7 August 2002

Dear Andrew,

On returning from overseas I was most interested to read the Smooth Sailing Newsletter of 29 July. While the remaining content of the Newsletter was, as always, informative, what particularly attracted my attention was your comment on the "merger" between RNYC and PYC. The letters addressed to you following this comment have proved of equal interest.

While I do not agree with everything that you or the authors of the letters have written on the subject, it is unarguably most helpful that those involved in sailing and the members of both Clubs express their views on the matter. Such a public expression is to be actively encouraged, given what appears to be a growing frustration and concern on the absence of progress in the matter. I trust that this is only the beginning of the debate and that further contributions can be expected from you and the members of both Clubs, both through Smooth Sailing Newsletters and elsewhere. The Clubs after all owe their very existence to their members and their sailing activities. It is the views of the members on matters such as this which the Clubs should endeavour to reflect in charting their passage into the future.

For these reasons I would also encourage anyone so inclined to raise the matter at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of RNYC. I have also always been willing, if invited to do so, to attend and address any other meeting called to discuss the matter.

Needless to say I am personally in favour of the creation of a single Club and am committed to the attainment of that objective. It is therefore indeed regrettable that no progress has been made in the matter and it is hoped, sooner rather than later, that there will be something positive to report. I am confident that other members of the RNYC General and Sailing Committees share this view. It appears that there are now more persuasive reasons than ever before for the creation of a single Club.

Keep up the fine work. It is comments such as yours on the matter and the debate thus engendered which justify RNYC having become associated with the initiative which has seen the birth and development of the Smooth Sailing Newsletters.

Warm regards,

Allyn Winchester
Commodore, RNYC