SLOPING OFF...

...the Newsletter of Christchurch and District Model Flying Club for June 2021

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JON’S JOTTINGS

At last we seem to be able to fly at all sites (less the Picnic Site) if only the weather would co-operate. With a bit of luck virtually everyone who wants it will have had at least one Covid vaccination. The membership is around 100 which I think is reasonably healthy. We have had a steady trickle of new members who are all very welcome.

We have two major events coming up that the committee is working on. Firstly the monthly meetings in Bransgore Village Hall will start again with the first one on Wednesday 7th July. Mike Roach will be giving more details about this meeting and the programme for the following meetings.

The second event is the Members Open Day and BBQ and with guests of the BIMBO. This will be on Saturday 24th July at Strawberry Field. The owner has offered us free entrance and the Treasurer, Allan Butterworth, has agreed to provide free food. Anyone wanting to fly should bring their models.  All are welcome.

I have been fascinated by the Friday evening competition at Stanpit. It’s well worth a visit.

In September we will have the Construction and Finish Competition. Mike has alread sent out the details, but briefly we will meet at Strawberry Field on Saturday 4 September and members wil be able to judge all the models present. There will also be a flying option if the weather is good enough.

The licence for the Picnic Site is proceeding but at a bit of a crawl. The Army are saying it will all be completed in a week or so but experience with these sorts of formations makes me a bit sceptical about rapid progress.

I have been kept amused by the interchanges on the Google group. Do please keep up the information and banter that goes on.

Keep safe and enjoy the flying.

Jon Goddard

CHRISTCHURCH AND DISTRICT MODEL FLYING CLUB

MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 27 MAY 2021

 

Present: Jon Goddard (Chair), Martin Burr (Vice Chair), Brian Brockway (Membership Sec), Alan Butterworth (Treasurer), Mike Roach (Secretary), Alex Bush (member), Nick King (member)

Apologies: David Bintcliffe (member)

  • Friday Evening Stanpit Competition. Brian B said that successful meetings had been held on 7th and 14th May and he was maintaining the results. It was agreed that this item did not need to be on the agenda in future.
  • Open Day/BIMBO meeting Sat 24 July.  It was decided to stick with the formula that had been successful in previous years, with BIMBO and members flying in the morning and an informal competition in the afternoon, which Alan B agreed to organise. Alex B and Nick K discussed the BBQ arrangements and it was agreed that the same quantity of rolls, burgers, sausages etc would be provided as last time. A budget of £100 was agreed.
  • The “Picnic Site” slope soaring location. The Chairman had made contact with the Army and things looked promising. There was discussion about the layout of the site and where best to have car parking. Other interested fliers from Phoenix and locally to the site would be told that membership of CDMFC was necessary to fly there. This could be full or country membership. Occasional guests from outside the area would be permitted on the same basis as Longham, ie not as a subterfuge to avoid payment. The fee was confirmed as £180 annually and we would provide the car park gate padlock. Confirmation of these arrangement was expected soon.
  • Instructors and Examiners. It was re-confirmed that ad hoc teaching could continue but that the lack of an active examiner was a critical issue. The Chairman had identified a small number of experienced fliers who would make ideal instructors, and would be contacting them shortly. It was also agree that slope flying in moderate conditions was perhaps the ideal way to learn.
  • Bransgore Village Hall Meetings and Monthly Programme.  Mike R confirmed the arrangements for 7 July and said that the hall admin agreed that there was no need for additional cleaning and to delay writing the risk assessment until nearer the time. The cost was expected to be in the region of £37 a night.
  • Monthly Programme. Mike R went through the published programme up to March 2022 and Alan B agreed to publish rules for the photo comp in Mar 22.
  • Indoor Flying at Durleston Court. The Chairman said that Trevor H, Jon Couldridge, Martin Burr and he were willing to form a roster for indoor flying. He would contact Durlston Court in due course.
  • AOB.
    • Longham Rescue Boat. Unfortunately the Chair’s dinghy was too difficult for Mike R to bring to seaworthy condition. The Chairman said he might still have a go at it.  Mike R would continue to look for a suitable boat.
    • C&F Comp September. Mike R had circulated the details and would follow up.
    • New Members welcome. The meeting was happy that we had covered all bases with the current arrangements.
    • Sloping Off. The June issue was online for the committee to see. The Chairman would write his piece for it, and had a flying article in mind for the next issue in September.
    • Next Meeting. Wed 30 June in the garden of 1 Spinney Way, New Milton, Hants BH25 5DN.
  • Post-Meeting notes
  • Mike R would update the Club Website and other Social media re SF being used for car boot sales on BH Monday 31 May and the Photo Comp.
  • Mike Roach, Secretary

28 May 2021