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….VayAcht 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).

Andy Tebay has been doing an excellent job as Social Secretary – I originally thought that he couldn’t be here tonight due to a conflicting engagement, but I got my wires a bit crossed, and here he is doing his MC thing!. Andy – it doesn’t matter how you are dressed – it’s always great to see you! Thanks for organising this little get-together tonight.

Obergruppenfuhrer Dave North is now well into the  CFI thing, and is strutting his stuff round the airfield with gusto. Regrettably, because of the above- mentioned flying challenges we have been experiencing, it has resulted in the need for cut backs on the number of practicing instructors.

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 Tracy ……had been ‘at’ him. (come to think of it – that might be close to the truth!!)

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

Airfield Museum…. And now there are rumours afoot of plans for some sort of aircraft museum on the airfield!  Is this true Paul??  Well I guess if there is no flying, we could always earn funds for the club by serving tea and buns to the tourists. Heck – you know, I suddenly had this vision, where I am walking down the rows of exhibits & suddenly ….I see….Pete Redshaw …..and he’s…. stuffed, (!) and mounted on a plinth next to an Oly 2B………..it doesn’t bear thinking about ………..I really must keep taking the pills!

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 - John Martindale has again upped sticks, and decamped to the land of the Aborigine for a few weeks.

 

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 Australia glider pilots have to cope with nightmare conditions of strong thermals and desperately high cloud bases.

 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 CFI bit.  Cheers! .

 

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. Various mutterings about runways, hangars and weather, a reiteration of some of the Chairman's points. However, he managed to remember who had won what.

The Optimum Financial Services Trophy for best gain of height in a two-seat glider went to father and son combination of Rod and Marcus Murfitt. 7500ft.

The Club Ladder for the pilot with the most points claimed went to John Martindale with 5655 points. This illustrates what a poor year we have had. The winner usually has over 10000 points.

The Dodd Trophy for most outstanding progress during the year was won by Shaun Ryan. Re-soloed after a long layoff and now has his own glider.

The Alsford Trophy for the best gain of height went to Rod Murfitt for a gain of 17997ft. Diamond height at last.

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 Lonsdale Trophy for the best cross country from Walney went to John Martindale. Newby Bridge, Keswick in an LS300.There were a few mutterings about whose glider was it.

The Duddon Trophy for outstanding services to the club went to John Burdett. This apparently will be renamed The General Dogs Body Trophy as John was always around when something needed doing.

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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