Skills and Frills Weekend 2007
Click here for pictures of the day

So after months of very careful preparation (or was it just luck) it was all coming together, the committee had organised a bank holiday 'DO' at Bablock, complete with a new event to challenge our many skills ' Boat Handling'. Or were the river conditions going to beat us?. Fortunately the levels dropped, the flow eased and even the weather was good. The turn out was very good with some boats mooring a twopenny bus ride away.

Saturday morning was spent preparing the test site, having a briefing and organising a demonstration of the boat handling and generally doing our headless chicken impression. Two o'clock and a spit and dead pig arrive. Many thanks to the 'young ones' for attending to the pig for most of the afternoon, although they didn't take much persuading as it was only a short walk to the bar. We had thought of doing a few games and things in the afternoon but with one thing and another this didn't materialise but most people seemed happy generally mooching about and socialising.

Saturday evening, apart from the pig roast, we hadn't really organised anything in particular so it was a bonus that John Douse and John Hill provided us with the evenings entertainment. John Douse gave us some tunes on his little mandolin and did a few numbers with John Hill who also did some solo numbers and for a grand finale demonstrated his fine acting skills with a magnificent interpretation of the Love Theme from Titanic, not sure his boat would get a safety certificate though, not with those legs. Thanks to them and all those who helped with the pig roast, carving, serving etc.

Sunday morning up bright and early for the boat handling competition. 14 boats had entered with a good mix of boat sizes and types. Chris on Bullrush drew the short straw and was first to set the standard, which turned out to be quite high. Dave & Grace on Moppett were next. Dave seemed to be in a hurry but assures me that's his normal approach speed when coming in to moor. And so the competition progressed. Steve & Val on Escapology took the scenic route down to the buoy, and as crew communication was part off the competition Geoff on Aquacadabra thought he would show us how he talks to Karen. Well I've never heard language like it before or since. Words like petal, precious, sweetness, darling etc. Needless to say it didn't influence the judges one little bit. The Commodore was the final entrant in his new boat, his crew (Jill) did an excellent job but the skippers protestations about an unfamiliar boat cut no ice with the audience.

All the crews did very well with no major incidents or mutinies and many thanks to all those who took part. People said they did learn things which was the overall purpose of the exercise. We can now all tie a bowline! And spring away from a mooring! So all in all it was felt to have been a great success. We must of course thank the judges for their time and efforts Paul Hayes, Nigel Stanton, George Jarman, Kevin Roberts, John Hawthorn & Brenda Butcher. Despite various threats and blackmail attempts they managed to maintain their neutrality and did a good job for us.

The winners of the new 'Eddie Maisey Memorial Shield' were Tom ( Bilbo Baggins Too) and his crew Lyn Hatter followed closely into second place by Fred (Lady Merrin) and his crew. Congratulations to them.

The weekend was rounded off with a dinner dance on Sunday evening which was very well attended. It was nice to once again see all our ladies dressed up in their finest and the men sweating in jackets and dickie bows! An excellent evenings entertainment was provided by Red Wine.

Once again, thanks to all those who entered into the spirit of the weekend and made it such a success.