Personal Effects Notice
Any personal effects left at the club, including vehicles and bicycles, remain the responsibility of the owner. The club has no responsibility for any loss or damage to such items and they are not covered by the clubs insurance.
Club Usage
The popular times for members using the club and the river are Monday and Friday mornings, Saturday and Sunday mornings and any evenings during the summer, avoiding Wednesday wherever possible. However, members may use the club at any time providing they follow the safety procedures and ensure that the gates are kept locked, the equipment used is washed and put away correctly, trestles are put away, heaters and lights are turned off and all huts and portacabins and locked before leaving.
The club is affiliated with several local schools that may use the facilities on a weekday afternoon.
The main club junior sessions are on Saturday mornings from 10.00 (10.30 on the water) until 12.00 and on Wednesday evenings from 16.00 until 19.00
If you see any crew struggling to lift boats please give them a hand.
If you see the boats being incorrectly racked or carried please help out.
Access
Access to the club is gained by drawing the keys from the guardroom at Springfield Barracks. All fully paid up senior club members have their names added to a key list that is held in the guardroom at the barracks. You may be asked to produce means of identification when collecting the key.
Once the gates, sheds and portacabins are unlocked the keys should be placed in the key safe situated on the door of the launch store.
An emergency key for the safe, in event of battery failure, is in the first aid cupboard in the kitchen.
The last person leaving the site should make sure that all lights and heaters are switched off, windows closed and all doors locked before locking the front gates using the chain, padlock and combination lock before returning the keys to the guardroom.
Training hut
A selection of rowing machines, free weights and static equipment is available. The free weights must be put away after use. Ergo handles should be left loose and the room left free of litter and clothing. Free weights are only to be used when a ‘spotter’ is on hand.
The hut also contains the main club notice boards for juniors, vets and seniors, and members are advised to read the information pertaining to them and pay particular attention to the safety notices and the BR document for the safeguarding and protection of children.
Changing rooms and disabled person toilet
These facilities should be left clean and tidy. If you wish to leave clothing and personal effects there they must be placed in a locker.
Wet clothing should not be left to dry in the changing room.
One shower in each changing room is token operated and these are left available for members use.
The wall heaters are thermostatically controlled and should not be interfered with.
Tubular heaters are located under the benches. These are to prevent frost damage and are also thermostatically controlled.
The towels in the disabled toilet are not for general use. If you use them then please take them home and wash them before returning them.
Any clothing left at the club will be treated as unwanted and if not redeemed within 14 days will be disposed of.
Members’ attention is drawn to the advise contained in the Safeguarding and Protection of Children policy (SPC), when using these facilities. Copy of SPC is on the noticeboard in the kitchen.
Kitchen
The kitchen can be used by everyone but please keep it tidy. Wash, dry and put away cutlery and crockery. Don’t leave food out as it encourages mice and ants. Turn the heater off when leaving in the summer and leave it turned down as low as possible during the winter to prevent freezing.
There are two freezers in which food for BBQ’s is kept, also a fridge for day to day use.
The first aid cupboard is on the wall with sterile dressings and plasters.
Coxboxes are kept in the cupboard under the worktop. The cox boxes should be kept charged thus available for all. If you are unsure as to what to do please ask for help.
Tea towels and hand towels are available. Members are encouraged to take them home and wash them when they are dirty and return clean to cupboard under the sink.
Teas and coffees
The club has a small budget for teas, coffees and powdered milk. This doesn’t last very long and members are requested to put donations in the petty cash box, in the wall unit, to pay for this continuing facility.
Cleaning
The club has a contract for the cleaning of the toilets, changing rooms and portacabins each Monday morning at around 09.30. If the training area is tidy the cleaners will vacuum the floor but if it is in a mess they won’t.
We also have a contract for emptying the white bins in the ladies toilets and changing the two mats, one in the leisure centre the other in the portacabin lounge every four weeks on a week day morning around 10.30.
Toilet rolls, soap and hand towels
These are bought from Bookers Cash and Carry. They are kept in the lockers in both the ladies and gents changing rooms. The locker keys are on labelled key rings on hooks inside the bottom cupboard in the training hut and a ready use supply is kept on top of the lockers. One key ring holds a plastic device for opening the towel holders and both have small keys for opening the toilet roll holders and soap dispensers. All members are encouraged to replenish these items when they run out and report to a member of the committee when the stocks are getting low.
Car parking
Some car parking is available at the club on a first come first served basis. Cars must be parked close together and close to the perimeter to maximise usage. Parking on the road to the club is pay and display during the week and on Saturdays but is free on Sundays.
Security
High security padlocks are used on the front gate, river gates and launch store (it is not possible to remove the key from the lock without securing it). Combination locks are used on the front and river gates whilst the club is in use. The combination for the lock can be provided to members upon request.
CCTV surveillance cameras are installed in various places around the site.
Boat repairs
The boatmaster is responsible for arranging boat repairs, if it is an insurance issue or serious damage, we transport boats off site to a boat repairer. Materials are paid for by the club. Any damage found on and boats or blades must be reported to the boat master by text or email immediately after the outing.
Meetings
Management committee and rowing committee
The management committee comprises four principal officers:
- Chairman
- Hon. treasurer
- Hon. secretary
- Director of rowing
They are augmented by other persons, nominated by the committee with other responsibilities ie boatmaster, safety adviser, squad co-ordinators etc. The committee meet on predetermined dates throughout the year.
In addition, the director of rowing holds rowing meetings to establish and organise the rowing, racing, coaching and training together with the boat usage, repairs and replacement.
Copies of the minutes of these meetings are displayed on the notice board.
Site maintenance
Grass – an old petrol driven motor mower is kept in the riverside boathouse. It is maintained by a club member. Any senior member is permitted to use this at his or her own risk and members are encouraged to do so regularly in order to keep the site tidy. We do not keep petrol on site so when you plan to use the machine bring your own unleaded petrol; it only uses a little over a pint.
When using the mower take care not to cut off any small shrubs alongside the perimeter fence line. Also, beware loose stones and the bottom of the boat racks. Do not cut too close to racked boats in case the mower damages them. Please make sure that you have adequate protective clothing before using.
Trees and bushes – There are a number of prickly bushes along the perimeter fence. This is deliberate as we planted them as a deterent to people wishing to climb over. They need pruning from time to time to maintain height and to prevent them becoming too bushy. Members are encouraged to assist in pruning but should fetch along their own tools, gloves etc. Prunings should be gathered up and left in a pile on the ground behind the portacabins.
Litter – plastic bottles and litter should be placed in the bins or plastic sacks around the club not left in lying on the ground, or in the huts and changing rooms for others to pick up. We keep black plastic sacks in the lockers with the toilet rolls etc. There is a weekly rubbish collection using the green wheelie bin near the gate.
Riverside maintenance
The plants and bushes along the towpath grow prolifically. Each year we carry out pruning to improve river visibility. Members are encouraged to assist on work days.
Events
The club enters many rowing events throughout the year, either Head Races or regattas. These are shown on BR’s calendar.
The club hosts two events on our river, the Spring and Autumn Heads. These are usually held on the first Sunday in March and the first Sunday in October, but these dates can change. (For the organisation of these see later).
Trailer and launch maintenance
The club owns three trailers one is a heavyweight and the other two lightweight meaning that they are lighter to tow because they cannot contain as many boats.
People towing trailers must comply with the relevant licensing and regulations as stated on BR website. They are also responsible for seeing that the trailers are correctly loaded and the boats and loose equipment secured. Any damage incurred whilst in use must be reported immediately to a committee member.
The club owns one Zodiac inflatable launch and engine. This is kept in a security store next to the river boathouse. The fuel (100:1 mixture) is kept in the tin fuel store next to the trailers. Both boats are fitted with a safety bag containing the requisite safety equipment. This must be checked for completeness before using the launch. The foot pumps are specific to each launch and should be kept onboard. The engines are secured, when in the security shed with a chain and combination lock.
The trailers and two launch engines are serviced annually.
Outings and boat booking
Crews and coxswains should assess the suitability of the crew against the list of boat usage, where unsure check with the Director of Rowing, before booking a boat for an outing. There is an online boat booking system available to all club member
Before going afloat every crew should carry out its own assessment to satisfy themselves that it is safe to go on the water. A risk assessment form is provided in the middle boathouse and this should be completed by the steersperson/coxswain if there are any doubts. It takes cognisance of the river and weather conditions together with the experience of the crew. If in doubt DON’T GO OUT.
Club Steps
The steps should be cleared of duck/goose excrement and mud before launching any boats. Scrappers and brooms are available in the boathouse. Generally the first crews down are expected to clear off the steps but please always do it before going out.
Traffic light boards
There are three boards, red, amber and green on the left hand side next to the river gate. The club Diector of Rowing and Safety Advisor decide on the appropriate colour of board. Red means no one goes afloat. Amber means only suitably experienced members can go afloat, as determined by their coach or the director of rowing. Please read notice displayed at club for the detailed rules. Green means it is safe to row.
These boards should not be ignored as members and equipment can be hurt or damaged if used in unsuitable conditions. Insurance is also likely to be invalidated.
Before going afloat the boat name/number and person in charge of the crew should be entered in the outing book by the gate on the door of the river boathouse. On return the sheet should be marked up.
After each outing, boats must be washed down inside and out. The tap is at the end of the river boathouse. Buckets and sponges are available. Washing up liquid is under the sink in the kitchen for filling up smaller container by the tap.
Incident reporting
A capsize, collision or near miss should be reported in the incident report folder which is on the noticeboard in the kitchen or online on BR’s website. These are then reported to BR by the safety advisor.
First aid
The first aid cupboard is in the kitchen.
Winter training
The club hires a sports hall in a local school one evening a week for winter circuit training (October to March). This is paid for by members subscriptions. Other training is available in the training hut under the guidance of specific coaches.
Bank details
Membership
Sort code: 40-31-06
Account: 52296810
Race Entries
Sort code: 40-31-06
Account: 42292556
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM is held in December.
Annual dinner
Usually held in October.
Autumn and Spring Small Boats Heads
These are run by a sub committee of members. All other members are encouraged to help with duties on the day, as it is a major fund raising event for the club.
Launch driving
A number of members of the club are certificated level 2 RYA launch drivers. It is only they who are permitted to drive the launches at the Head races. A list of these people is on the notice board. Basic training can be provided to members interested in learning how to operate the launches. Please speak to the director of rowing.
Coxswains
The coxswain is a crucial member of a crew, no cox no row!
They are responsible for the safety of the crew and the boat and should be given respect. Members should make sure that a cox is booked before arranging an outing. Remember, we have some very good junior coxes and no doubt there are several youngsters who would welcome the opportunity to cox a senior boat, why not ask them?
Club kit
The club colours are white, lilac and black. Blades should be painted lilac (pantone 264) with a black stripe.
The club has an arrangement with a rowing clothing supplier, details of ordering dates are published on the internet noticeboard.
Privately owned boats/blades
There are numerous privately owned boats and blades at the club. Members should not use or interfere with this equipment without the express authority of the owners.
If in doubt as to which boat you can use please ask the director of rowing.
Competing
Members must be gold members of British Rowing.
If competing crews must wear matching club kit.
Online Boat Booking
There is an on line facility to reserve boats. Members are encouraged to do this and also to check if boats have been reserved before taking them out.
Log on to the booking site at http://www.bookingsystem.com/cgi-bin/live/bscp/html/LogIn.html
Organisation ID: MIRC
Member ID: 016
Password: booking1
Full instructions on using this system are available here:
MIRC Online Boat Booking Instructions