Open Thread

I would like to tell you a story:

Once upon a time there was a thriving club of like minded sports people who enjoyed nothing better than going for a sail and then coming back and having a natter over a bunch of cold frothy refreshments whilst turning a chop or two on a hot fire.

Kids and dogs ran with gay abandon across the lawns, fished and splashed in the water.

Then life apparently got faster, sailors apparently had less time and the pressure on financing a building to house our precious club and sport became greater. Soon we forgot about sharing good times on and off the water and we allowed the Old Grumpies of the world to finally take over.

The sad thing about allowing negativity in is that it is like the proverbial lumpy doodies on a babies nappy – Man that stuff sticks like nothing else known to man.

I admit – it remains difficult to get excited about good stuff that happens around me. It is just so much easier to get people enthusiastic about a good old moan session than a good old good story.

It is with a heavy heart that I notice once again the good old moan session about the one “Unhappy Hour” that the club hosted recently. I gaze upon those visitors with a sense of pride in our club, happy that we are (were) a spot of choice for young vibrant people who will tell their parents and others of ABYC and spread the word about a venue that is fast becoming one of choice amongst discerning diners.

The lean years brought about by an onerous new lease, fire and gales that necessitated rebuilding of the club and marina and continuing negotiations with a landlord are almost all behind us – we are almost finished paying a ‘bond’ and the influx of people that we share our magnificent dining facilities with has helped to a large extent. We have a stable caterer who has been with us for the longest time of any in recent history, our finances are on the up, we will host the 505 World Championships, we have a full sailing calendar, a growing youth sailing section AND the club is being painted on the outside. Our membership fees have been frozen and decreased, no more special ‘levies’ are envisaged – I could go on.

And yet, all I hear are squeaky wheels who would rather not be part of the solution, preferring to stand aside and chirp from the sidelines. Don’t get me wrong – it is your absolute right to chirp from the sidelines just as it is my absolute right to be totally honest with you. I respect your right to complain so all I ask is that you respect my right to IGNORE you.

All I ask is that you exercise your right to complain, praise, question and contribute whilst treating me to a frothy Fanta Brown at The Bitter End.