MST logo

Revelations

The Newsletter of the Morning Star Association

September 1996

[Home] [Newsletter Index] [Contact Morning Star Trust] 

Contents:

To jump to a section of interest, just click on one of the highlighted items below. To return here, click on the word "Contents" at the end of each section, or press the Back button on your browser.

Home from a record breaking summer

Morning Star was back in Chatham on schedule after more than nine weeks away from base. Accounts of her various doings will appear in this and later editions of Revelations. While away she made her longest-ever passage (in distance, not time), and reached her furthest ever from base (St. Petersburg). A record value of food was on board when she left (nearly UKP2,000). She passed a record number of islands (not countable). Happily, there was not a record number of problems with the boat. Just before leaving Chatham a problem with the mizzen mast meant it had to come down and be repaired. In Turku, Tim had to deal with an engine mountings problem. Also, during TS2 skipper Chris Wren had to deal with damage caused when the engine cooling intake blocked, a weakness in the bobstay and a failure in the steering at an interesting moment approaching the Kiel canal entrance. Congratulations and thanks to Chris for dealing with this one and keeping the boat on schedule. Nor were our racing results a record, but eighth in class in Race 1 and sixth in Race 2 was very respectable.
 
 

Mike Ling took over in Amsterdam and brought the boat back to Chatham. Mike has given us a great deal of time this year. It has been really good to have his experience and spiritual leadership on board, and this was shown once again in the Autumn week which has just finished. On the cruise home they encountered probably the heaviest weather of the year, taking 37 hours from Flushing to the Medway, with headwinds and very large seas. Inevitably the boat reached base with several items needing urgent attention, but there was nothing that prevented her going out again just 24 hours later for the DofE residential trip. Altogether a very successful summer, and one where we have known God's protection, and seen Him revealed in his creation and in his ability to change lives for the better.

EDITORIAL

Welcome to another Wonderful Revelations. We've got general news, people news, programme news, Tall Ships news, cruise news and lots of Gems. Thank you to all who have contributed news, articles and thoughts to this edition.

For the techno-nerds among you, the June Revelations is now available on the Internet, courtesy of one of our supporters, to be found here. The current brochure is also available here.

 I have just spent a week on board Morning Star during which we never reached any of our planned destinations and it was interesting to discover that it didn't matter at all. One of the highlights of the week for me was Mike the Skipper discovering on 11th September, six cans of squirty cream that had to be finished by 11th September.

 Have a great autumn,

Lucy

 Contents

NEWS NEWS NEWS

Ken Miles Bursary Fund - up and running

The balance of funds from the Kent Sea Training Association was transferred to us in August. The amount involved is some 34,000. This has been invested, and the interest will be used to support Kent young people on sail training activities. The fund itself will also be used up over a period of ten years and we plan to have around 3,000 available per year initially, increasing to perhaps double that by the end of the ten years.

 As part of the agreement that set up the fund, we welcome Neil Colbeck as a Trustee member of the Trust. Neil is the head of outdoor education for Kent County Council. He also heads Medway Outdoor Education. He is thus a very useful man to have around. He is currently working hard to make the possibilities with Morning Star known to schools and youth organisations throughout the county. We are setting up additional promotional activities for the October half term week, with a three-day activity for Kent Youth, partly funded from the KMBF.
 
 

Committee away day

The committee recently spent a whole day together in the very pleasant surroundings of Mike Maconochie's house at Oundle school. As well as being extremely well fed and looked after, a large part of the time was spent considering the way ahead for the work of the Trust as we emerge from the financial difficulties of the last two years. The route to a second large boat seems to be closed at the moment. A plan that is being seriously considered is to expand work with local young people, using small boats as well as Eagles Wings and Morning Star. There is no lack of small boats and equipment available at no cost through our new links with KCC. Indeed, we have just run a successful evening activity in the Dockyard basin for the youth group from a local church, using eight Toppers. These plans are at a very early stage, and we wait to see if this is the way that God will lead us. Revelations will keep you posted.
 
 

Annual conference

This event takes place on November 15-17, once again we shall be visiting Dovedale House, a diocesan youth centre in the Derbyshire village of Ilam. While this is the setting for the Trust AGM, and therefore mainly aimed at Morning Star Trust full members, any MSA members who would really like to join in would be very welcome. Ring Jane at the office for details.
 
 

Update on finances

Following recent scheduled repayments, the amount remaining to be restored to the new boat fund stands at about £5,000. Unfortunately, our income this year has fallen behind budget. This is because a number of bookings have failed, i.e. did not take place when we had been confident they would. Also the Kent to Germany cruise was only filled by offering most of the places at cost, and we have not been offered any more work with Rank Hovis, despite the undoubted success of last year's management training activities. While we continue to be hopeful, it is at least possible that the new boat fund will not now be fully restored by the end of this year. The final discharge of all debt may take longer than planned (middle of next year.) We are optimistic about the possibilities for 1997, with an exciting programme in place and many new contacts and ideas coming through our new links with Kent, but we still need more regular gift income from those who believe in what we are doing in order to put the work on a sound footing.
 
 

Lost property

Jane reports a growing pile of assorted lost items. If you think you may have left anything on board, at any time, please contact Jane at the office. She would be very happy to reunite you with your property before she finally disappears from view under the pile!

 Contents

REMAINING PROGRAMME FOR 1996

At the time of writing, with some activities still being planned and one or two others not confirmed, the programme for the rest of the season looks like this:
Sept 20-22
Bexley URC
Sept 27-29
St. Justus Church
Oct 8-10
Midweek promotional weekend. Places available. Only 25pounds
Oct 11-13
Adderbury churches
Oct 13-14
Stowe school CCF
Oct 14-18
Fairbridge
Oct 18-20
October individuals' weekend. Places available
Oct 20-23
Kent Youth. Places available
Oct 24
Promotional day sail
Oct 25-27
Poynton Baptist Church
A busy programme for this late in the year.

 Contents

1997 - AN EXCITING PROGRAMME

As an MSA member you should already have received our brochure for next year, together with the new look folder showing activities open to individuals. Plans for the main summer period take Morning Star further north than ever before. After leaving Chatham we cruise up the East coast, planning to visit such places of pilgrimage as Farne Island and Lindisfarne, before embarking a Tall Ships crew for the race from Aberdeen to Trondheim, in Norway. Trondheim is little more than 200 miles south of the Arctic circle. At this point we shall forgo the rest of the Tall Ships series in favour of a two-week cruise down the Norwegian coast, then across to Shetland and Orkney, en route to the Scottish west coast. A week's cruise in the Western Isles is followed by an unusual cruise through the Caledonian canal, then a long sea passage to finish in Lowestoft. The popular five day DofE residential trip finally brings the boat home to Chatham. We have sent you the details very early so that you can plan ahead, not just for your own sailing with us, but also whether you can pass the details on to friends, relatives and so on with your recommendation to them to come and join us in 1997. Jane has plenty more copies of everything, so the one you give away can easily be replaced.

The most up to date list is available from the office and a pretty good summary has been posted here.

Contents

PEOPLE NEWS

Contents

MORNING STAR TRIP
14-19 APRIL 1996

I've thought a lot about exactly what I wanted to say about the Morning Star trip. I could tell you that the weather was great, and how much we all needed the sunblock cream that surprisingly no one had thought to pack. I could tell you how wonderful the showers are at Ramsgate and Dunkirk harbours - at least for those of us who didn't happen to be under them when they all went cold! I could say how good it would have been to have had someone who had sailed over those same waters to Dunkirk, during one memorable wartime night. I could recommend a very pleasant little restaurant in Dunkirk. I could tell you how interesting it is providing something edible and drinkable for hungry sailors, in conditions where nothing, and least of all you, stays still or level for more than five seconds. I could tell you in explicit detail just how sick you can get on a very rough night crossing through the English Channel, home from France! Also, how alarmingly close very large ships seem to pass in the night and how comforting it is when your cool, calm skipper patiently shows you on a radar screen that you are not actually on a collision course with one of these aforementioned large vessels! I could certainly wax lyrical about how black the sky is at three o'clock in the morning at sea and how breathtakingly bright are the stars and how infinitely small you feel under such a large canopy. To quote one of our more poetic crew members, "Cor! If God can look after that lot, looking after little me must be a doddle!"

 I could tell you that being at the helm of a sailing boat in a Force 6 gale is exciting, exhilarating and, occasionally terrifying. Although not, I'm certain, as, er, thrilling, as hanging onto the bowsprit (that's the long, narrow bit at the front that sticks over nothing but sea) struggling to haul up a sail and getting swamped from head to toe in freezing water.

 No. What I really want to tell you about is this. Life, people and personalities become highly valued and valuable when the question of whether tomorrow actually comes could well depend on how much you and nine other people can cooperate and can work together to sail a relatively small vessel on a huge, deep, choppy sea. Characteristics seem magnified. Humour is multiplied! God's joy, in having made each of us different, but delightful in our differences, in our varying strengths and weaknesses, becomes so evident. We were like a human jigsaw puzzle of pieces that came out of totally different boxes and yet somehow managed to fit together to make a surprisingly great picture! And what struck me most was that this picture wouldn't have been nearly so attractive, or have worked so well, if we'd had all the same strengths and none of the weaknesses.

 We needed each other because we weren't perfect or complete on our own. God allows us to be that way. I suspect that He knows what He's doing!

Anna J Percy
Contents

GEMS FROM THE LOG

27/3/96 We could (if we were very clever) attach the boat to the halliard and hoist it up the mast. Mike Ling

 13/4/96 The Queen can wait until I've finished my coffee. Mike Mac

 Revd. Ian Pusey, Rural Dean of Milton Keynes, on stirring a cup of tea for one of the crew, "I'm good at stirring..."

 28/6/96 Last night (Thursday 27 June) we had a brilliant meal in Cuxhaven. Andy, Jamie and Co. cooked a gastronomique lightship lasagne with garlic bread and potato salad. We had melon boats with fresh cherries for starters, special serviettes (The Lion King) and a Henri Lloyd flag as a tablecloth. Andy decorated the saloon with flags, and we had a bowl of floating candles - totally brilliant. This is a happy boat with a relaxed crew. Shame Germany won the football, though!

 9/7/96 Mike, regarding a German compass, "Why do the Germans have a zero for East?"

 10/7/96 After a fast and furious start (first in class over the line!) the wind has moderated and all is well. Supper was excellent. The jib tops'l is about to follow the main and mizzen tops'ls into the sky. Thank you, Lord, for the freedom of the sea after the hassle of the land.

 11/7/96 0416: After a not so very dark night's sailing we have sighted and are about to overtake a large schooner (Den Store Bjorn), and another large yacht. The crew are in high spirits and the tea is brewing.

 12/7/96 (In a calm) Now that I am getting used to it, the enforced slow pace is good. Scooshing around is fun, but leaves little time for reflection. True peace remains throughout a storm. When we search a little deeper, the water is still. The rock will never be moved. The light will always shine. Contrast makes the truth more clear.

 Heard at captain's briefing, "We will do our almost to help you..."

 Anna: "Can you coil the rope clockwise?" Zina: "I'll have to start at the other end".

 Chris' philosophy, "Everything comes to an end, apart from a sausage which has two ends".

 Contents

A NOVICE'S GUT REACTIONS

Autumn Week - September 1996

Morning Star and sailing, early mornings and wet weather - the two certainly went together (much to my dismay.) I could get used to being woken up in the morning with a cup of tea - but what followed certainly enabled me to tick the "Personal Development" box on the appraisal form.

 Mike the Skipper got more than he bargained for when his crew arrived and chased the boat at different stages during the voyage...Ben deciding he needed the holiday on Friday night (the night the boat left ) and catching up with the boat on Saturday night at Ramsgate!

 Jib sheets, halyards, booms, cleats, winches...all sounded Double Dutch to me...but then we never got to Holland as originally intended. Instead wet knickers and sea sick competitions were to follow (details later!).

 As I soon realised, a rainy day on land is nothing compared to a rainy day at sea. But no matter how high the seas and how wild the winds, I firmly believe there is always time to cleanse, tone and moisturise - even for the boys who I roped into the luxury!

 All needs were catered for. Corned beef hash, chilli-con-carne and Mars Bars saw to the crew's physical needs, whereas the bowsprit satisfied more spiritual needs and proved to be the chosen venue for deep chats with God. Whys, wherefores and maybes were sorted as waves sloshed over not-so-waterproof dungarees and jackets. Personal questions and doubts were answered and shared between Mike's Motley Crew who named the "Morning Star" their "Haven".

 Speaking personally, I took two journeys on the Morning Star. A wet one across the sea, and a soul searching voyage into myself.

Rachel Wallace
(the Novice, with technical support from Ruth Mayo!)
Contents

QUOTES

12/9/96 Steve to Rachel as she was feeling particularly seasick during night-watch, "Rachel, just lie down, you're not sick, it's psychological." Rachel, "No it's not. It's in my mouth!"

 12/9/96 Scott, "I ain't done nothing wrong yet - 'cept for falling off the toilet!"

 15/9/96 You can tell the tide's coming in because the rubbing strip's closer to the water.

 Contents

AWARDS AD NAUSEAM

The Morning Star Award for Commitment Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Janet Shaw - For her heroic efforts over the high seas of Ramsgate. She battled on through high winds and raging waters to ensure a safe and speedy departure for her fellow crew. (She threw up twice whilst clipping on the jib)
 
 

The Morning Star Award of Nonchalance

Ben Richards - For losing his dinner but keeping his dignity - the only person to throw up mid sentence and still keep his grin.
 
 

The Morning Star Freestyle Vomiting Award

Ruth Mayo - For superb posture and flaring nostrils whilst creatively separating the onions from the carrots through her nose.
 
 

The Morning Star Iron Stomach Award

Scott Creamer - For holding the ship together whist fellow crew members fell by the way side.

 Contents

TALL SHIPS

'96At 3am on the night of the crew change the Tall Ships 1 crew arrived on board in Rostock at the start of a truly amazing three weeks. Later the same morning I was at the skippers' briefing for the race, struggling with lack of sleep. We soon woke up when we were promised force 9 on the nose for the start of the race, but to everyone's relief the start was postponed 24 hours. This was frustrating, but absolutely the right decision. We finally left Rostock into a lumpy sea that made two crew sick briefly. The start was fast - well off the wind, we were first across the line with nearly 600 miles ahead of us. Six days later we crossed the finish line in Russian waters, going dead downwind in force seven gusting eight. By the time we arrived in St. Petersburg the next day, Morning Star had completed her longest-ever passage: 725 miles on the log. The strong downwind conditions didn't entirely suit us, so we were happy enough with a result of 19th overall and 8th in class, plus the sheer achievement of having got so far. I calculate we were 1133 nautical miles in a straight line from Chatham.

St. Petersburg was an unbelievable, once in a lifetime experience. The vast scale of the place and the grandeur of the 18th century architecture took our breath away. Meanwhile the ramshackle poverty, dubious sanitation, and so on, was also much in evidence. This was in distinct contrast to the progress made in post reunification Rostock. On the evidence of our eyes, it will be a long time before Russia emerges from the damage of the Communist era. For us, however, nothing was too much trouble. The Russians had gone to a great deal of trouble, and their organisation was far better than we had expected. The captains' dinner, in the throne room of Catherine the Great at Pushkin, was a ridiculously extravagant affair. The very poor fare offered at the crews' "barbecue" showed that little has actually changed since the days of the Tsars in terms of the gulf between the rich and the poor. I, for one, will follow developments in Russia with a fresh interest and in the knowledge that they face great difficulties in the coming years.

 When we left, the Parade of Sail started by going up the Neva river, through two of St. Petersburg's opening bridges. We then circled round the open area, with the Peter and Paul Fortress on one side and the Winter Palace on the other, before heading down river again and out to sea. Ordinary Russians who, until now, had seemed bemused by the whole thing, lined the banks in hundreds of thousands to cheer and wave like no Tall Ships crowd I have ever seen. It made a moving end to a totally mind-blowing experience.

 For the cruise in company, five of our crew joined other ships, including two on the big Russian square-rigger, Mir. This was the last thing these two wanted, but they survived and classed it a worthwhile experience. The other three had a whale of a time. Meanwhile, we were joined by four Russians and one Dane. After one night at sea we entered Finland at the tiny island of Haapasaari, then spent the next few days working through the archipelago to Turku, including visits to Helsinki and Hanko. Mosquitoes were a big problem, totally ruining life in one idyllic anchorage. We also had to motor dead to windward in the narrow channels for quite a lot of the time. However, to traverse the whole of this coast in this way was a special experience, finishing in the crowded and cheerful port of Turku. The bus to the airport came at 2am, and we landed at Heathrow at 5am London time, all quite a shock after three weeks in such remote and wonderful places. The Psalmist said "If I go to the uttermost parts of the Earth, you are there". For us, God was certainly there, in the glory of his creation, in the creativity of men, and in our own coming together as a crew.

Tim
Contents

THOUGHT FOR THE QUARTER

Sailing, it is said, is a most relaxing and edifying pastime. The ability to hold onto the contents of ones stomach, while charging into a force eight, is seen as a great asset to any would-be crew members. However sailing is an art, for that is surely how it should be known, that cannot be achieved merely by observing someone else. Nor can the would-be sailor reach his end goal by picking up a sheet and playing with a couple of bowlines. You must get involved with all aspects of sailing from making the tea, hoisting the jib to being the skipper. But, involvement carries responsibilities. Letting one of the hanks go when hoisting the jib may cause the sail to be ineffective. Each loop in the bowlines must tie into the preceding to hold the whole thing together. If one gives way the sail may just flap in the wind. Involvement also takes coordinated effort. Pull up the throat faster than the peak and the mainsail may stick. Forget to tie the whole thing off and you will end up with a tent.

 As you grow in knowledge and confidence you start to gain an understanding of the overall picture of what it is you are trying to achieve.

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness,
and to goodness, knowledge,
and to knowledge, self-control,
and to self-control, perseverance,
and to perseverance, godliness,
and to godliness, brotherly kindness,
and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will
keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and
has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

2 Peter ch1; vs5..9

Contents

[Home] [Newsletter Index] [Contact Morning Star Trust] 

Edited by Lucy Braithwaite Sept 1996

HTML by Mark Wigmore