Hi everyone, this is the regular Thursday posting to let you know what is coming up in the near future and give you highlights of the last week.
Last week:
BGA conference
There were several key messages coming out of the above. To take a couple of highlights the inspectors emphasised the care that we must take with the K21 wing roots when rigging and de rigging. The fibreglass is a special weave so if it gets damaged in any way, eg scratched it will mean a replacement wing! I was very encouraged that the BGA have set up a Business Rates team to help clubs like us faced with astronomical rises. The team gave a presentation and Martin and I breathed a sigh of relief that such quality support is available.
MT shed electrics
We have been waiting for the electrics to be signed off so we can move forward and get the building completion certificate. Matthew Cook has been voluntarily working on this, during his busiest work period as well and has now delivered the certificate. We all owe a huge debt to Matthew for his efforts on this.
Club Electrics
Steve Rudge has been helping us with the work required to enable insurance compliance. His input and knowledge has been invaluable.
Vitara
The Vitara has new livery and a flashing light on the top! The next step is to finish the gas installation which Julian has ready and install a ground radio. Everything is ready, we just need a bit of warmer weather.
Club Treasurer
We have had a couple of generous offers from members who are willing to help with the figures but not be Treasurer. Ideally the club needs a Treasurer, it is nowhere near as onerous as in the old days. The requirements are:- be able to read the outputs from Sage that Martin produces, be able to operate a web browser so you can authorise payments on line, attend as many committee meetings as you can. Each monthly meeting only takes 1.5 hours and gives you the opportunity to help steer your club. This committee is extremely effective yet the meetings are not onerous at all. You definitely don’t need to be an accountant!! Please give it some thought and let me know.
Weekend outlook:
Women in gliding will be joining us. Your team will be Mike Rogers, Peter Orchard, Simon Adlard, Nigel Lassetter, Ed Jones and Liz Adlard.
Looks like light winds and a high pressure, so winter woollies and a crisp day.
Forthcoming events:
Calendars
The club calendars are ready so please order now from the office. They make a stunning present and of course get people interested in gliding and more specifically our club.
Christmas dinner
The list for this is now closed and as usual it will be a fabulous event. We have had a very generous offer from Dawn Hartland to produce some Yule Rings to brighten your front door this Christmas with the profits going to the club. This is a very generous offer and I would hope that we will all support her, I have already placed my order. On the 10th December for the Christmas celebrations Dawn will bring a stock of various colours but if you have a specific preference in colours please drop her an e mail at :-dogdawn@hotmail.co.uk with your request.
We will also have our fund raising so all contributions of Christmas Raffle prizes are appreciated. Please help and contribute as these go to delivering items like the wonderful firework display we had this year and the marvellous decorations that Denise kindly organises on our behalf. Thanks Den for all your hard work, if any members would like to help support with the social side please let me know.
New Year’s Eve
This is usually a chance to get together at the club on New Years Eve to celebrate the incoming year with good friends. Do let the kitchen know if you are coming, as there is usually a mass order for takeaway food on that night.
Winter lectures
We now have 4 booked during February and March. We have Pete Harvey the BGA chair, Hugh Browning the driving force on the safety initiatives, Mike Groves of Skylaunch and the National Trust. We have also had an offer of another interesting talk from a member. Please do make an effort to attend, it’s a great night and the trick is to fly in the day, have the talk then a really good supper.
14 Jan Pete Harvey
11 Feb National trust
4 March Hugh Browning
11 March Mike Groves
Ready for cross country?
Aim higher course
18 -19 March. Please put this date in your diary, and book in with the office now. We are so privileged to have Kevin Atkinson to do this course for us. He will cover:
How the sky works
How to work the sky
Going further and faster
Self-teaching skill drills and self-tasking
And will be the best preparation you could think of before the cross country season starts in earnest.
Thinking of summer
Mac is organising the “longest day, open day” recruitment drive on the 24th of June. In addition we want to increase the activity and the interest for members. Years ago we used to run a “dawn to dusk” day and we are going to combine the two. It is fantastic fun, we run in shifts and do “shedloads” of launches (or words to that effect). Please drop me an email at the address below if you would like to help out for a shift, everyone is welcome and I guarantee you will have a great day.