Ralph was a leading boat builder who built many gigs and played a central role in the rebirth of the sport of gig rowing and racing. Ralph supported Gail McGarva and advised and offered help in building Lyme Regis first gig Rebel and attended her launch. Lyme Regis Gig Club is very sad to learn that Ralph died and offers condolences to his family and many friends in Cornwall.’

Obituary for Michael Rushforth

News of the death of Michael Rushforth has been greeted with sadness by his many friends who include the members of Lyme Gig Club. Michael worked resolutely to establish the Lyme Regis Club and forged close links with HMS Conway and its Association, whose seafaring traditions the Club works to uphold. To the last Michael lived life to the full and will be remembered for his energy,intelligence,experience and his lasting love of the sea.
Michael was born in 1938,educated at Bentham Grammar School and HMS Conway. After a spell in the Merchant Navy with the Blue Funnel Line he left the sea to help care for his parents who were suffering from poor health. Michael's career thereafter was in agriculture,specialising in animal nutrition sales and advice. On retirement he was living in St Mawes,Cornwall and moved to Lyme Regis in January ,2007.
Michael leaves his wife Angela, children Sue and Tom , and grandchildren Gemma and Jake who miss him greatly.
A family service for Michael will be held at the Parish church of St Michael the Archangel in Lyme Regis on October at 2.30 pm. followed by a gathering for family and friends at the Pilot Boat inn.
Marcus Dixon Chairman Lyme Regis Gig Club.Tel 01297445021 e-mail:marcus@lrdt.co.uk

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Sadness to report.

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Michael Rushforth, cox and gentleman of the sea died this morning having suffered a heart attack following an operation to repair a burst aorta.
We will be sending flowers to his wife Angela, and family,over the next couple days,with the condolences and sympathy of all at the Gig Club.
I will let you know as soon as l know of the date of the funeral.

Liz.

You will see Mike featured in an article with Archie Smith just below on this blog

EGM of the Lyme Regis Gig Club

The meeting of the EGM on the 18th September at the Power Boat Club with Chairman Marcus Dixon leading the proceedings. To agree a slight amendment to the constitution and agree to establish a rowing committee.

Launching of the latest Gig took place today REVENGE

The launch of our latest Gig was put into the water after the usual splash of a bottle by the members. If any member was there and took some pic's perhaps they would like to send them to me by email

Archie and Mike

Archie Smith a very welcome visitor to the LRGC

PRESIDENT of the HMS Conway Club, which aims to maintain relationships with former cadets of the HMS Conway training ship, visited Lyme Regis last week and praised the town’s boating organisations.

The visit from Archie Smith was organised by Lyme Regis Gig Club member Michael Rushforth, who is a former cadet on the HMS Conway.

He said: “This visitor is special and could do a lot of good for the youth of the town in terms of either sea careers or maritime employment through his wide office of expertise.”

The Conway Club has already donated the gig club with a super cruiser to sell at Rob Perry Marine to fund their new safety boat, which will be called “The Conway”. They will also be awarding a historical cup from a collection that has been on display at HMS Devonport in Plymouth.

Mr Smith, who is also director and chief of the global Oil Spill Response Ltd, was shown around the Boat Building Academy and viewed the gig club’s first vessel “Rebel” with bosun Chris Douglas, followed by a viewing of their second boat, which is currently under construction, “Black Ven”, with boat-builder Gail McGarva.

The academy also provided lunch for the guest, who was given a “Rebel” polo shirt and cap.

Mr Rushforth said: “Archie left with a big smile on his face and was amazed at the skill and dedication here in Lyme Regis on all matters to do with the sea, and the community spirit portrayed at the Boat Building Academy.

“His interests spread far and wide in the marine industry and he has special feeling for our gig club.”

Mr Rushforth is also hoping to open a Conway Centre in the town, full of artefacts and memorabilia from the training ship.

FORMER CADETS: President of the HMS Conway Club Archie Smith with former HMS Conway cadet and member of Lyme Regis Gig Club, Michael Rushforth.

GOOD JOB: Archie Smith meets Boatbuilding Academy Student Paul working on his boat..

You cannot keep them apart I am told

Sunday Augusr 2nd Launch day of Black Ven

To everyone out there dont forget to watch the launching of the new Gig BlackVen . It will be a wonderful occasion for the people of Lyme Regis. It was . The weather was good the sea testing More pics to follow. Click our magnificent choristers at the top.

Black Ven now being oiled for more pics go to page three

The new gig Blackven waiting to be oiled and painted

Latest pictures of the new gig Blackven now awaiting oiling. They feature Gaul a apprentice boat builder and a group of very happy children being introduced to a Gig for the first time. Oiling starts today.

The picture and text you see here are of Gail who has built both Gigs for the Lyme Regis Gig Club. She is sitting in a boat that is called a Double Ended Shetland Boat. A replica of the boat built in 1882 and launched in UNST the most northerly island of the Shetland Islands..

Wednesday ladies night at the C obb

Gig launch delayed

Launch of the second Lyme Regis Gig delayed slightly watch this space for the new launch date

Model of a Bermuda Gig

This model presented to Lyme Regis from Bermuda

Visiting Bridport

Recently our Chairman and I attended a meeting at Bridport to support them in starting a Gig club. Tremendous enthusiasm at this meeting with over fifty people turning up .Marcus and Gail gave talks on there expertise one for administration and the other for Gog building. This weekend we have invited Bridport to Lyme for taster sessions to help them on there way .

AGM Meeting of the Gig Club 2009

The 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Lyme Regis Gig Club took place at the Lyme Regis Power Boat Clubhouse Lyme Regis on Friday 27th March ,commencing at 7.30 pm. The Agenda contained the Chairmans report , adoption of the Clubs' audited accounts, rowing report, of and if agreed adoption of amendments to the Club's constitution (details available ) and election of officers. and committee.. All the results of the Agenda items are available from the Club Secretary

Details for rota 21st March

TRAINING ROTA, SATURDAY 21ST MARCH.

8.30 AM 9.30 AM 10.15 AM 10.45 AM 11.15 AM
Chris walters Gemma Barton Henry Barlow Sue Riley Spare
Paul Dyer Jackie O’Leary Cameron Short Diana Dixon Spare
Mike O’Leary Lis Dyer Michelle Prosser John Stork Spare
Brian Fletcher Deb Hunt Mandy Johns Hugh Corbin Spare
Ben Short Helen Edwards Tony Short Yvonne Sterry Spare
Neil spurdle Sue Beckers Geoff Legg Joe Broughton Spare





Gig Training Telephone: 07531191547. Ring to check if training is on.







TRAINING ROTA, SATURDAY 14th MARCH.

9.00 AM 10.00 AM 11.00AM 11.45 AM
Brian Fletcher Jackie O’Leary John Stork Spare
Cam Short Lis Dyer Gill Bailey Spare
Henry Barlow Mandy Johns Hugh Corbin Spare
Mike O’Leary Michelle Prosser Pam Corbin Spare
Chris Walters Sue Beckers Susan Riley Spare
Paul Dyer Deb Hunt Yvonne Sterry Spare

TRAINING ROTA, SUNDAY 15th MARCH.

9.00 AM 10.00 AM 10.45AM 11.15 PM
Henry Barlow Geoff Legg Gill Bailey Spare
Lis Dyer Paul Dyer John Stork Spare
Mandy Johns Cam Short Juliet Hankey Spare
Andy Schmidt Zac Hunt Spare Spare
Sue Beckers Deb Hunt Spare Spare
Chris Walters Spare Spare Spare




Gig Training Telephone: 07531191547. Ring to check if










TRAINING ROTA, SATURDAY 7th MARCH.

9.30 AM 10.30 AM 11.15AM 12.00 PM 12.30 PM
Brian Fletcher Jackie O’Leary Paul Dyer Marcus Dixon Spare
Neil Spurdle Lis Dyer Helen Edwards John Stork Spare
Henry Barlow Gemma Barton Sue Beckers Ben Short Spare
Isaac Hunt Michelle Prosser Sam Eyres Spare Spare
Chris Walters Jo Schmidt Mandy Johns Spare Spare
Andy Schmidt Deb Hunt Spare Spare Spare

TRAINING ROTA, SUNDAY 8th MARCH.

10.00 AM 11.00 AM 11.45AM 12.15 PM
Henry Barlow Geoff Legg Marcus Dixon Spare
Helen Edwards Mandy Johns John Stork Spare
Jackie O’Leary Sam Eyres Yvonne Sterry Spare
Andy Schmidt Zac Hunt Spare Spare
Jo Schmidt Deb Hunt Spare Spare
Chris Walters Sue Beckers Spare Spare




Gig Training Telephone: 07531191547. Ring to check if t









Hi all.
Attached is this weekends rota.
For those of you who have ordered kit, or want to see what we've got, Tony will be down at 11 am, on the slipway, so bring your cheque books!
Cheers,
TRAINING ROTA, SATURDAY 21st FEBRUARY.
TRAINING ROTA, SATURDAY 21st FEBRUARY.

9.30 AM 10.30 AM 11.15AM 11.45 AM 12.15 PM
Brian Fletcher Jackie O’Leary Marcus Dixon Tony Short Deb Lathey
Neil Spurdle Lis Dyer Geoff Legg Nicola Tee Zac Lathey
Henry Barlow Jo Schmidt Gill bailey Mandy Johns Pam Corbin
Paul Dyer Sam Eyres John Stork Yvonne Sterry Spare
Chris Walters Michelle Prosser Eva ? Ben short Spare
Andy Schmidt Gemma Barton Eva ? Cam Short Spare

TRAINING ROTA, SUNDAY 22nd FEBRUARY.

9.00 AM 10.00 AM 10.45AM 11.15AM
Chris Walters Geoff Legg Tony Short Pam Corbin
Henry Barlow Lis Dyer Paul Dyer John Stork
Jackie O’Leary Ben Short Sue Riley Spare
Andy Schmidt Cam Short Nicola Tee Spare
Jo Schmidt Mandy Johns Deb Lathey Spare
Sue Beckers Helen Edwards Zac Lathey Spare
Gig Training Telephone: 07531191547. Ring to check if training
rowing Telephone: 07531191547. Ring to check if training

Hi all.
Attached is this weekends rota. I've unfortunately had to postpone the taster session, again, due to the weather forecast. It is going to be very cold, with easterly winds, and so not the conditions for having your first row! Unlikely we'll get out at all on Sunday, so check the phone.

Just a gentle reminder that the deadline for letting me know if you can row is Thursday evening, and if you can all possibly stick to that it does make my life a little easier.
Thanks.
H.




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Message from Henry below for this weekends rowing

Hi all.
Rota attached, please note times. We will be using Victoria pool for crew changes.
The weather is looking a bit dodgy again, so please use the message service. I will always endeavour to get the gig on the water, as I appreciate the disappointment when rowing is cancelled. That said, I do have a responsibility for all rowers, and while the sea can often look okay from land, the reality is usually very different on the water. When you factor in tide, wind, current, and the speed the weather can change, you can see why I have to be cautious.
Fingers crossed for the weekend.
Cheers