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:
Club logbooks
We have the back copies of all the logbooks in the hangar, they have been moved from place to place over the years but are slowly deteriorating. If you can either find a dry home for them, or can scan them then please let me know and help us preserve our heritage.
MT shed
The gas and radiator installation has taken place this week, all we need is the heater finishing in the MT part and we will be nice and cosy for the winter.
Webcam issues
We have issues with the webcam information, the computer that does the twiddly bits has been closing down and restarting itself on a daily basis. Our IT guru Alasdair Lewis is on the case so please bear with us.
Women in gliding
We welcomed a group from women in gliding last weekend – unfortunately it was only circuits but fortunately, because they are such a wonderful bunch, they made the most of it and had a great time. Still as they used to say at Sutton Bank, “a circuit a day keeps the Doktor away” (a free slice of cake to the first one who recognises the meaning of the quote).
Ground radios
As I have already reported Peter Orchard has kindly volunteered to replace the ground radios. These are essential to our operation and they have all arrived and Peter is now fitting them to the vehicles and winches.
Club Treasurer and accounts
We met with the accountants and thanks to the efforts of Tony Gould our previous treasurer we have a set of final accounts months earlier than usual. They will be published along with the AGM calling notice early in the new year. I am delighted to say that following my appeal last week Simon Towers has stepped up to the plate and is our new treasurer.
Weekend outlook:
A reminder to all of our instructors that the next meeting is at 17:00 on Saturday. Your team this weekend is : Chris Alldis, Clive Crocker, Denise Hughes, David Brown, Tony Dietrich and Peter Orchard. It looks like the high pressure may well still be in charge.
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.