2004 LGC Dinner
Chairman’s Speech?
It’s
fantastic to see so many of you here tonight – another good turn out! There are
a few faces that I only get to see once a year (or less)……..but there
again…there are others ………(I see all the time!!) I must say it doesn’t seem like that long since I last stood here delivered this speech.
At that
time we were recovering from interruptions to our agenda caused by the
construction of the airfield fence, and perhaps optimistically, we were looking
forward to getting the club back on an even keel. Unfortunately, these plans were
somewhat scuppered by BAe’s
airfield improvement programme, and we ended up with an effective ban on flying
for approximately 4 months! And guess what – one of the runways is still barriered
off and unusable, nearly one year later. But it looks good though. Without wishing to sound too
pessimistic, the knock-on effect of these interruptions has had an adverse
effect on club morale, and membership numbers are now the lowest they have been
for years. So low in fact, that we barely had sufficient members to remain
within the auspices of the BGA. But lets stop & look at the up side of things…… we are back flying
again, we have a good fleet, and our remaining membership is both positive and
enthusiastic.
The fleet…Slowly but surely the old IS28 is
having a make-over. The refurbishment
& re-painting programme is moving apace, and I am looking forward to seeing
her fully rigged in her new sparkling white livery. We just need a few more
willing volunteers to complete the job, and she will be ready for the start of
next years flying season. And we now have 4 more private gliders based at Walney!
Jan
Eldem went off with Northy & ended up coming back with a very tidy ASW19,
(which is pretty much like Peter Lewis’ Pegassus). Nice
one Jan!
Sean Ryan has a very sexy little K6 CR, and flying that took me back to just a few years ago, to when the club had one just like it. I think Sean has been taking lessons from Pete Redshaw in the avionics department, as he has done a fine job of refurbishing his instrument panel. But I have to say though, it has the oddest sounding vario I have ever heard though. …quick impression from Sean…
John Martindale has taken delivery of a stunning new ASW 28, but I won’t say too much about that because (horror of horrors) it has an engine! So it doesn’t count.– and last,
but my no means least, Paul Rose has
bought a Skylark, which is very similar to one that Jan Eldem refurbished and very nearly flew, not so long back. (I
reckon Jan only sold his, because he
thought Paul was going to strip it for spares)
This
started me thinking of the many
different ways of naming gliders – in England we have ‘Skylark’ & ‘Vega’ –
in France they have names like ‘Pegase’ & even ‘Bijave’. But what do the Germans come up with……..
‘Ahh….Essss….Vay…Acht und
Swanzig’ !!!
Pretty sassy that….It certainly trips off the tongue!
Committee Changes. Again this year we
have experienced one or two changes to the committee:-
Neil
Braithwaite has resigned as Club Secretary, due to conflicting time pressures what
with his working away. Many thanks Neil for all your past efforts in this
regard – you did a great job, and it was much appreciated.
Phil Storer
has kindly taken up the reigns as scribe & paper shuffler.
Also, sadly,
Alan Meadows has felt it necessary to offer his resignation as Tug Master,
following the tragic loss of his
daughter and son-in law, in an horrific road accident
a few weeks ago. Our thoughts go out to Alan & his family at this terrible
time.
John
Burdett [as his deputy] will continue as tugmaster
for the foreseeable future.
The
stalwart Peter Lewis continues in his position as Club Bean Counter, and is
still walking the streets of Barrow – in the faint hope of finding someone else
to relieve him of the task. I can’t really say previous “applicants need not
apply”, because I don’t think he has been exactly deluged
with offers!
Welcome to Jan
Eldem who is a new committee member – (big hint regarding the above position).
Obergruppenfuhrer
Both Graham
Welch, and Neil Braithwaite, have stood down from
their instructing activities, after a lot of great years as club instructors. (some would say a considerable
number of years in Neils’ case).
This was fundamentally
an instructing hours issue, and I
would like now to scotch any more rumours that a) it was because Neil couldn’t get his zimmer frame in the back seat of the glider, or b) that
Graham didn’t have the strength to hold his joystick steady, after his wife of
one year
Seriously
though, – many thanks to both of you for all your instructing efforts, and
let’s hope the situation is only a temporary one.
The fence….
Well, I thought the fence must be worth a mention. OK - We are all now getting
used to ‘Stalag Luft 19’ (
which we used to affectionately call ‘the airfield’), and dare I say it, we have
even enjoyed some benefit from the
enhanced security arrangements, in that bits of glider trailers (jockey wheels,
lights etc) are no longer being secreted away by local miscreants. But now even
the division fence inside the main hangar seems to have taken on a life of its
own, it appears to be moving slowly and inexorably towards our hangar doors. We are being squeezed, (to say the least),
& pretty soon we will have so little space we will have to de-rig the bus! All
very peculiar……..mmmm
Club Trips ….. Well, even though the flying has been compromised
at home, there have been one or two ‘away’ fixtures, with outings to
Pocklington, Hus Bos, & Portmoak etc. but I think the great British weather
(or global warming depending who you ask) put paid to any significant feats of
gliding endeavour. Lets hope our emissary down under
is having better luck. Yes -
Just before
he went, I received the following email, which I shall share with you…..
Dear Mr Chairman,
I am writing to express my regret at
being absent from the annual celebrations.
Unfortunately I am
having to endure summer temperatures, cold beer, and scarcely tolerable
gliding conditions.
As you are aware, in
They are not conditions which one of my
sensitive nature (nor indeed your good self) can view with anything other
than absolute horror.
However I feel I am doing it for
the honour of the Lakes Gliding Club, which goes some way to embolden me to
take on this daunting task.
Could you please pass on my best
wishes to your good lady, the lovely but painfully shy and retiring Jean. --- Most of the people present will scarcely have
noticed her as she usually sits quietly in the corner doing her crochet,
oblivious to the raucous celebrations around her. I do hope that you will be
able to involve her in the evening’s entertainment.
Just thinking of Jean reminds me of
another retiring and quiet person who may be there. I spoke to Liz Redshaw
recently, and she told me how worried she was that she would get Peter dressed
and up on his Zimmer frame, and at the last minute he would have a panic attack
about going out and meeting people.
I must say that I had been a
member of the club for 16 years before he felt confident enough to approach me.
I can imagine now that if there are any members present of less than
10 years standing, they will be asking who Peter Redshaw is.
Can you just point them to the grey
haired gentleman, sitting quietly in the shadows with a glass of warm milk.
Of course you will need to be careful
not to embarrass him. Perhaps it would be as well to warn them not to approach
him and offer to get him a drink. He is noted of course as a life long ‘Tea-Totaller’, and member of the Labour Party.
The remaining members and guests will
I am sure have a wonderful evening.
Best Wishes John
Many thanks
for that John, and we hope you are having a fantastic time in Oz. Last year I
concluded with the suggestion that: ‘we
are all privileged to fly from what is still a stunningly beautiful &
dramatic location’. No more so than
today which was a
fabulous flying day.
But the theme
this year must be to try and sell this
concept to local people. We
desperately need more members, and our best opportunity is when we directly interface
with the public through air experience flights. It allows them to see we are
all …..er……normal people
(??), ……..well, at least some of the time anyway! We should
all try and pass on our enthusiasm for the sport, not just to them, but to their
friends, and any relations they may bring along to watch. Something for
you to think about - There is a potential recruit in every group, and we really
need those people now to secure the long term viability of our Club.
OK – hold
that thought - I will ramble on no longer – many thanks for your time, and many
thanks of course to the hotel staff for providing such a pleasant evening.
I will now hand you over to ‘Our man Northy’
to do his
The CFI’s
annual award of our numerous trophies
was again gracefully assisted by Jean, our Chairman’s better half and senior
partner. Jean was wearing an Ostrich this year. This is how I remember the key
parts of Northy’s speech.
The Sir Leonard Redshaw Trophy for the best flight by a non Silver pilot was awarded to Phil Storer. No single flight but shear perseverance.
The Wooden Spoon for the most meritorious clanger. Various references were again made to member’s indiscretions. Roger Copley who hid the spoon last year to avoid embarrassment, Peter Craven who fortunately ONLY drove back from Rufforth with the trailer brakes locked on and Peter Lewis who managed to fly a brand new glider and cock up the landing. Well in fairness the landing was alright, it was the engine that was stuck out and not rotating. Someone also mentioned that it was his first flight on type and not even his glider. Congratulations Peter Lewis it's yours.
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