CMBHA NEWS
Conwy Marina Berth Holders Association
SUMMER 2010
Exciting Developments
Welcome to the first of our new look News Letters. We will try and get a printed version to all members, but you can view this version on the website or get a copy from the chandlers on the marina.
In this edition we will try to bring you up to date with some of the exciting programme of work that your new committee have been involved in on your behalf over the past three months since the AGM. Also included are news and views that we hope will be of interest not only to our members but to all users of Conwy Marina.
We are entering a period of massive change and are working closely with Marina Manager Jon Roberts so that that you are kept informed of present activity and future plans and are fully engaged in the process so that the Marina that we all love and enjoy will continue to go from strength to strength. To help us to help you, please let us have your feedback, either in writing or via the online feedback forms at www.cmbha.net/feedback/
New Web Site at www.cmbha.net
We were elected on a promise that we would be open and transparent and communicate more effectively with members. At the heart of this was to be a new interactive web site. Our timescales were tight if we were to get it up and running for the new season but, led by committee member and Webmaster Martin Berman, a team of volunteers worked tirelessly to produce a highly professional web site launched to massive acclaim from members and casual browsers alike.
This new web site went live in May and has already been visited by over 700 individuals from 22 countries, (including UK, Australia, US, Ireland, France, Ghana, Malaysia and many others) who have made over 2000 visits and 7000 page views. CMBHA is now very definitely on the world map!
Features include up to date weather and tidal information, navigational data and notices to mariners, local events and attractions, marina features from our roving reporter, even a live webcam of the marina so that you can view the weather from the comfort of your armchair at home. However, perhaps most importantly, members can now give feedback direct to committee members online with our new feedback facility, and can even join and arrange summer lift outs online both at this website .
Our thanks go to Martin, his team and the many other individuals and organisations, too numerous to mention here who have contributed their time and material to make the web site a success and especially to LiveTech at www.livetech.co.uk/home.htm who have provided significant sponsorship and are hosting the web site free of charge.
Celebrity Visit to Conwy Marina
“An absolutely delightful place….” Timothy Spall with CMBHA burgee
Conwy marina recently played host to actor Timothy Spall and his lovely wife, Shane, filming the latest episodes of the hugely popular BBC series “Timothy Spall: Somewhere at Sea” on their fabulous Dutch barge ‘The Princess Matilda’.
CMBHA Chair Vince Sweeney was fortunate enough to catch up with them shortly before they departed on the next leg from Conwy to Liverpool. Asked how he had enjoyed his stay at Conwy, he replied; “It’s a delightful place. I wish I could have stayed longer.” He is pictured with a CMBHA burgee presented by Vince on behalf of the Association as a memento of his visit.
In the latest series he visits a number of North Wales marinas and anchorages familiar to most of us, including Pwllheli, Porth Dinllaen, Porth Dinorwic and our own beloved Conwy.
Despite admitting during the previous series to being an unqualified and slightly nervous mariner, his handling of his huge vessel in the relatively narrow confines of the marina was superb, requiring only a slight shove off the walkway between B and C legs to compensate for a defective bow thruster. You can learn more about Tim and Shane’s exploits on their highly entertaining blog at www.spallsatsea.com. CMBHA wishes them every success on their future adventures
Membership
Under the watchful eye and guidance of new membership secretary, Steve Kenwright (Jenna Vee – ‘A’ Leg), membership has really taken off again with a 30% increase in joiners / renewals so far this season. Among key changes that have contributed to this happy situation are the new facilities to join and subscribe online at (www.cmbha.net/join/) and to join direct at Network Chandlery, all part of our programme to modernize the association and make it more accessible.
One issue that this has flushed out is that quite a few members’ email addresses are in need of updating so we would ask all members to ensure that we have your latest details by either filling in and returning the membership details update shown at the back of this news letter, or by simply submitting a member update form at www.cmbha.net/membership-update-details/
We would also encourage all readers who have not yet done so to join the association. A limited stock of CMBHA burgees is available free to existing members requiring them and to new members. Contact Steve either directly or join via the membership application form at www.cmbha.net/join/ .
Member Benefits
A growing range of member benefits is available, with some very attractive discounts as shown on the CMBHA notice board and web site. These include discounts from a number of local traders.
The Summer Lift Out Package has proven to be as popular as ever, with over 22 takers so far so any member wishing to take up one of the remaining slots is advised to do so as soon as possible. The package comprises lift out on a Monday, hose off, week on hard standing then lift back in the following Monday, all for £30 per meter. Offer available to subscribing members only. An online booking form is available on http://www.cmbha.net/lift-out-booking-form/ or contact Eric Crowther direct (Liquid Asset – ‘C’ Leg). The final date for this offer is Monday 27th September.
Marina Matters
We have received a wide range of feedback from members, building upon the points raised at the AGM, and have been having detailed discussions with the Marina management on your behalf. It has to be said that whilst there remain some unresolved issues the Marina response has been most positive and we were delighted to see so much good news in Jon’s recent E-Quay News Letter (9th July) which covered a number of the issues that we had raised with him.
If you’re not already on the circulation list for these free updates, give your email address to Becky in the Marina Office. You will also receive regular 3 day weather forecasts and gate times – really useful stuff!
The following is a summary of some of the key issues that we have been discussing with the Marina and their response to date. If you wish us to draw any other matters to their attention, the quickest way is by using the online member feedback form at www.cmbha.net/feedback/ or you can write direct to CMBHA c/o the Marina or simply grab one of us as we pass!
Shower and Toilet Facilities: It is fair to say that everyone, including the Marina management, is in agreement that the toilet and shower facilities are dated and beyond a stage when a simple cosmetic makeover will suffice. We are therefore delighted that Quay Marinas have promised to set aside a fairly substantial sum for a complete refurbishment to bring them up to a modern standard. We were also delighted to see that Jon has invited the views of berth holders on this refurbishment (E-Quay News Letter (9th July)) so let him know your views on the features and equipment that you would really love to see in this exciting development.
Security: Following a number of thefts from the Marina, North Wales Police Crime Reduction Officer Ifan Hughes has conducted a survey of the entire site. He spent some considerable time with Jon and produced a comprehensive list of recommendations including improved CCTV coverage, for which Quay Marinas are presently considering quotes from a specialist company. They have our full support in the implementation of all the recommendations in the report.
Whilst the ‘target hardening’ aspects of the report can be largely addressed by technology, as berth holders we must play our own role in keeping the pontoon areas secure by simple expedients such as; preventing tail gating on the walkway gate; challenging persons acting furtively or suspiciously; reporting all unusual or suspicious activity to Marina staff, and avoiding whenever possible leaving attractive / valuable gear lying unsecured on boats.
Dredging: A number of concerns were expressed by berth holders following the latest dredging operations, with displacement of silt resulting in problems for some members. However, having held detailed discussions with Jon on the subject, the management view is that the operation was as successful as could possibly be achieved within the constraints of the licenses granted by the river authorities.
In short, licenses in recent years have permitted the removal of approximately 18 months’ accumulation of silt, so while there should be some year on year improvement, getting water levels to where they need to be could take years to achieve if quotas are not increased. CMBHA is committed to working closely with the Marina to seek to have these quotas increased
However, we are hopeful that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel with a growing recognition by the authorities of the importance of ensuring that the Conwy River environment becomes more accessible to all users, whether commercial or leisure, and we understand that this is likely to result in a significant change in the way dredging is approached throughout the estuary in the near future. More on this as the story develops.
Waiting Pontoon: Many of you have expressed concern over the condition of the waiting pontoon. It has fallen into a poor state of repair and is often difficult to access. It has been accepted that there is a need to improve the facility and the Marina are proposing to dredge the area, repair the existing pontoon and attach a number of angled fingers to provide additional berths for waiting vessels. We hope to see this helpful and positive solution implemented soon.
Wi-Fi and Internet Access: We have raised your concerns over poor reception on the BT Openzone service provided at the Marina. This is currently under investigation by BT Engineers. When we have any further updates, we will post them on the website.
We have also suggested that a dedicated terminal be provided for berth holders to access the internet to check emails, weather etc. Management agree that this would be a useful facility but, disappointingly, propose to leave this until the full refurbishment of the main marina building is completed. However, Quay Marinas assure us that they are about to start discussions with architects / interior designers so we hope to see concrete proposals in the near future. In the meantime, please take Jon up on his request that you feed in to him details of equipment and features that you would like to be included in the refurb – don’t wait until it is too late!
Miscellaneous: In the above paragraphs we have tried to bring you up to date with some of the key issues that we have been addressing on your behalf. However, we have also had a really positive response from Jon on a whole range of other issues, too numerous to cover in any great detail here, but they include new numbers on legs, new trolleys, mops in shower blocks, and the first of a number of new recycling bins.
We would therefore like to take the opportunity to thank Jon and his staff for their efforts to date and offer our ongoing support and encouragement in achieving a speedy resolution of the matters still outstanding.
We understand that they may also be close to solving the loo roll holder problem and are delighted to give you an exclusive preview……….
Conwy River Festival 7th – 15th August
The Festival begins with a wide range of sailing, cultural and music events from 7th August, but kicks into a higher gear on Friday 13th with music and a fair on Conwy Town Quay followed by a torchlight procession through the town.
On Saturday 14th the Conwy Town Regatta and Quay Day promises a huge programme of not to be missed activities and displays including the spectacular Parade of Boats off Conwy Quay at 1600. Sunday 15th sees the focus move to Deganwy for the Deganwy Quay Day, featuring the popular Nobbys, Gaffers and Classic Yachts Around the Bay event. A Buffet and BBQ will take place on Deganwy Marina’s stunning new decking area, from where a Treasure Hunt, with entrants searching for clues all over Conwy and Deganwy, will start and finish. CMBHA are supporting events at our sister marina and are sponsoring the prizes for the Treasure Hunt, which is being organized by Rob and his team at Network Yacht Brokers.
Full details of the programme for the weeks events will be appearing in a host of publicity material and local media, but can be found online at www.conwyriverfestival.org . The new Conwy River Taxi (see below) will be up and running in time for the event providing easy access to events and activities on both sides of the river.
Conwy River Taxi
The new Conwy River Taxi will soon be available to all. Network Yacht Brokers, North Wales Cruising Club and Conway Yacht Club have joined forces and are in the process of developing an exciting new service for the community of Conwy. It is felt that this is a very viable new concept which shows great potential; an option which would incorporate local residents, berth holders, tourists, employees and business owners alike in a new style of river taxi service.
The new service will run at allocated times throughout the calendar year. The concept of a new river taxi service for the general public is innovative and exciting, and is a unique way of capitalizing on the beauty of our area. The opportunity to travel between Deganwy and the walled town of Conwy with simplicity and ease will be embraced by locals and tourists alike, enhancing the links between these two destinations. Passengers will be able to embark and disembark at their leisure at any of the five allocated stops; Conwy Town Quay, Conwy Marina, Conwy Beacons, Deganwy Beach, and Deganwy Marina.
The service will be operating shortly, and we wish it every success!
Social Events
Despite a glorious June, the fickle nature of English summer weather got in the way of some proposed cruises in company. However, Eric Crowther recently led a small but perfectly formed flotilla on a most enjoyable trip to Port Wen, where a beach BBQ was followed by a good old fashioned sing song around the camp fire. The following morning saw the party relocate to Cemaes Bay for a visit to the historic Llanbadrig church, said to have been founded by St Patrick in the 5th Century. If you are interested in going along on future cruises, keep an eye on the web site and notice board, or let Eric have your details and he will contact you direct. Weather dictates that these are often fairly last minute plans but are great fun and a good way to meet other berth holders.
Diary Date – we are delighted to announce that this year’s end of season Decommissioning Dinner Dance will take place at Conwy Golf Club on Saturday 30th October. Watch out for more information coming out soon (on the Notice Board and on this website ) along with details of how to get tickets, which will cost £23.50 including meal and disco. These events are usually a sell out so book early to avoid disappointment.
Did You Know?
Fancy a change of scenery? Conwy Marina has reciprocal arrangements with other Quay Marinas and berth holders can overnight at Deganwy Marina at no additional cost, subject to availability, so why not check it out. Discounted rates are also available at the numerous marinas participating in the Trans Europe Marinas scheme on www.transeuropemarinas.com which includes, for example, a huge 50% reduction in casual fees at Malahide in Dublin.
Finally…..if you like what you are reading, let us know via the feedback form, and come and get involved!!
Happy Sailing from us all on the CMBHA Committee
Member Details Updates
Do we have your latest details? - be sure by updating them online. Please update your personal details by going to www.cmbha.net/membership-update-details/.
If you are not yet a member, you can join using the membership form at www.cmbha.net/join/