The 3 Piers Race, 5-6 July 2003

The famous East Coast 3 Piers Race, a long distance race which takes place off the Essex coast each year.

Marconi SC, Essex

For further details contact Chris Davis on 01245 401080.

Marconi is situated on the Blackwater near Stone and is usually the venue for our first open of the season. They have about 12 members with Dart 15s local hotshot and fleet captain, Jenny Ball. The grounds are good for camping and the estuary provides excellent sailing with some tricky tides. They do some nice long distance races (including the 3 Piers Race) but the Dart 15 favourite is a figure of eight course around Northey and Osea islands, which takes about an hour.

Location
Marconi Sailing club is situated on the River Blackwater near the village of Steeple, Essex - approximately 30 minutes drive east of Chelmsford. Directions are available from our website or by inputting "Stansgate Road" into Streetmap.co.uk or equivalent - or see attached map. Once you have passed through the main village of Steeple, take first the turning on your left, Stansgate Road - (just past farm buildings and will be signposted for Marconi SC). Follow Stansgate Road all the way to the end until you reach a large metal gate which is the entrance to the club. The gate is normally locked but will be open from 6pm to 8pm on Friday evening or from 9am on the Saturday morning. Once you have entered the club site - please turn right into the Cat Park where you may park / set up your boat / camp etc.

Please note that Stansgate Road is single track only with passing places so please drive slowly and carefully and respect the other residents/users of the road.

Facilities
The Club site is a green field of some 5 acres, with ample boat storage space, parking and a wide launching ramp. The Club house is two storey and boasts hot showers, two bars, professionally catered galley, as well as all the usual amenities. The Club enjoys on site camping for 28 days a year, two weeks of which is taken in early August when we also run a Cadet week that is always well supported.

Sailing Waters
The club sails in the wide tidal estuary of the River Blackwater, with launching and sailing possible at any state of the tide. The estuary is ideal for exploring the islands of Osea and Northsey and trips can be made to Bradwell and Maldon. Beyond Bradwell the North Sea beckons our more intrepid sailors.

If you are visiting the club, the following accomodation information may be of help:

Bed & Breakfast

Crouch Valley Motel Burnham Rd Latchingdon Essex CM36EX Tel: 01621 740770
New Moor Farm B & B Tillingham Rd Southminster Essex CM07DS Tel: 01621 772840
The Hawthorns 41a South St, Tillingham Essex CM07TJ Tel: 01621 740387
B & B Burnt Mill Cottage21, Mill Rd Burnham-On-Crouch Essex CM08PZ Tel: 01621 783712
Anchor Hotel The Quay Burnham-On-Crouch Essex CM08AT Tel: 01621 782117
Ye Olde White Harte Hotel The Quay Burnham-On-Crouch Essex CM08AS Tel: 01621 782106
The Ship Inn 52, High St Burnham-On-Crouch Essex CM08AA Tel: 01621 785057
Railway Hotel 12, Station Rd Burnham-On-Crouch Essex CM08BQ Tel: 01621 786868

Camping

The Star Inn, The Street, Steeple, Essex, 01621 772646