Best Wishes,
Peter Mead (Paladin)
PEBC Commodore
The Pike & Eel Boat club is located downstream of St Ives lock in the extensive grounds of the Pike & Eel Hotel. Our social calendar includes cruising, land-based events, dining events and socialising with other boat clubs so there is something for everybody to enjoy and take part in.
PEBC HALLOWEEN / BONFIRE NIGHT
We will be holding the above annual event, which for the new members consists of fireworks, bonfire with food and drinks at the Chalet Bar commencing at 7.00pm. Halloween dress is of course optional.
The cost is £5 each for adults and children under 12 free. We will be providing burgers and soup. For anyone wishing to cook alternative food, the club BBQ will of course be available. The Hotel will not be providing the bar and so you will need to bring your own drinks.
No pre-payment is required for this event, as tickets can be purchased during the day or on the night from John. It would be helpful from the catering point of view, if all those who will be coming could let me know in advance, either by email or telephone call.
For any members who do not moor at the 'Pike' who wish to come by boat, I am sure we will be able to fix you up with a mooring with electricity, if required, as many members boats are already out of the water. Again, please let me know in advance.
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June 2008 Regatta Sunday Prizegiving
June 2008 Regatta Sunday 'Its a Knockout'
June 2008 Regatta Saturday Night Fancy Dress
June 2008 Regatta Saturday Dinghy Events
June 2008 Regatta Saturday Fender Throwing & Dog Handling
June 2008 Commodores Cocktail Party
February 2008 Winter Trip to IOW
December 2007 Christmas Drinks
HEMINGFORD WEEKEND 26TH/27TH JULY
Now that you have all hopefully recovered from the Regatta, thoughts turn to
the next club event which is the Hemingford Weekend on the above dates. One
or two boats will leave the 'Pike' on Friday 25th and stay overnight at St.
Ives on route to Hemingford for Saturday, where we will moor up and
generally relax until the evening.
We have a group booking at the Axe and Compass for a meal on the Saturday
evening and are hoping that you will be able to join us. The menu choices
are shown on the attached booking form, which needs to be returned with your
cheque to John, by 2lst July.
On the Sunday morning, weather permitting, we plan to all set off in the
dinghies to explore the back waters, which should be fun!
Click here for the booking form
MAY/JUNE NEWSLETTER
DEREK BUNYAN
I am very sorry to announce that our Rear Commodore Derek Bunyan passed away recently. Derek joined the club in 2003 and with his jovial humour and sense of fun he quickly became a leading member, taking on the post of Commodore in 2006. In 2007 he and Tricia bought a new sea going Princess and began boating from Lowestoft enjoying time on the Broads. Derek fought his illness with courage and dignity and will be sadly missed by all his many friends. We would like to take this opportunity to send Tricia and family our deepest sympathy at this sad time.
UPWARE AND BURWELL WEEKEND
The late May Bank holiday saw 10 boats travelling to the Five Miles Pub at Upware for the annual dinghy trip down to Burwell.
Saturday was a beautiful sunny day and perfect for the cruise to Upware, 23 of us enjoyed an excellent meal in the pub on Saturday evening, and we were all debating whether the predicted rain and wind would arrive on Sunday. Pitter, Patter, that was the sound that awoke us on Sunday morning an exact repeat performance of last year, the rain grew steadily heavier and by 10.30 it was decided to abandon the trip once again. Some decided to make the journey back to the Pike or to Ely while the rest of us went in the Pub at lunchtime to drown our sorrows. Surely next year it will be third time lucky.
This years Regatta was another fun packed weekend, even though the flooding did its best to put the dampers on certain events. Due to the state of the river it was a real shame that the Upware contingent could not attend by boat. Russell Bryant brought his caravan though and the Upware members who drove at least had somewhere to base themselves.
We managed to get all three marquees up and some chairs and tables set up on Thursday which was a big help, it made setting up for the Commodores Cocktail party on Friday much easier. We were all watching the River steadily rising and falling with each tide, praying that the marquees and Chalet bar would not be swamped.
Dianne Mead again put in lots of hard work to provide a super buffet on Friday evening and everyone enjoyed the disco and karaoke, which followed.
Saturday was overcast with a hint of drizzle in the air but it cleared up in time for the ladies fender throwing which was won for the third year running by Wendy Sheppard from the Upware Club, we really will have to start practising for next year. Steve Mead also retained his title for the Men’s fender throw, although Andy Purvis came a close second.
The Adult dinghy net a ball was held on the main river and with the fast flowing water made for good spectating; I’m not sure those in the dinghies had such a good time, some were rowing and not going anywhere, luckily there were marshals on hand to tow them back in, this event was won by Andy and Ben Purvis who retain their title from last year.
The Children’s dinghy net a ball was held in the relative safety of the marina and was won by Kerry and Connor from the Upware Club.
The ladies dinghy race was also held in the Marina and lots of people lined the banks to watch and shout encouragement, I think lots of ladies had been practising but Georgina Jones took the title with a very fast time and great technique.
Georgina’s daughter Lauren won the children’s race, mum and daughter obviously practise together, well done to both of you.
The boat handling was abandoned due to the strong current but was held instead in the Marina with dinghies. Mike Webber set the course and lots of people said they enjoyed both watching and participating in this event, so we shall consider keeping it in next years programme alongside the main boat handling, Mark Cullum and Lorraine Allen were worthy winners of the trophy.
Dog handling came next and I can tell you we have some very obedient dogs in the club, the ones which weren’t quite so attentive gave everybody a good laugh, this event was won by James with Milly.
There was just time for a spot of relaxing before it was time to get changed into fancy dress for the Hog Roast and disco. There were some very fetching outfits, ladies and gents in Uniforms, soldiers, sailors, land girls and boys, two evacuees a POW, a poor bomb victim and not forgetting our Commodore who looked very like Sir Winston Churchill with Janette as Lady Churchill complete with a fox fur and very fetching red hair.
Everyone tucked into the excellent hog roast and danced afterwards to the disco, we held the raffle, thank you to everyone who donated a prize, the bonus ball, and of course the usual ‘roll a pound’ hopefully another enjoyable evening was had by all.
Sunday dawned a bit misty and murky, but by the time some had emerged from the Hotel after a hearty breakfast the sun had broken through and it turned into a real scorcher. There was a Tombola and Boat Jumble in the marquee, the Schooner race had to be abandoned because the Pike and Eel Hotel could not muster a team, then it was time for the annual It’s a Knockout competition hotly contested between the Pike and Upware Clubs. The Pike won again this year 3 games to 1.
The club barbecue was lit and everyone relaxed and cooked their lunch in the hot sunshine.
The pitching competition was next and Russell from the Upware club proved he could handle a golf club by taking the title this year; the children’s event was won by Ben Purvis.
Beat the Goalie was next and again Ross Tompkins proved to be a formidable goalkeeper with some spectacular saves under his belt, John from Antigua Moon won the Adult title and Hayden Edwins the children’s.
It was decided due to the state of the river it would be too dangerous to hold the boat parade, so the prize giving was brought forward, and everyone gathered to see our Vice Commodore Peter assisted by Dianne, John and Janette hand out the prizes.
It was another fantastic weekend and hopefully everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A big thank you to all who attended and participated in the many events. Thanks also to those who stayed behind to clear away the tables, chairs and Marquees.
We really hope you had a good time and will be back for more next year.
Check out the PEBC website in the next few weeks as Steve Mead will be adding Regatta photos to the Gallery.
Here is the full list of winners below;-
Ship Shape Competiton – Staple Hurst Bonfellow Cup
Ann & Ted Warner PEBC(Anteki)
Ladies Fender Throwing Waverlee Cup
Wendy Sheppard Upware Boat Club
Mens Fender Throwing Pennant Trophy
Steve Mead PEBC
Adult Dinghy net a ball
Andy & Ben Purvis PEBC
Childrens Dinghy net a ball
Connor & Kerry Upware Boat Club
Ladies Dinghy Race (Rowing) James Mead Cup
Georgina Jones PEBC
Childrens Dinghy Race (Rowing)
Lauren Jones PEBC
** ‘Flood Special’ Dinghy with Engine - Boat Handling Course
in Marina (Adults only) Vice Commodore Cup
Mark Cullum and Lorraine Allen PEBC
Runner Up
Georgina & Bradley Jones PEBC
Dog Handling Val Doorne Cup
James with Milly
Runner Up
Kim with Holly
Illuminated Boat Competition Joreena Cup
Paladin
Fancy Dress Adult Male (Bomb Blast Survivor) John Pear
Fancy Dress Adult Female (1940’s Evening Wear) Lorraine Allen
Fancy Dress Child (Naval Lad) Haydn Edwins
Schooner Race (PEBC against Staff of Hotel)
Abandoned lack of support from Hotel Staff
It’s a Knockout – PEBC v Upware Boat Club – Jubilee Shield
Winner of selected games PEBC
Game of Pitching (Adults)
Russell Bryant Upware Boat Club
Game of Pitching (Child)
Ben Purvis PEBC
Beat the Goalie (Adults)
John PEBC Antigua Moon
Beat the Goalie (Child)
Hayden Edwins PEBC (Paladin)
Commodores Cup (Highest points total in 5 selected events)
Paladin PEBC
Runners Up
Little Dorrit PEBC
Best Decorated Boat
Mike & Julie Webber - Rumpus PEBC
Quiz Collinite Cup
John & Dorothy Goodhew PEBC
War Quiz
Richard & Michael Smith PEBC
** (This event was in place of the Boat Handling Competition
which had to be cancelled due to the adverse river conditions,
strong stream advice and flooding)
VHF RADIO COURSE
A number of members have expressed an interest in taking a VHF radio course.
This year’s course is £90 including the cost of the £22 licence fee.
If anyone is interested in taking the course please contact me: -
Linda Skelton on 01462 637592 or email linda.skelton2@ntlworld.com
RNLI DONATION
Janette received this letter of thanks from the RNLI for our donation, which was raised through the ‘roll a coin’ at the Commodores welcome.
Dear Mrs Coulson,
I wish to thank you and the Pike and Eel Boat Club for such a generous act. It was a great surprise to receive your cheque and it is very encouraging to know that there are so many people out there that I don’t know that are willing to donate to the RNLI in support of this exciting and worth while event.
As the cheque was made out to the RNLI (thank you!) I will ask the RNLI local office to arrange a receipt, which I am sure they will gladly do. However, because it has to be done through the RNLI there may be a bit of a delay in you receiving it. Please, if it goes longer than you are happy with then email me and I will chase it up, or if I am already on the trip, then my wife will gladly do so in my absence.
Once again, many thanks and don’t forget to follow the trip through the web site.
Regards
Paul Churchley
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following new members to the club: -
John and Dorothy Goodhew Optical Illusion
Dennis and Sue Burniston Orion 11
Jacky and Dave Marlborough
Mark and Gina Shaw Nushka
James Justine and Kamen Buckle Day Dreaming
Hemingford Weekend Including Dinghy trip July 26th
GOBA 50th Anniversary Nobles Field St Ives August 2/3rd
Wedding of David and Andrea (Pike and Eel) August 16th
Cruise to Judes Ferry August 23-25th
Have you checked out the Pike and Eel boat club website lately? Steve Mead has done a fantastic job re-vamping it, with new gallery pictures, see if you can spot yourselves, a blog and you can even raise funds for the club by doing a spot of web shopping, why not have a look at www.pike-eelboatclub.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE Upware Boat Club Regatta will be held on 28th-29th June at Littleport. The Upware Club always support our Regatta at the Pike, why not go along and see what they get up to?
Welcome to the spring edition of the Newsletter, it seems the weather is going to be a factor in this years boating calendar. There has been more flooding and due to the inclement weather forecast for the Easter weekend regrettably the social and BBQ had to be cancelled, it was thought no-one would want to be standing around on the riverbank shivering in the SNOW, even if we could get to our boats, although a few hardy souls still braved the weather and stayed all over Easter.
As we were away for both the Pre-season lunch and the Chalet bar clean up, Janette has been kind enough to write a review of both.
CHALET BAR CLEAN –UP 15TH MARCH
Saturday 15th March dawned and emerged into a lovely Spring Day with a temperature of 14 degrees – great for sorting out the Chalet Bar ready for the first outdoor event of the season a social and BBQ on 22nd March – Easter Saturday.
The recent floods had subsided and left a tide-mark up to about l8” inside the clubhouse as well as lots of mud, now dried in on the carpet tiles and very wet boxes and other objects.
The work party consisted of members of the committee and other volunteers.
The first job was to remove everything from the hut, after that, most of the contents had to be washed, dried and repacked in fresh boxes. Ben Purvis did a great job washing all the glasses; apparently he was bored at home, but did not know what was in store for him at the Marina! It also became apparent that a vacuum cleaner over the carpet tiles was not going to be successful and so it was decided to hire an industrial cleaner which was used in conjunction with a pressure washer and achieved a good result. However, there were a number of people with aching backs on Sunday morning. There were a number of items that were spoilt including the small fridge, which had to be dumped.
You will be interested to know that we have a number of expert window and carpet cleaners on the committee!! Also Jackie Simms is very good at washing curtains!
Colin was extremely useful, he took the doors off and made them fit again and work commenced on sanding and varnishing the three tables that had stayed outside the hut all winter.
Naturally we all retired to the hotel for refreshment at lunchtime, so that we could return to work full of vigour. However, this was short lived as it started to rain and everything had to be put back in a hurry. Fingers crossed everything will have dried out for the 22nd.
Our thanks go to all those who helped, we all worked very hard but nonetheless enjoyable.
PRE-SEASON LUNCH 16TH MARCH
Sunday dawned a really horrible day, wet and windy, everywhere saturated from the really heavy torrential rain that had occurred during Saturday night. On arrival at the Marina, we found the river was in full flood once more, with a fast flow, waves and white horses. There was a lot of debris floating past including a large barrel. Most members had passed fields flooded on their journey to the Pike, which indicated the amount of rain that had fallen in a short time. There were some brave canoeists about, who thought they were on the rapids, but they were engaged in a dangerous past time and should not have put themselves or others at risk.
We met in the bar at noon for drinks and a chat, as most people had not seen each other since the laying up supper, although some of course had met on the Winter Trip.
Much to our surprise Luigi and staff at the Pike had rallied round and let us use the restaurant instead of the breakfast room. This was very nice, five tables all set out to accommodate 50 people. The week had commenced with 56 attending but the usual winter illness had crept in and we had some last minute cancellations. We were however very pleased to see Derek Bunyan (rear Commodore) and Tricia who joined us after his recent spell in hospital again.
Everyone agreed the food was excellent and we were then able to relax while Derek
did us the honour of calling the raffle numbers for the numerous prizes that had been so kindly donated. Also, we had a club jacket for auction and this was modelled by Colin. The money, £l5 for this went to club funds. The total of the raffle was £12l. and our thanks go to Lia for the excellent job of selling the tickets and to Julie for collecting tips for the Pike staff.
John thanked everyone for attending and reminded about the events to ‘kick off’ the season.
COMMODORES WELCOME 26th APRIL
The Commodores welcome was a great success with over 80 people attending, even the weather was in our favour, it was a glorious sunny day and there were lots of willing hands to help put up the marquees.
Members were greeted with a welcome drink and then proceeded to get to know each other, we had quite a few new members to the club, which was a lovely informal way of getting to know them, hopefully they will join us on some of the excursions we have planned this year.
Our Commodore John thanked everyone for attending and after outlining some of the forthcoming events declared that the food was ready and everyone tucked into the excellent buffet which was prepared by Dianne and Liz Mead.
Steve Mead assisted by George Purvis was DJ for the evening and soon members were bopping away with a stint of Karaoke to follow, which again turned up some surprises notably Ann Warner, who has an amazing voice and received the biggest cheer of the night.
We held the raffle and bonus ball and also a Roll a Pound at the Bottle in aid of the RNLI, members were very generous and our Commodore John whose pound was actually closest donated the £20 prize to the RNLI as well, making a grand total of £67.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made it another memorable night, also thanks to everyone who helped with the Marquees and setting up of tables and chairs, remember to keep a lookout on the website for the photos which will be posted in the near future you may spot yourself.
VHF RADIO COURSE
A number of members have expressed an interest in taking a VHF radio course.
I am endeavouring to find out the cost of this years course but as a rough guide last year it was £90 including the cost of the £22 licence fee, so I would not imagine this years has gone up that much.
If anyone is interested in taking the course please contact me:-
Linda Skelton on 01462 637592 or email linda.skelton2@ntlworld.com
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following new members to the club:-
Andrew and Jane Humphrey Mantaray
Bernard and Christine Webber Water Lily
Bradley, Georgina, Lauren and Ryan Jones Little Dorrit
John and Dorothy Goodhew Optical Illusion
Martin Harman and Deborah Church Sandrick
Open Weekend CMBC May 3-5th
Cruise to Upware with dinghy trip May 24-26th
Commodores Cocktail Party June 6th
PEBC Regatta June 7-8th
Below is an outline of both the Burwell and Regatta events, we need to know numbers for both of these so if you would like to attend please complete the booking forms attached and return them to John Coulson
The cruise to the moorings at the Five Miles from Anywhere pub at Upware takes place on 24th May although some members are intending to travel to Upware on Friday 23rd.
We are having a meal (optional), in the pub on Saturday evening the cost is £12.00 for two courses, there is also an optional breakfast in the pub on Sunday morning, (lovely, saves cooking it yourself) for £6.35, if you would like to attend the meal, the breakfast or both, please indicate your choices by filling in the enclosed booking form and sending your cheque made payable to PEBC to John Coulson by the 17th May.
On Sunday we launch the dinghies and after leaving the lock, we cruise down past Wicken Fen and into Burwell Lode, after about an hour we reach the Pub where lunch can be purchased, either from the Barbecue or the Sunday lunch menu. For those who do not possess a dinghy there may be space in other dinghies or perhaps we may even be able to provide one, also a motor cruiser may be making the trip down to Burwell, so feel free to come. We cruise back in the afternoon and spend the evening relaxing on our boats or in the pub, making our way back to the Pike on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Regatta is held at the Pike and Eel on the weekend of 6-8th June.
It is the main event on our calendar and always proves to be a most enjoyable weekend. The theme for this years Regatta is ‘World War Two’, so start thinking about your fancy dress costume now.
Friday evening is the Commodores Cocktail Party in the Chalet bar, where arrival drink and finger buffet food will be provided. John will be sending out the invitations nearer the time. The ‘Pike’ will be manning the bar for the whole weekend and members are reminded that on this occasion only drink purchased from the bar to be consumed in the Chalet Bar and Marquees.
Saturday there will be games, boat-handling competition (weather permitting) illuminated boat competition and in the evening a hog roast with entertainment, which is £10 per head, £5 for children under 16 and £5 for anyone wishing to attend the entertainment only. This is also when we dress up in the hope of winning the fancy dress competition.
On Sunday there is an optional full English breakfast with tea or coffee being served in the Hotel. A boat jumble and tombola with more games commence after this and Andy will light the barbecue at lunchtime for you to cook your own food. There will also be the procession of the fleet dressed in all their bunting, rounding off the afternoon with the prize giving.
It really is a fun packed weekend, so why not come along and join in.
We need to know numbers in advance, so if you wish to attend let us know by filling in the slip on the bottom of the Booking form and return it to John, so we can reserve tickets, which will be ready for payment in the Marquee on the Saturday morning of the regatta along with the programme and raffle. Donations for this would be gratefully received. Could you also let us know if you require a mooring for the weekend?
Have you checked out the Pike and Eel boat club website lately? Steve Mead has done a fantastic job re-vamping it, with new gallery pictures, see if you can spot yourselves, a blog and you can even raise funds for the club by doing a spot of web shopping, why not have a look at www.pike-eelboatclub.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE Upware Boat Club Regatta will be held on 28th-29th June at Littleport.