This newsletter is to give you news about the Show, a general update on what is going on generally and to encourage any contributions for the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Show - September 3rd and 4th
Thanks to help from the Tuesday training group in laying out the posts ready for Doug West to thump in with his tractor, and then a splendid effort from other members and outside helpers, we had a very good start in preparing the field in the few days before the Show weekend so there were no last-minute crises. All was ready in good time on the Friday.
Saturday was a dull day to start with but it soon burned off and we then enjoyed some superb flying and a record public attendance. There was a very good crowd also on the Sunday, which apparently turned out to be the hottest September day on record. Overall, our weekend gate takings were up by well over 10% on last year. It is too early to finalise a financial summary but we should end up again with a very healthy surplus. The commentator, Colin Hammond, kindly donated some raffle prizes which were sold in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice, raising just over £300.
The traders all seemed well pleased with their business over the two days.Our thanks are due to the few ladies who helped Hilda Davies in the hospitality area. That went well too, most of our supplies having gone by mid afternoon on Sunday. After the Show we had enough support to get the site fully cleared, and our large signboards stowed away, by lunchtime on Monday so the field was handed back, with the electric fence up, ready for the Monday afternoon flying session.
I was relieved that this, the first Show I had organised, went off so well, due in no small part to the planning and groundwork put in by Colin Clark and others in the past. What I have particularly liked is the feedback from many of our neighbours. I have visited many of them, some had complimentary tickets, and some were taken along the flight line and they seemed very positive. So, it is all over for this year; except that the planning starts for next year's, 2nd and 3rd September 2006, pretty well straight away.
Field
The electric fence is back up as the sheep are due back any time soon. Be careful in case any post holes are left.
The strip drew a lot of praise from the flyers over the show weekend so the committee intend to keep it that way.
Training
Tuesday evenings are still very popular and will continue for as long as the shorter evenings allow as we approach the hours change. Congratulations to Nigel King who has just passed his BMFA "A" fixed wing.
Membership
As some of you will know, Roy Crellin sadly died suddenly last month. We have sent the Club's condolences to his family.
On a very much lighter note we welcome Antony Redding's baby daughter, Lily Grace, who weighed in at some 8lb. Congratulations to Elaine and Antony. I was glad to see that they brought the baby to the show. I wonder if Antony bought her a kit! We welcome two new members, Jeff Hawkins from Tewkesbury and Alan Alderwick from Malvern Link.
Annual General Meeting
A reminder that the AGM is to be held on 17th November at the Royal Oak starting at 8.00pm. There will be a formal notice of the meeting issued in due course but please make a note on your diary now. It is important that members attend General Meetings. If you have any issues affecting the Club's constitution please remember that they must be lodged with the Secretary at least 30 days before the AGM. If you wish to stand for committee or if you wish to nominate another member for committee (with their agreement of course!) please let me know in good time. As you probably know, Ken Boyce will be standing down as Vice-President of the Club at the forthcoming AGM. I am pleased to say that Mr. Tim Weston, a Director of Weston's Cider Co., our very near neighbour, has agreed to become our Vice-President when Ken stands down.
That is it for now. Best regards, Bernard Morris