking on the task of updating our online presence. I hope it will also serve as a future thanks to all of you for supplying new material that will keep entertaining the rest of us.
So, enjoy this ‘spanking’ new website! Professionally put together from within our own membership, as happens with so many other facets of this great club. We will do our best to keep the website up to date with information and you can expect to see more as it develops. Your articles, stories and photos will also help to keep the website more meaningful and of interest to our membership and the wider world as appropriate. Facebook will also continue to be a great method of circulating breaking news and up to date event information. There’s even a ‘blog’, not that I have the faintest idea what that is! So now we have the vehicles for posting ‘instant’ thoughts, in addition to more contemplative items suitable for the longer term. So it’s over to you to have your say.
October 21st 2019