2 November
The 2008 AGM was adjourned - there were no nominations for Chairman or Treasurer although we have a new Secretary. The meeting will be re-convened after giving clubs and the membership the opportunity to put together a management committee for 2009. Failing this I am open to suggestions as how to proceed. The minutes of the adjourned meeting have been posted.

Both the Prizegiving and adjourned AGM will be held at 8pm on Wednesday 3 December at THYC. A free buffet will follow the meetings. There will only be one item on the agenda of the re-convened AGM- Can NECRA continue as an organisation without a management committee? If you have any interest in NECRA continuing to function as a viable organisation, then this is your last chance to make your views heard. Notice of the meeting will be sent to all names on the NECRA database. Obviously the meeting is open to ANYONE interested in NECRA.

3 October
There has been a nomination for Secretary. It is listed under Nominations 2008.

29 September
The AGM is to be held on Saturday 4 October, 7.30 in THYC. To date there have been no nominations for the Management Committee. Without a committee it is difficult to see how NECRA can continue - if the membership values NECRA, then something needs to happen!!

The minutes of the last committee meeting have been posted.

16 September
Apologies, despite what it said on 3rd September, the Overall Results (provisional until ratified at meeting on Wednesday) have just been posted!

Dates for your diary, AGM - Saturday 4 October at THYC, Prizegiving - Saturday 25 October at SYC.

10 September
The next Committee Meeting will take place on Wednesdsay 17 September. This will be the last meeting of the current committee before the AGM. The Agenda has been posted in the Minutes of Meetings Section. If you have any points to raise about the results, please contact your rep or e-mail webmaster as soon as possible. They will be ratified at the meeting!

3 September
The season ended pretty much as it started - dreadful weather! No boats raced at the weekend!

The overall results for the season have now been posted. All that is left of the season now is the AGM (4 October) and the prizegiving.

2 September
Whilst the SI's for the weekend race have not yet been finalised, the start is 9am using the start line inside Sunderland harbour. The course is SYC X mark to port, J mark to starboard, R(S) to port, R(N) to port, Mines buoy to port, RNYC finish.

28 August
The results of the racing on the bank holiday weekend are now available.

The last sailing event in the NECRA season takes place on 6th September. This is a feeder race from Sunderland to Blyth on the Saturday morning in support of the RNYC regatta which also takes place over this weekend and is always a great event.

21 August
The results of the Farnes race have been posted.

20 August
The SI's for the Blyth - Sunderland feeder have been posted.

The results from the Farnes will be posted as soon as they are made available from RNYC.

15 August
The provisional Sailing Instructions for Roker Regatta have been posted. Please note that Roker Regatta requires ALL competitors to wear lifejackets or appropriate personal bouyancy whilst on the water.

7 August
The sailing instructions for the Hartlepool - Sunderland race have been posted.

This race is a feeder to Roker Regatta (Sunday's racing forms part of the NECRA programme). Roker is always a popular event - good sailing and great social activities! Sailing Instructions will be posted as soon as they are available.

31 June
The sailing instructions for the Farnes race have just been posted. The season is now more than half over! There are still a number of registered boats that have not yet raced - this is a great chance to remedy this - RNYC provide an excellent weekend - why not come along and join in!

12 July
The North Sea race results have beeen posted. It was a rough crossing with predominantly SE wind in varying strengths - mostly strong to very strong!

Four NECRA boats formed part of the 20+ fleet, taking 3 of the winners pennants. As usual SYC organised an excellent event, including the end of race dinner at Hoorne.

23 June
Friday night saw 13 competitors and two other Sunderland boats (Fiasco and Troika also joined in) make the trip from Sunderland to Whitby overnight. It was a beautiful evening with a light to moderate SW wind and flat sea. It was a quick trip with the first boat finishing just before 4am. Everyone was settled in the marina by 5.30 am, some even attending an impromptu wine tasting hosted by WYC members! The race results have been posted.

WYC kindly opened the club on Saturday lunchtime for those who wished to refresh themselves. On Saturday evening the club provide an excellent barbecue buffet as well as live music to entertain the visitors. An great evening, enjoyed by all - many thanks to WYC.

On Sunday there were no starters for the Whitby - Hartlepool event - the forecast was enough to deter even the most hardy! And it proved to be reasonably accurate (except that it remained W or SW and the NW did not materialise!), the weather was wild enough to keep most of the visitors in Whitby for at least another day.

16 June
If you did not already realise, it is the Overnight week-end this weekend! There are already 9 provisional entries - class 2 is looking to be very competitive at this point, although I also expect there to be a good contingent from the class 3/4 crowd (even if they do not seem to know how to use a computer ;-)).

Whitby YC bar will be open at 8pm on Saturday evening, with a barbeque organised. If there is sufficient demand, it would be possible to open the bar on Saturday lunchtime - pass on your request to Nigel Robinson (Samaki of St Hellier). The weather is also forecast to be reasonably good, so it promises to be a great week-end - why not come and join in the fun?

1 June
The provisional Sailing Instructions for the Whitby - Hartlepool race on 22 June have been posted. Also, please note that the Whitby race station may not be manned at the end of the Overnight race from Sunderland to Whitby. Consequently the provisional SI's have been changed to require yachts to take their own finishing times.

26 May
The first NECRA weekend is now over and the results have been posted. It turned out to be a very enjoyable but rather windy and rough weekend on the water as the E or NE wind continued to freshen and the seas build.

On Saturday morning 8 boats raced from Sunderland to Hartlepool in a fresh Easterly with a moderate sea. Those skippers who had intended to race from Whitby made the decision that Whitby entrance would be untennable on Monday. The way the weather developed, it was probably a wise move!

Off the water, THYC catered excellently for the visitors (including a contingent from Scarborough who had raced up to Hartlepool on Friday overnight!) Early breakfasts proved to be very popular, as did the curry supper on Saturday evening! The Sunday quiz was a source of much merriment.

The Inshore racing at Hartlepool over the three days provided boats and skippers with a stern test as the winds strengthened and the seas built up. Interestingly, it was in class 4 where the most competition was enjoyed. Whilst the later races were kept reasonably short, inevitably numbers declined as seasickness and over-indulgence began to play a part!

19 May
Please note that provisional sailing instructions for this weekend's events have been posted on the web.

The forecast for the weekend is promising - dry with moderate winds and some sun. For those people who have not yet registered there is still time to do so (just!). There is already a good turnout promised, why not come and join us?

25 April
Registrations are continuing steadily, although there are still a number of past members who have yet to do so. The pattern of last seasons registrations seems to be continuing. Classes 2, 3 and 4 seem to be very healthy with several new boats joing the ranks of class 4.

There is a committee meeting next Tuesay so if you have any queries about what is going on, get in touch with your club representative asap.

17 April
For those members who knew Alan Cooper and would like to pay their respects, his funeral takes place at 10am on Friday 18 April at St Mary's Church, Hartlepool.

12 April
It is with great personal sadness that I report the death, this morning, of the NECRA Secretary Alan Cooper. Alan, in his Hustler 30 Booby Too, was a regular competitor in NECRA for many years. He will be sadly missed in the sailing fraternity. Our thoughts go to his wife Kath at this time.

9 April
Competitors are requested to use the new link on the left -Intention to Race- in order to provisionally record their intention to compete in a NECRA race. Whilst not compulsory, it would be very helpful to the clubs organizing events if they had some prior indication of the number of competitors that they might expect.

5 April
A new link has been added in the Useful Links section. It links to AIS coverage, and shows shipping movement around the UK. In particular, current shipping movements in the areas of the Tyne, Tees and Whitby are covered.

4 April
Wow, the season has started with snow and wind! Registrations are trickling in slowly - if you have not already done so, do try and register soon!

Have you noticed that the 2008 NERR ratings are now available from the NERR website?

Now that the ratings are available, the class boundaries have been decided by the committee. NECRA has attempted to keep boats in the same class as previous seasons.

The Notice of Race regulations (NOR) have also been published. These includes the safety requirements for 2008. NECRA is remaining with ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (with NECRA Presriptions) - Category 5 for sports boats and Category 4 for all others. Please note that there have been some changes to the ISAF regulations for 2008.

20 March
The minutes of the last committee meeting have been posted. The season is getting close now - please take time to check out ISAF category 4 Special Regulations, there have been some changes for 2008.

It is worth noting that NECRA members will get free moorings in Hartlepool Marina for the ATF NECRA regatta weekend provided that they let us know they are coming 5 days in advance. This, in itself, is worth the NECRA registration fee!

9 March
The agenda for the next NECRA committee meeting has been posted. Please get in touch with your representative if there is anything you would like raising.

6 March
A discussion board has been activated again. This time it is a fully functional board which requires users to register. Registration will remain open until the board attracts the attention of spammers! Then registration will be by approval only to keep the spammers at bay. Please feel free to experiment.

The spring newsletter, a registration form and a number of fixture lists have been posted to members on the database. The newsletter is also available on the website (in pdf format) so even if you are not on the database you can read and print it out.

As you may have noticed, registrations are now starting to come in. Please register in good time as it spreads the administrative burden!

11 January
PLEASE NOTE - following the recent Committee Meeting, there has been a change to the published 2008 programme. The overnight race weekend has been brought foreward by a week to avoid the clash with East Coast Sailing Week.

3 January
Compliments of the seasaon to all!

The minutes of 12 December meeting have been posted. A newsletter, fixture list and application form will be posted out to all at the beginning of February. In the meantime however, if you are impatient, you can use the website to plan your seasons racing, download and complete the application form and register with NECRA now!

Please Note - the links to the ISAF Special Regulation have been updated - as have the regulations. Please study carefully and ensure that your boat complies before the season begins.

23 December
On the 12 December, after much discussion, the NECRA committee confirmed that the provisional programme would be the programme for 2008 with TWO ADDITIONS proposed. If SYC and RNYC are willing, there will be 2 NECRA inshore races on the Sunday of Roker Regatta and 1 NECRA inshore race on the Saturday of RNYC Regatta. For Classes 1-4 these will be bay races, rather than the Olympic style races that have become the norm in recent years.

4 December
The 2008 programme is to be finalised on 12 December. Please have a look at the provisional programme and if you have any comments let your club rep have them or e-mail the NECRA webmaster. IT IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO INFLUENCE THE 2008 PROGRAMME!

17 November
Unfortunately, the Discussion Board is being spammed on a daily basis - consequently I am shutting it down temporarily. Sadly this means that in order to use it in the future, you are going to have to log in (to prevent spammers gaining open access). My appologies but I can see no way round this.

10 November
Minutes of the last NECRA committee meeting have been posted.

The Prizegiving dinner is on Saturday 24 November at SYC. If you are intending to attend, please let your club rep or myself know BEFORE Friday 16 November as catering arrangements need to be finalised.

8 November
The 'provisional' 2008 programme was decided at the last committee meeting and is now posted. There are significant changes proposed this season - these changes are attempting to meet some of the suggestions put forward at the AGM. However, it must be emphasised that it is provisional - if you have any views on how it could be improved, please e-mail, use the discussion board or contact your local NECRA rep ASAP.

1 November
The Agenda for the next committee meeting has been posted. This meeting is primarily to decide on the NECRA programme for next season - if you have any views you need to make them known very soon...See your club rep or post a messasge on the discussion board.

23 October
Minutes from the last committee meeting have been posted.

22 October
A Reminder! The AGM is to be held at 8pm on Saturday 27 October at THYC. A buffet supper is available afterwards. All are welcome. Nominations have been posted on the website. Do come along and have a say about what NECRA does next season.

1 October
Just to remind members that there is a very important NECRA Committee meeting next Wednesday 10 October. The Agenda and supporting documents are posted under Committee Minutes. The main point of concern to all members is the discussion on the "Future of NECRA".

At the moment the membership seems to be very quiet on this issue. If it remains this way, it is possible that NECRA will cease to exist at the end of this season. If you are unhappy with this scenario then YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Talk to your club representative, post a response on the NECRA discussion board, e-mail me --- WHATEVER. A lack of response signals lack of interest and the possible demise of NECRA as an organization.

9 September
Arrangements have been finalised for the AGM and a letter will be going out to registered owners shortly. For those not on the NECRA database, a copy of the letter can be viewed on the web-site by clicking on THIS LINK. It is being held at THYC at 8pm on Saturday 27 October. A free buffet is also provided.

Also, advance notice of the prizegiving (24 November) is also contained within the same link. If you intend to come to either event, please send in a reply slip as this will help us more efficiently deal with the catering arrangements.

The observant will notice that there were no minutes posted for the last management meeting - it was cancelled! It has been re-arranged for the 10 October.

4 September
End of the 2007 NECRA season! All the results have now been posted - please check them carefully and get in touch if there are any mistakes- there is nothing more irritating than not getting the credit that you are due!

Also - next NECRA Committee meeting - tomorrow - Wed 5 September.

29 August
The results for the Farnes race and Roker Regatta have now been posted.
NECRA's thanks go to SYC and the MAC for the organisation of the event and the moorings.

The results of the last weekend racing at RNYC will determine the Overall Club championship as well as the Inshore Series winners. The competition is again very close this year!

22 August
Anyone short of crew for the weekend please see Crew Register where there is crew available

21 August
Roker Regatta this weekend.

Could visiting boats please note:-
-----Upon arrival, Sunderland marina have requested that visiting yachts initially moor at the fuel berth and use the intercom to communicate with the marina office in order to receive detailed mooring instructions------

The pontoon in SYC West trots has been provided for the Sonatas attending the National Championships (starting on Monday afternoon), please keep it for this purpose.

20 August
I would like to direct people to an item posted today on the discussion board regarding offshore racing in the NE. Views of NECRA participants (or interested others would be appreciated)!

The date for the next Committee Meeting has been set and the agenda posted.

Sailing instructions for the RNYC Regatta have been posted

19 August
The Offshore season finished with the Farnes race on Saturday- early start, quick spinnaker run up to the Shorestone bouy and then a long beat back, largely over the tide, to Blyth. 5 Necra boats competed, the results will be posted shortly.

1 August
Provisional Sailing Instructions for both the Farnes Race and Roker Regatta have now been posted.

25 July
Results for the North Sea race have been posted. Phoenix won overall and NECRA Class 1, Samakai taking NECRA Class 2 - well done! 6 Necra boats competed this year - I think this is the most we have had since the event has been held in conjunction with Scarborough YC.

There is only the Farnes Race left in the Offshore series - then the Inshore series will be finalised with Roker and RNYC regattas. Even if you have not competed in the Inshore series yet there are more than enough races left to count (with a discard).

Provisional Sailing Instructions will be posted as soon as they are available.

7 June
Bass Rock race now completed. Unpleasant weather (fog) with a poor forecast saw a reduced entry. Only one boat, (not in NECRA) finished. Provisional NECRA results posted.

Provisional Whitby - Hartlepool Sailing Instructions posted. Start times for Roker Regatta also posted.

29 May
The first set of race results have been uploaded. Whitby was as pleasant as ever, but the weather left a little to be desired. The second day of the Regatta was cancelled due to bad weather making the entrance dangerous.

Apologies to anyone who has been looking to upload a photo - i discovered a bug so took the facility away until it was sorted. Hopefully it is all working ok now. Please get in touch if you have any problems uploading photos.

23 May
Please note, revised Sailing Instructions for Scarborough -Whitby and Whitby Regatta have just been posted.

Sailing Instructions for the Bass Rock have also just been posted. Do note that a crew list for this race is also available for downloading and must be completed and handed in! Also take particular notice of the Safety Regulations for this race - inspections will take place!

17 May
The minutes of the last Committee Meeting have been posted.

In order to arrange appropriate cateering and moorings, Whitby YC would like to have an idea of the number of visitors for the first event. Could boats who are contemplating attending the event please e-mail the webmaster as soon as possible.

So far the lift arranged for sports boats has not had any takers! If anyone wishes to arrange a lift, can they please contact Bill Uppingham ASAP (see 18 April notice below for details). The offer will be withdrawn this weekend if there are no takers!

Budding photographers please note, the rules for the photographic competition have now been finalised and the link on the web site for uploading and displaying photos has been activtivated.

12 May 2007
The last NECRA Committee Meeting before the start of the season is on Wednesday 16 May. The Agenda has been posted in the Committee minutes section.

If you have any issues you would like raised please get in touch with your rep or use the discussion board. Incidently this has been very quiet for a long time now - is there no one out there with something to say about what is going on in NECRA?

4 May 2007
It is now getting very close to the start of the NECRA season. Before racing, please check the Safety Regulations to ensure that you comply and your boat's ratings to ensure that it is correct!!

Registrations are continuing to arrive, although there are still a number of NECRA stalwarts missing! Remember here is a £5 late registration fee.

Pleasingly, there are a number of 'new to NECRA' or 'previous members'' boats registered this season. In particular Whitby YC, like THYC have more registered boats than for many seasons.

Provisional Sailing Instructions and start times for the first 3 races in the season have now been posted.

18 April
Provisional sailing instructions have been posted for the Scarborough - Whitby race and Whitby Regatta. The bar is organised and food will be available!

Whitby YC have also arranged with Coates Marine for a Sports Boat lift prior to the Reggatta
Any boat wishing to take part in the lift should contact, as soon as possible:-

Bill Uppington
01947-604486
e-mail comar@globalnet.co.uk

For a concessionary rate to be available, boats will need to lift at a specified time, to be arranged once numbers are known.

13 April
The 2007 NERR ratings have now been released (www.nerr.org.uk) and are shown in the Registered Boats section of the site. Please check for accuracy and report any errors to the webmaster. If your rating is not shown, it means that it was not available from the NERR site. Please contact your NERR representative to arrange to have your boat rated.

12 April
The minutes of the last NECRA committee have been posted. A number of important issues, including Safety Regulations and Class Boundaries have been decided for 2007, so you might like to study them carefully! As always, the committee would value your comments on the decisions - the discussion board is always at your disposal!

Please note that a late registration fee will be applicable to boats that chose to register less than 3 days before a NECRA event. Why not register now and save the fiver?

Also, budding photographers might like to note that a £10 prize is available for the best sailing photo of NECRA activity on each day a NECRA event is held (£150 in total). Details will be posted on the NECRA web site shortly.

29 March
The agenda for the next NECRA Committee Meeting (11 April) has beeen posted. If you have any comments, please get in touch with your rep or post your comments on the discussion board.

Registrations seems to have slowed down a little at the moment. There are a number of traditional Necra supporters who have not yet registered. If you are intending to race this season, please help the administration by registering soon!

22 March
NERR have decided to publish and maintain minutes of their meetings on their own website, along with all details of the rule, boat ratings etc. Consequently, the NERR page on this site has been updated to reflect this.

26 February
The minutes of the last Committee Meeting have been posted.

Registrations are comming in steadily. If you have not yet registered, there was a form with the last newsletter, or failing that you can print one from the joining instructions. The more boats registered, the greater the incentive for others to do so!