Catterline Gala

The committee would like to thank everyone who helped with setting up, running, and packing up this year's gala and cartie race.  The weekend wouldn't be possible without your assistance.  We'd also like to thank all those who attended the gala and cartie race, your involvement and (hopefully your enjoyment) make  both events worthwhile.

The 2012 gala made a profit of  £1665.63.  The bank balance before the event was £2,949.06 and the balance is now £4,614.69. 

The organisation for the 2013 gala will start soon, if you'd like to be on the committee please contact the current members.

Next Saturday afternoon, the unfinished and unnamed boat will be at the Gala.  Having inspected the boat, please help choose the boat’s name.  We will also have a work bench and a handful of planes for you to do a bit of boatbuilding.

The boat builders ventured out of the shed on Sunday afternoon to get a trailer for the boat's first journey and to cheer Brendan Hall on the River Thames.

Firstly Rob and Doug Mowat’s plastic fishing boat had to be lifted off the trailer.  In preparation it was cleaned out and the water drained out of the bilge.  After starting, using a pump, with three people sitting on the stern to tilt the boat, it was realised that the exercise could be completed by the propping the boat up and siphoning the bilge with a piece of hose pipe – allowing time for a bit of a tidy up in the shed.

The boat will be attending the Gala (Sat, 9th June), albeit in an unfinished state.  The plan is to show the boat off and also have a workbench to enable work to be done on the oars.  There is plenty of wood to be planed off the oars to get then into shape.  So  please come and pick up a plane.

We will also be voting for the boat’s name.  We have had several suggestions and there is still time for more.

Activity picked up with some midweek work and the most dedicated builders out on Sunday.  Rob’s father Rufus also lent a hand and shaped up the breasthooks.  The stern breasthook is now in place.  As is the cox’s foot rest which passed its strength test with both Rob and Tim standing on it (but not at the same time).  Chris took on the task of making the cox’s seat.

Gary and Nick glued the last of the outer gunwales on.  This has been a much more challenging task than expected.  The inconsistencies of the timber has meant that strips have had to be shortened to avoid knots in the wood and then scarphed on to pieces already on the boat.  All in all fiddly work and well done to Gary for preserving with it.  Nick and Gary also glued on the bases for the kabes on the port side. 

It is a been few weeks since the last update, and details of what has been going on in the boatshed are below.

But firstly, we need your help - the boat needs a name.

We are planning to choose the boat’s name at the Gala. The plan is for you to vote for your favourite name at the Gala. But beforehand, we need suggestions. Can you please send me your suggestions plus an explanation of why this should be the name of the Catterline Coastal Rowing boat. These will be displayed at the Gala, so that people can choose their favourite name.

The biggest excitement in April was the screening of a short piece on the project on STV news (about half way through)

Since Easter boat building turnouts have been low. Progress has therefore been a bit slower than perhaps hoped for. The boat will come to the Gala, but will not be ready to be launched. There will be some work that can be done at the Gala.