Sloping Off - September 2006
Chairman's Chatter
by Terry Antell
Hi to all our members. Autumn looms! Oh no, colder days and dark evenings, Yuk.
This summer has been sensational for sun, but the wind has been mainly in a northerly direction, not a lot of good for slope soaring from Barton Front, but Win Green? Whoopee!
The Friday evening thermal soaring contest has been better attended this year, perhaps the weather has encouraged more of you to have a go? Also, we have seen quite a number of electric models gracing the sky during the same evenings at Stanpit. Unfortunately, only one person has consistently taken part in the Friday evening electric thermal contest, that person being me!!
Next May will see a better and much fairer electric thermal competition. Your committee has been looking into the idea of having a one model contest. NO brushless motors, NO Lipo batteries, thus the costs will be within most member’s means.
I have been looking at kits, plus having a kit cut from a plan making it ready to build. This too came out on the expensive side AND it would still have to be built. We have to consider that many of us don’t have the space to build, or the ability, and time can be limited.
I have found a 100” (2540mm) span electric assist glider that is completely built. It’s called "The BlueBird”. I have written a short article about the model . How to get a “BlueBird”. Contact a committee member and you’ll be added to the purchase list. One thing though, we do need a £20 deposit. The club has to buy the models to get the £70 price.
Easy, I mean VERY easy rules. They will be published in the Christmas edition of ‘Sloping Off.’
We, the members, last met at Stanpit in May 2005. Last September we changed the meeting location AND the evening. All this was based on the responses from the questionnaire that was prepared by Terry Sullivan. We ended up at the Wheatsheaf, New Milton on the first Wednesday of EVERY month.
On the last Friday of July I received a call telling me that the Wheatsheaf was being altered inside, plus they were/are re-introducing food. In a moment, the room was gone!!! I made a frantic call to Martin Burr, our Hon Treasurer, whom I knew had contacts with The Walkford, Walkford Road, Walkford. Being only short notice meant we could only book a room there for the following Tuesday evening. Terry Sullivan emailed all the members with an email address. I rang all the model shops and many members, too.
In the mean time I’ve been onto Christchurch Sports Council, of which our club is a member, to look for an alternative meeting place. Remember, we have to accommodate disabled persons!!
I was contacted, via email, by East Dorset RFC offering us a meeting facility. An email was instantly sent to their Hon Sec who had contacted me. NOTHING, no reply. I emailed the Chairman, again, no reply Both on three occasions, too!
During the 1st week of August, Terry Sullivan, David Enticott, Tony Cousins and myself, Terry Antell, visited East Christchurch Sports and Social Club (was the old BAE club). This was in response from a phone call I received from one of their committee members. No disabled access, plus we would all have to become members at £12 per year. We discounted this club!!
A couple of local authority halls were suggested by the Christchurch Sports Council. Little or no parking or no disabled access.
After the Stanpit thermal competition evening on Friday 18th August, Martin Burr, David Enticott and myself went to meet the manager at The Walkford. A lovely chap AND very helpful.
We now have the skittles room at the rear of the pub BOOKED for the 1st Wednesday of EVERY MONTH. We discussed improving the hall lighting, which was resolved to our satisfaction. The heating will be on during the winter months.
Again, we have to ask those attending to purchase a drink from the bar, any type of drink will do. This room has FULL disabled access, using a concrete ramp. The pub has full time catering and can provide anything from a bowl of chips to a full meal. It also has a complete non smoking side to the lounge bar.
Andrew Tubb has spent many a day researching an alternative indoor flying site for the winter months. Oakmead advised us that a group had booked the main hall until 9pm. Andrew has found us an alternative AND at a cheaper rate. Bournemouth University is the location, the last Friday each month, starting on the 29th September until the end of March 2007. The actual meeting dates are Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan 07, Feb and March. No meeting in December as the University will be closed. Time? 8pm till 10pm. Well done Andrew, and thanks.
Finally, may I thank all the committee and sub-committee for their efforts during this busy summer.
Our November meeting will be the Club Auction. The December meeting will be the Christmas Quiz with usual celebrations.
