2008 Rally at Poole

Dear Seaward Owners,

POOLE RALLY Friday June 6th and Saturday June 7th.

Arrangements have been made for us to berth at the Dolphin Quay Marina which is at the east end of the Town Quay. The marina should be contacted on Channel 80 as approach is made.

On Friday evening I have arranged a carvery at the King Charles Inn where we shall have an upper room which is over 500 years old. The Inn is just off the Town Quay and is only a short walk from the marina.

On Saturday evening dinner will be at the RNLI Lifeboat College. The menu is:

Chargrilled asparagus with parmesan and rocket salad

Poached Supreme of Wessex chicken stuffed with leek and limeswold cheese and served with chive cream sauce and seasonal vegetables and potatoes

Chocolate and Walnut Tart with caramel sauce OR Cheese and biscuits

Coffee and homemade Dorset Fudge

The cost is £25 per head and Barry and Alison Kimber are kindly sponsoring the wine which will be a choice of either [red] Villa Maria Cellar Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand 2004/2005 OR [white] Pinot Grigio Provincia di Pavia Collezione Marcheseni Italy. So that an appropriate number of bottles can be ordered I need you to indicate your choice on the detachable slip at the end of this newsletter.

It took me 15 minutes walking moderately slowly to get from the marina to the College. I will obtain the telephone number of a taxi firm so that anyone who wishes may themselves engage a taxi.

Excellent accommodation at the Lifeboat College is available for any non boating participants at a cost for bed and breakfast of £69.50 for a double room and £62.50 for a single room. These prices are for members of the RNLI and would be higher for any non members. Booking should be made directly with the College on 0870 833 2000 or by e-mail to tlc_reception@rnli.org.uk

A general information leaflet is available from Seaward Marine on request.

I have not arranged any activity for the Saturday but possibilities are a boat trip from the Quay to the National Trust Island of Brownsea, a boat trip to Swanage with a trip on the steam railway to Corfe Castle, or a visit to Bournemouth.

Last year four boats had a weeks cruise in company after the rally. This year if the demand is there we can do the same. If anyone is interested they should e-mail me.

I recently visited the factory and saw that work on the Flying Christine III Guernsey marine ambulance is approaching completion. A new keel with the lower area of the under water parts has had to be moulded and scarfed into the existing structure. To do this the boat had to be gutted but the engines and V drives are now back in place together with the tanks and floors and furnishings. Serious enquiries have been received from several European countries for pilot boats and mould tools for appropriate hulls and superstructures are at the factory.

This situation arises from the fact that Halmatic have given up this type of work. Barry feels that in the future commercial boat building will offer significant opportunities to expand the business but the traditional Seaward power yachts will of course continue as before. I saw a 35, two 29s, a 23 and two 25s in progress during my visit.

With regards

John Hickman

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Name of boat

Number attending dinner on Saturday

Choices

Dessert

Cheese

White wine

Red wine