Newsletter September 2005

Annual General Meeting [back to top]

This year's annual general meeting will take place at 8:00pm on Monday 10th October 2005 at the clubhouse.

The AGM is a constitutional requirement of the club and is an opportunity for club members to satisfy themselves that the club has been properly managed during the course of the prior year, for changes to be made to the club's constitution, and for the election of members to the management committee. As some of the incumbent committee members have decided not to stand for re-election, members are positively encouraged to take a more active role in the management of the club.

If you would like to take a more active role in the management and development of the club, and would consider volunteering for election to the management committee, please contact any member of the current committee.

Open Boating [back to top]

If you are interested in learning to paddle an open boat, please either make your self know to Andy Noblett or Neville Wilkinson or put your name on the poster by the entrance door at the clubhouse.

When sufficient expressions of interest are received, Andy and Neville will be organising an open boating course,
which will take place at a time which is as convenient as possible for all those who are interested.

Junior Paddlers [back to top]

Parents of paddlers aged 11 and under are reminded that it is important for them to arrange for themselves or a responsible adult to remain at the club while their child is paddling. In the past, we have occasionally had children who have stopped paddling before the end of a session, and for their own safety, a coach has had to leave the water to supervise them, which obviously detracts from the work the coach is there to do.

Your Views Please [back to top]

As the committee's year comes to an end, we would very much like your views of how the year went such as:

• What went well, what didn't?
• What could have been done better, more often, or less often?
• Did things meet with your expectations?
• Can you suggest things that will make the club better for its members?
• Do you have any suggestions for future events?
  

If you have a comment or suggestion to make please write to Marie Heyworth at:
69 Mitton Road,
Whalley, Clitheroe,
Lancashire,
BB7 9RY,
or email info@clitheroecanoeclub.org.uk.

Sports & Community Awards 2005 [back to top]

On Friday 26th August, Ribble Valley Borough Council held the first Sports and Community Awards
ceremony which they hope will become an annual event. The awards were presented to sports clubs which significantly contributed to their community, to volunteers within their clubs who made significant contributions, and to young participants. There were six awards in total:

• Junior Volunteer;
• Adult Volunteer;
• Rising Star;
• Coach of the Year;
• Club of the Year; and
• the Marjorie Partridge Award.

Awards were presented by Councillor Mary Robinson, Mayor of Ribble Valley, and Clitheroe Canoe Club was commended as the runner up to Clitheroe Dolphins swimming club in the Club of the Year section. Particular congratulations go to Robert Anderson who was nominated as runner-up in the Junior Volunteer category, for his contribution to the club over the last 2 years, not only as the Youth representative on the club's management committee, but also as a coach as well.

That was the the summer that was [back to top]

Now that the summer holidays are well and truly behind us, for those who had not noticed, coaching sessions at Chatburn Water have now started again. Saturday sessions are now running as before the summer break:

• 2:00 - 3:30pm - Coaching Session; and
• 3:30 - 5:00pm - Fun Session.

It isn't necessary to book in advance, just turn up on the day. Costs for members will be as before, £4 for each session, or £5 for both.

For those people who like to plan ahead, Saturday afternoon paddling sessions will continue at
Chatburn Water as far into the Winter months as possible whilst demand and conditions permit.

Ribblesdale Pool has now been booked for the pools sessions which will run as in previous years on Saturday evenings between 5 pm and 7 pm from January 7th 2006 through to April. The council has significantly increased the hire costs for the pool, therefore we will have no option but to pass those costs on to people who take part in pool sessions, therefore costs will be higher than last year, but we will try to keep costs as low as possible.

Details of pool sessions and booking forms will be published nearer the time.

Presentation Evening 2005/6 [back to top]

As last year's presentation evening proved to be such a success by holding it this year, and keeping it clear of the Christmas period, the management committee have decided to do the same this year, by holding this year's presentation evening next year.

If that has confused you, all you need to do is to make a note in your
diary for the evening of Saturday 18th February 2006. As last year the Presentation Evening will be held at Langho Village Hall. The event will comprise of the presentation of prizes to club members for their outstanding and not so outstanding performances during the year, a bar, and a ceilidh with live music provided by the Old School Band.

More details and information on how to book your tickets will be available nearer the time.

Thinking of Coaching [back to top]

A critical element contributing to the success of any canoe club is the availability of qualified coaches, and its ability to develop its coaching staff to new levels of achievement and qualification.

The club is always on the look out for people willing and able to give time to train and qualify as a coach in order to pass on the skills and enjoyment of our sport to others. Not only is coaching fun to do, but training to become a coach will provide coaches not only with paddling specific skills but with generic coaching skills which can be used in other aspects of your life.
Training to become a coach is not easy, however the club, and fellow coaches provide the support, experience, and encouragement to trainee coaches to ease the path to qualification.

If you are a 2 star or 3 star paddler aged 16 or over and would like to think about becoming a coach, then contact Andy Noblett (on 01254 248457) who will discuss this with you.

The costs of training to become a coach are subsidised, 1/3 by Lancashire Council for Voluntary Youth Services, and 1/3 by the club. Junior coaches - under 18s - 2/3 by the club, therefore junior coaches can train for free!.

Quote of the year - So far! [back to top]

Jim Nolan describing the stretch of the Lancaster Canal he was planning to take a group on:

"There's a lot of boats, but its dead flat" !!!!!!

Club Merchandise [back to top]

Included with this Newsletter is an order form for club merchandise which is now available. You can buy sweatshirts, gillets, baseball caps, and beanie hats with the Clitheroe Canoe Club logo on. A full range of sizes is available, with prices of:

• £9.50 for hats;
• £18.50 for adult body wear; and
• £15.50 for the children's sizes.

All items are made to order, so please ensure you allow 21 days for delivery.

These excellent high quality fashion items will make you the envy of all your friends and thinking ahead, they will make excellent Christmas presents.