We’re a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accredited sailing school and we use safety boats when providing sailing lessons as standard. Obviously, our professional sailing instructors are there to advise you on technique and can steer the most novice of sailors away from calamity as much as possible. However, we must make provisions to ensure that you gain the best possible experience from your sailing lessons and your safety is always our first thought.

The size of safety boat that accompanies you when sailing depends very much on the size of your sailing fleet, with our 5 metre RIB used for smaller groups and our 7 metre RIB used as safety boat for larger fleets. Our safety boats are there just in case the wind should catch you unawares or if you should stray out of your designated sailing area. The Cobnor safety boat instructors patrols the waters while sailing lessons are in progress and at the first sign that a sailing dinghy and her crew need helps it will be there to provide assistance.

Just take this example, while sailing just off Bosham shoreline during last year’s Cobstock weekend one of our Bosun capsized. One of our safety boat instructors observed the capsize and was there in a matter of seconds to check that the passengers were unharmed. He helped them aboard the power boat and performed a nifty manoeuvre to get the dinghy back afloat so that he could tow her back to Cobnor base. This kind of scenario is part and parcel of sailing instruction and Cobnor Activities Centre is proud to have a team they can rely on.

We’re so confident in our safety boat crew that we provide RYA Powerboat Level 2 courses, instructor courses and safety boat courses. Our 5.5 metre RIBs provide excellent stable platforms for such tuition to take place and our 4 metre Commando is used as an example of a tiller-driven outboard (as opposed to a steering wheel and throttled lever).Our 7 metre craft, Jenny Boon,  is used in powerboat courses to demonstrate wave handling. It’s crucial that those learning to use powerboats get the most experience possible in a range of crafts and weather conditions, preparing them for any eventuality.

You can find out more about our upcoming RYA Powerboat Instructor courses, RYA Powerboat Level 2 courses and RYA Safety Boat courses by checking out our schedule.

This annual event is organised to raise money for Cobnor Activities Centre, Christian Youth Enterprises and the Racecourse Sanctuary. Combining live music with outdoor activities, Cobstock has taken place at Cobnor for the past three years and has proved a great fundraising success as well as a huge hit with guests.

The action began on Friday afternoon as campers arrived and set up ready for the weekend ahead. After booking places on the activities they most wanted to experience, from both land-based and water-based, Friday evening offered a range of music from local bands and a fantastic festival vibe. Guests had the choice of staying on the campsite, staying in Cobnor Activities Centre’s log cabins or staying on CYE’s T.S Resolute.

Saturday Cobstockers rose early to make the most of the day’s activities. This year guests of all ages and abilities could choose from the following:

• Bosun sailing
• Wayfarer sailing
• Archery
• Rock climbing and abseiling
• Kayaking
• Open canoeing
• Chichester Harbour tour on the Cobnor Chairboat

Outdoor activities ran throughout Saturday, despite the somewhat blustery conditions. The wind meant that the sailing instructors, kayaking instructors and safety boat team had to work harder than usual and they sought out sheltered parts of the harbour to make it easier on guests where possible. The conditions certainly made things that little bit more interesting out on the water and even lead to an exciting capsize rescue mission – don’t fear, no one was harmed, it was all taken in the stride of our brave adventurers!

The live music began at 13.00 and played until midnight and the bar was open this whole time, offering adults such delights as Chucklehead Cider. The kids didn’t miss out though as they could indulge in locally made organic ice cream from Caroline’s Dairy, offering delicious flavours such as lemon meringue, mint choc chip and rhubarb – yum!

Here’s what just one happy Cobstocker had to say: “Fantastic activities, so well planned and executed can’t wait for next year.” Nicola Gouldstone, St Margaret’s, Twickenham.  

Have you got anything you’d like to say about the live music and outdoor activities at this year’s Cobstock 3? Please leave a comment below, we love to hear your feedback.

Cobnor Activities Centre would like to say a big thank you to all involved in organising Cobstock 3, to all those volunteers that made sure the weekend ran smoothly and to all of you that bought tickets! 

The major £1million building and refurbishment project, which completed last April,  has not only seen two fully refurbished residential buildings and a brand new state-of-the-art building but also a large classroom, equipped with the latest data communications. The new residential facilities feature increased sleeping space, two rooms designated to course leaders and improved shower and toilet facilities whereas the new educational facilities are fully equipped with IT facilities and support, a big screen for presentations and WIFI access. 

Cobnor’s new facilities were officially opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mrs Susan Pyper, and the Bourne Community College Band provided a celebratory vibe to the day. Chairman of Cobnor Activities Centre, Barry Colegate, opened this momentous day’s proceedings by showing appreciation to all those involved in making the refurbishment project happen. His thanks went out to various charities, companies and trusts, West Sussex County Council, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and local schools.

Barry also mentioned the three 100 metre boreholes, which guests were standing on as they listened to his speech.  He told how these, along with solar panelling, are supplying the building’s energy system. This highlights Cobnor’s careful consideration of the environment in the construction of these new facilities that are sure to benefit many local youth groups for years to come. He then handed over to Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex for the official unveiling of Martin Beale’s commemorative plaque.

The Lord Lieutenant told guests how Cobnor is a place she knows and admires; she often walks along Cobnor Point and has seen many changes and developments over the years. Mrs Pyper also noted how lucky we are to have somewhere like Cobnor Activities Centre in our locality:

“What a very happy occasion and a great achievement. We’re so lucky to have such a centre of excellence for our young people (and not so young people) to learn and enjoy outdoor activities and, overall, have fun. It’s a very fitting memorial to Martin Beale.”

Mrs Pyper also gave thanks to those involved in the new development, including the current Chairman Barry and his predecessor Nick Fox. After officially naming the building she handed over to Martin Beale’s daughter, Diana Beale, to say a few words.

Diana was delighted with Cobnor’s dedication to her father, Cobnor’s founder, Martin Beale, and stated that she was: “seriously chuffed with the occasion”. She talked about how her dad’s spirit is still here in his legacy; that he knew so many people and had so many friends from different walks of life and his greatest legacy of all is the network of relationships out of which Cobnor Activities Centre has flourished.

Acknowledgement of how her father would have been delighted with the way things were continuing to run was also given by Diana. She mentioned that her dad would have been thrilled that the official naming event was announced by the Lord Lieutenant, having been a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant himself. She also gave special thanks to Mark Murray-Brown and Liz Wilson, who have been running Cobnor Activities Centre for quite a while now. Diana maintained that Mark and Liz’s connections with the Beale family are more than just those of colleagues and that Martin would be delighted with the way they have continued to run the business he began back in the 1950s with strong family connections.

Certain her father would have approved of a local construction company’s involvement in the project, Diana gave mention to Nutbourne Construction.  Another company involved in the new construction was AES Solar Systems, who provided the solar panelling for the environmentally friendly building. George Goudsmit was delighted to be involved in the project and said this of Cobnor Activities Centre: “Fantastic, it’s a very inspiring and very cared for place. I’m happy to be involved.”

Diana also expressed that Martin would have been pleased, and perhaps somewhat amused, by some of the ways the funds for this exciting project were achieved. For example, the contribution of Cobstock, Cobnor’s annual music festival and very own Glastonbury!

There was even a reference to Pete and Bryn’s quirky staff training emails, which Diana’s children who are now part of the Cobnor Activities Centre staff, regularly receive. She made a request for a Christmas book compiling their witty efforts – hmmm we’ll see about that, shall we lads? Not sure it would make a bestseller’s list!

Overall, Diana willed everyone to keep supporting Cobnor Activities Centre, stating that the day’s event: “was a wonderful reunion for all those involved over the years. My father would be pleased with the excellent work that’s been done here and still continues to be done.” Barry Colegate summed up the formal proceedings beautifully by saying of Martin Beale: “If you’re seeking his monument just look around you.”

Chidham Primary School then read some poetry inspired by their experiences at Cobnor Activities Centre (which will be published in a later blog). Bryn Jones, who has worked at the Centre as a sailing instructor for nine years, commented: “It was a wonderful day. It was especially nice to hear about Chidham Primary School’s experiences.” The children then presented the Lord-Lieutenant with a bouquet of flowers, which was a lovely finishing touch.

After the formalities it was time for the guests to enjoy sandwiches and refreshments while taking a look around the new facilities. Brian and Moira Strickland and Christopher and Annette Whitmorejones, who were involved in Cobnor Activities Centre’s early days, were delighted to have this opportunity to come back and see how things have developed, and said: “Amazing! It’s lovely to see how far the Centre’s come over the last 40 years.”

For more photos please visit: http://www.facebook.com/CobnorActivitiesCentre.

The fun began on Friday night when guests arrived to listen to music from 7.00pm. but Saturday brought a whole day of activities including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, abseiling, archery and trips around Chichester Harbour in Cobnor Activities Centre’s specially designed Chairboat. The sun was shining and there was a little breeze, making it ideal weather to enjoy outdoor activities, both water and land-based.

We sent our roving reporter out on the Chairboat so that while those onboard enjoyed a relaxing cruise around the Harbour, almost as far as East Head, she could get some great shots of the passengers enjoying themselves and other guests partaking in Bosun sailing, sea kayaking and canoeing with Cobnor Activities Centre and Wayfarer sailing with CYE. Kate also went out for a spin on our largest patrolling powerboat, Jenny Boone, and while she cooled off with the sea-breeze through her hair she also got some fantastic action shots of families enjoying watersports.

On land, the climbing tower and archery field were popular attractions and those who were at Cobstock to enjoy the music didn’t have long to wait as it all kicked off at 2.00pm. Here are just some of the highlights from the billing:

The Kids Next Door, two local girls and a boy, got huge cheers of support for their great acoustic renditions of some KT Tunstall and Outcast chart-toppers. Redshift were another young  group, all lads this time, with an Indie-Rock edge that contributed to a particularly good cover of the Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. The Dave Band with their folk vibe boasted two excellent female singers and bongos, which are always a winner in our opinion. They did some beautiful Gabriella Cilmi, hand-clapping Hard -Fi, and a Winehouse-esque Vallerie that rocked the field. 

Later on, there came hearty blues from Dolphin, which gave a chilled out start to the evening and was a favourite with young and old. Also worth a mention is strummer extraordinaire Duncan McKenzie; just one man and his acoustic guitar who impressed the crowd with his talents reminiscent of Rodrigo y Gabriella. The Naked Flames brought us some Feeder, Stereophonics and yet more Kings of Leon. Aimee Lee sang some chilled out classics including Florence and the Machine’s Raise it Up and later on came Tim Sturdy who Kate sadly missed but is guessing that he gave a great performance based on last year. See Cobstock 2009 blog entry.

All this fabulous music and those fun-packed outdoor activities washed down with a hearty organic burger, some delicious sate sticks from the Ca’noodle Thai Taste and a few refreshing ciders with a lot of sunshine (and only the tiniest hint of rain) made for a perfect local festival. Who’s looking forward to Cobstock 2011? We are!

Tickets went on sale in April for £20 per person, with the added option of camping on site for an extra £3.50 per person or bunking in the Residential Accommodation for £10 per room.  The event was a sell-out within a matter of days and this was the first indication that Cobstock was going to be a great way to add to the charity’s funds so they can go on providing a service to children and adults throughout the local area.  In fact, Cobstock was such a success that there is already talk of a similar event being planned for next year but it’s to be spread across the entire weekend, creating an even greater festival vibe.

The day’s events started with an array of activities on offer for the bargain price of £5 a pop, with a special offer of 5 activities for £20.  Ticket holders could choose from sailing, kayaking, a ride on the Chair Boat, climbing, or archery and were guided through by dedicated volunteers from the Centre who gave up their day to give something back to their employers.  And to top it off the weather was amazing; warm and sunny with a lovely breeze that helped the water sports no end.

Music kicked off early afternoon and continued until midnight when everyone moved over to the campfire for a good old sing song while swaying to the flames.  The highlight of the entertainment for me was the acoustic duo performed by the Centre’s own Owen “Baby” Sennet, on guitar, and the lovely Amy, who gave it her all on the vocals.  Their covers of Nora Jones and Eva Cassady were blinding and, although it made me giggle, a rather controversial version of Lily Allen’s “Not fair” received mixed reviews (perhaps the radio edit would have been a tad more suitable considering the audience, guys!)  But don’t get me wrong, Amy and Owen did an exceptional job and we were wholly impressed that two 17-year-olds could get up there in front of the crowd, belt it out and even draw the first dancers of the evening out of their seats. Well done guys and don’t forget you’re booked for the Alner/Lassetter wedding!

After this I did my security stint checking for wrist bands as punters came through the field gate.  I loved getting all “if your name’s not on the list, you’re not coming in”; it suited me just fine and also gave some of the staff who had been slogging in the sun all day a well deserved rest!  Despite a few misplaced children, that we quickly reunited with their parents, and my having to endure a few shenanigans from a certain Mr Myer, all went smoothly (but I shouldn’t say that too boldly in case I get roped in to help again next year!)

The other act that got me bobbing along was Wittering’s Tim Sturdy. In my opinion, anyone who can work Johnny Cash and King Louie (off the Jungle Book) into the same set has got to be worth their salt. You may think Cash is a bit sombre for a cheery summer event such as this but I can tell you with confidence that Mr Sturdy has that certain something that just makes you smile and nod your head along with the tunes. The rendition of that Disney classic also had audience members of all ages singing along, strutting their funky stuff and I’m sure I even saw a few bear cubs swinging through the trees.

None of this would have been possible without the light and sound crew.  Of course the good weather was in their favour, but the sound was crystal clear and used the water’s natural acoustics so that the harbour could share in the delights of Cobstock. And as the sun went down behind the stage the lighting flicked on and illuminated the bosun sails which hung decoratively above; a nautical nicety indeed.

There was also a good range of food and beverages available in the main field.  The Organic Burger people did a roaring trade in their tasty Sussex and Hampshire sourced burgers and sausages (I munched my way through a particularly good lamb burger). Lois O’Connel also brought us the SexWaxSandwichShack, which made a variety of fresh sarnies and snacks available throughout the day.  In true festival spirit there were also a few hippy stalls on site and, being the girl that I am, I couldn’t resist buying myself a soft fleecey blanket for when we were to snuggle around the campfire after sundown.

The bar was another highlight, as it should be at any successful event of this sort.  There was a good range of local beers on offer, from refreshing Chucklehead Cider to hearty Ballards ale.  The wine list was also particularly impressive, with a bottle to taste every palate and pocket and of course there were soft drinks to please kids and drivers alike.  The bar tent also managed to stay breezy, fresh and crowd free as there weren’t several hundred people trying to huddle from the rain!

Things couldn’t have worked out better really. It seems a good time was had by all – good food, good drink, good music, activity fun and exceptional weather. Cobstock most certainly did rock and we’re looking forward to seeing the event prosper again next year. Thanks and well done to everyone who got involved it was a great success and a total of over £9,000 was raised as a result.

Kate Lassetter
www.chichestercopywriter.co.uk