Solent Branch - welcome

Last Night of the Osborne Proms - Osborne House, East Cowes 19th July

Stop Press:- There are 2 cheap tickets available for this - contact Annemarie!

Last year, we organised a visit to this magical event for the first time. The omens were not wonderful, as it had rained for days. However, the sun broke out for us, and our party of 52 (!) made it a brilliant evening.

This, of course, was Queen Victoria's favourite house, with its superb gardens and outstanding outlook over the East Solent.   

Berthing at Venture Quays, (opposite Shepards Wharf), we will catch the water taxi to the East Cowes chain ferry, and then walk or take the bus up to Osborne House. The aim is to be there very close to 18.00 hrs, to allow us to set up our picnics. We advise bringing folding chairs, plus a warm layer of clothing in case it cools off later in the evening.

The picnics ranged from the modest to the very immodest, with all well fed by the start of the music.

 

As is usual with such occasions, there is a lively conductor with an equally lively orchestra. The programme of the renowned Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (shown below) is varied and promises to make for a very good evening. There is an interval prior to the second half which migrates to some of the traditional 'Last Night' music and songs. Finally, to wrap up the evening, there is a brilliant firework display.

Timing:-

The grounds of Osborne House are open for picnics prior to the concert from 1800 hrs. The concert starts at 1945 hrs and finishes at approximately 2225 hrs with a firework finale.

Programme

• Borodin : Prince Igor Overture
• Herold : Clog Dance from La Fille Mal Gardee
• De Curtis : Torno a Surriento
• Di Capua : O Sole Mio
• Tchaikovsky : Sleeping Beauty Rose Adagio & Waltz
• Rodgers : Soliloquy from Carousel
• Suppe : Light Cavalry March Overture
• Strauss : Thunder & Lightning Polka
• Badelt / Zimmer : Pirates of the Caribbean
• Mozart : The Magic Flute: The Birdcatcher Am I
• Grieg : In the Hall of the Mountain King
• Elgar : Pomp & Circumstance March No.4
• Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on Greensleeves
• Sullivan : The Mikado's Song
• Walton : Crown Imperial March
• Parry : Jerusalem
• Wood : Fantasia on British Sea Songs
• Elgar : Pomp & Circumstance March No.1

Performers
Conductor: Matthew Wood
Soloist:Earl Carpenter (Presenter)

Tickets:- These need to be purchased direct from www.heritageconcerts.co.uk\osborne or Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Box Office 01202 669925. The cost is now £21 until 18th July, and £24 on the day, (nb - 2 cheap tickets available from Annemarie!!).

Please let Annemarie Westwood know if you would like to attend.

Name		Boat		Numbers
Brearley	Ian & Sally	Zephyr		2
Vogado	Mike & Ros	Helga		2
Williams	Peter & Lesley	Dulcibella		2
Elliott	Cliff	March Hare		2
Beeson	Richard & Joy	Time Out		2
Burrell	Nick & Anne	Empty Sky		5
Sage	Joseph & Kim	Ocean Strider		5
Newman	Colin & Anne Hughes	At Last		4
Raysbrook	Andy & Heather	Braveheart		4
Smith	Jane	Phylian		6
Talbot	Warren	Dazzler		2
Harley	Kevin & Di Matthews	Moondance		2

 

Yarmouth Rally 2-3 August                                                                                                                     

The second of our annual family rallies takes place in the bustling little port of Yarmouth. Given the changes in booking berths, it is essential that we arrive as early as possible this time, as we were unable to pre-book. (Yarmouth is a bit of a problem now in that they now demand payment in full at the time of booking). However, that will not deter us from having a good time!

Saturday is a day for activity, with walks, kite flying and boules planned. With the approach of evening, we will relocate to the Yarmouth Sailing Club, to use their BBQ and bar. This is situated just on the upriver port side of the bridge.

On Sunday, it is planned to run the postponed Pursuit Race that had been scheduled to take place at Bembridge. (However, there might not have been too many entrants that Sunday!).

Richard Beeson is the Coordinator, so please send him your reservations. 

Name		Boat		Numbers
Beeson	Richard & Joy	Time Out		2
Westwood	Steve & Annemarie			2
Campbell	Ian & Linda	Westwind		2
Brearley	Ian & Sally	Zephyr		2

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival - 16th-17th August

A visit to a garlic festival sounds like many people's idea of a nightmare, but not all is as it seems, (thankfully!), as the following extract from the festivals website indicates:-

"This year's Isle of Wight Garlic Festival promises to be the biggest ever.  At its heart is our world famous Isle of Wight Garlic but we showcase the very best of Island produce. Over 300 stalls will sell food and a diverse range of arts and crafts inside larger than ever marquees. Arrive hungry! You won’t miss the pungent aroma of our garlic; it flavours everything, hot crusty bread, moules, sweetcorn, prawns, lamb, beer, ice cream, coffee and lots more! This year there are many new items on the various menus.

Our stage features Alvin Stardust performing his top twenty hits and more! The Beatles are booked too, well, the Apple Beatles are as good as the real thing capturing the look and sound of the fab four! Both are supported by some of the best local bands, proving the Island nurtures some of the UK’s best musical talent.

There’s a huge beer tent, cricket with the E.C.B, football, The Army, vintage and classic vehicles, tractors, buses and a major fun fair featuring rides making their first visit to the Island."

See website http://www.garlic-festival.co.uk/ for full details. The Festival is open from 10am to 6pm on each day. Tickets are bought at the gate on the day - Prices: adults £7.50; children £4. 

The festival is in a field near Winford.  Picture below shows Southern Vectis bus route 8, which, on Saturday, leaves Newport Bus Station at 10 & 40 minutes past each hour and takes about 20 minutes to get to the Festival Site.  Buses from Cowes to Newport are every 6 minutes and the journey takes 22 minutes.  Southern Vectis say they might be offering a special ticket price deal for the Festival.

The MOA plan is to try to arrive at Cowes Friday night, or at least early Saturday morning and catch a bus from Cowes at 10am on Saturday to Newport for the connection to the Garlic Festival.  Application has therefore been made to Shepherd’s Wharf in West Cowes for an MOA gathering on both Friday and Saturday nights.  Watch the website for times and details of MOA cockpit / pontoon party(s).  

Portsmouth high tide times/height that weekend are: Friday 15th 1128/4.3 2333/4.3 Saturday 16th 1205/4.5 Sunday 17th 0009/4.4 1240/4.5

Mike Vogado is the Event Coordinator, so please let him know if you want to come to this unusual festival!

Name		Boat	Berth Required? Friday/Saturday	Numbers
Vogado	Mike & Ros	Helga	F/S	2
Gandar	Lawrence & Annie	Mistral Dancer	F/S	2
Rowlands	Pete & Viv	April Lass		2
Mayhew	Jill & Brian	Clarus	F/S	2
Newman	Colin & Ann Hughes	At Last	S	2

 

New Years Eve Party - Folly Inn - 31st December

As we found last year, this gets booked up incredibly early. The Folly was virtually fully booked by New Years Eve 2007 for the end of this year, and we bagged the last 24 places. This is a unique type of evening, combining a great meal with entertainment, a brilliant party atmosphere, and your own accommodation a few yards away.

For those who haven't been before, it is not the usual fight for tables and the bar. As a booking-only event, they only allow in as many people as can be seated at allocated tables, and so it is much less crowded. The meal is a very substantial buffet, with a huge range of food, and we defy anyone to come away hungry.

This is an occasion for the whole family, with a separate table for the more youthful having proved very popular. There is music and dancing after the meal, right through to 01.00, at which time many retire to further partying on the boats until the wee hours.

 

We tentatively floated the idea of a theme last time, and a variety of pirate costumes were on display. This was very much a matter of personal choice, with no pressure to dress up.

So if you want to book up for a lively party to toast the New Year in, email Annemarie Westwood early to reserve your places!

Name		Boat		Numbers
Eveson	John & Patricia	Moody Blue		2
Westwood	Steve & Annemarie	Freebooter		2
Beeson	Richard & Joy	Time Out		2
Campbell	Ian & Linda	Westwind		2

Caribbean Trip 23rd Jan - 6th Feb 2009                                                                                           

This is not an official event, but an opportunity to have a winter charter sail in the sun. There are currently 2 boats booked with Sunsail in the British Virgin Islands, out of Road Harbour, Tortola. These are absolutely stunning islands, with great harbours and anchorages. We spent 2 weeks there at the same time this year, and cannot wait to go back. Having talked to a number of people about the trip, interest was expressed in others doing it next year.

The arrangements and costs are too complex to organise an official trip, but by letting you know when, where and how, you can book your own charter to suit. There is no intention to have a flotilla, but more to say where we might meet up every few days. 


Yes, this does seem a long way off, but it is evident that you will need to get booking if you want to join in. There is a further incentive in that there is an early booking discount applicable to the end of August.

If you have any questions, please email Annemarie Westwood