NEWSLINE Issue 9 -16^th August 1999

Worcester - Only 16 people put their names down to go, but at the last minute someone dropped out and we were left with 15.

Okay some people are on holiday, but what about the rest of you? You have let the rest of the team down.

Training - again, where are you? We haven't been able to train on a Sunday for the past 3 weeks. The Great River Race is only 3 weeks away, we haven't been able to go out. How can we possible make it four in a row if some members can't be bothered to turn up.

Dragon Boating is about being a team, training and working together to win. We go out with a full crew and we do well and team spirit is high, but when only the usual members turn up and we go out with barely a team, morale is lost.

I can't stress enough the importance of turning up for training and events. All we ask of you is to pay £60 a year membership and to attend training and events. In return, you get:- Gym and boating facilities, kit, paddles, social events, subsidised events, minibuses etc. Is it too much to ask to make an effort to turn up.

Training in the gym is 7.30pm on Tuesday nights. It's a great workout. Training on the river, Thursday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 10.30am. Be There!!

We will be flying with British Airways from Heathrow on Friday 10^th September at 1410 on flight number BA0556 arriving in Rome at 1735. We will need to be there at 12pm. We are sorting out whether we can get a minibus to take us all together.

The returning flight on Sunday 12^th September is at 1835 from Leonardo Da Vinci airport, Rome on flight number BA0557, arriving at Heathrow at 2020.

Make sure that you have a valid passport - you can no longer get 1 year passports, so check this out now before you go. The Post Office can renew your passport if it has expired within 2 years.

There are still a few people who haven't given in their photos and those who are taking partners, need to pay the final instalment by Friday 20^th.

There will be a deposit of £27 for all new paddles issued. Cheques should be undated and will only be cashed if the paddle is not returned at the end of the season or is broken.

A complete waste of time. Only 5 crew members turned up for this. How are we supposed to recruit new members, when the current ones can't be bothered!

Thanks to Jo, Louise, Sean, Linda, Ian, Cass and Dave (who came after work) for painting and rubbing down the trailer and paddles. And, thanks to everyone else for leaving it up to these members to do the work for you! These are your paddles and trailer too!

The Barn, Eton 7.30pm onwards. Fish and Chips/Chicken and Chips. £8.00 a ticket including food. There will be betting all night on the horses, race auctions, prizes, cheap bar and lots of fun. We need volunteers to do the totes and bar and to walk round selling doubles etc.

Get your tickets before Thursday 19^th from Cass on 01753 830894 or at Training.

5 September - Great River Race

10-12 September -Rome

2-3 October - Nottingham Finals

23^rd October - Batchworth Triathlon