2005 LGC Annual Dinner
Chairman’s address to the assembled masses.
(It will save the webmaster a lot of time if you read this as if you had personally made the speech, gets round the Chairman said problem)
Ladies, gentlemen - etc. Once again it’s fantastic to see so many of you here tonight – this will be the 4th time I have had to throw myself at your mercy. But it's heart-warming to look around the room and see so many faces glowing with the spirit of good cheer (……red wine, gin etc).
It's always good to have a social get together, but today it is worthy of note that this year it is the Lakes Gliding Clubs 75th Anniversary! Wow - 1930. I know it's difficult to believe, but that even pre-dated Pete Lewis' flying career! I was looking at some very old photos the other day, of a few intrepid aviators hurling themselves off the side of Ireleth Hill in some pretty bizarre contraptions, dragged along by what looked like a model T Ford. One in particular - a primary - you wouldn't want to use as a tent in this day and age let alone trust your life to the thing! The pioneering spirit had indeed begun in earnest in the South Lakes, and has flourished ever since.
Back to the present day though, this time last year we still had a few flying restrictions caused by the continuing airfield improvement programme. Now I'm happy to report that things have returned pretty much to normal. (Especially the weather which unfortunately which has not been very kind of late).
Although the flying has picked up, the year (inevitably) has not been without its little challenges however…....
Take our refuelling bowser for instance ..
This 4 ton (?) leviathan stood where it had been deposited 5 years previously, and to be frank I don't think anyone thought that it would ever move again. Unfortunately it posed a significant environmental risk where it lay, and we were given the challenge of not only moving it - but to create a fuel proof containment in which it must stand. But at the end of the day, everyone at the Lakes Gliding Club pulled together to save the day - and a sturdy reinforced concrete plinth and bund was duly constructed, - the old vehicle was pulled, pushed, shoved, pleaded with & generally coaxed into its new home. It really was a great achievement for the club, and I would like to thank all the members who contributed their time, expertise and energy to this task. We have since been congratulated by BAE for the quality of the finished result, and the professionalism with which it was accomplished.
Another highpoint in the year, was the Walney Air Show…….
Paul Rose did an incredible job in organising this event, and in the end he was justly rewarded by the public turnout on the day - they stopped counting at 35000 people? Again, the Lakes Gliding Club more than rose to the challenge of supporting the occasion and I'm sure Paul would agree that our contribution truly was a credit to our club. Again - many thanks to those members who organised the marquees, the static display boards, the gliding videos, not to mention the BGA glider simulator. I think John Martindale formed a bit of an emotional bond with that flight simulator - after sitting as P1 for his 50th air experience flight of the day with an over excited ice-cream besmirched spotty yoof! He ended up looking a little shell shocked!! But hopefully the Airshow has stimulated a lot of local interest in the airfield, and in the Lakes Gliding Club. It's a shame that we will have to wait 2 years until the next one. Paul - if your museum project is half as successful as the air-show, it will be something to be reckoned with, and if you need our support - you have it.
The challenge ahead for us though, is to re-build our membership now we are back flying more regularly. I am happy to say that we have several new members - some of whom are here tonight. Looking round the room we have Alan & Val Sayers Neil & Norica Moffatt, & Paul & Rebecca Frain & last but by no means least we have that intrepid Rufty Tufty mountain climbing Currock winch wench Katie Frost - welcome to you all. On the other end of the scale Pete Redshaw has asked me to mention that his (younger!) sister Jill Gillette is enjoying her 45th visit to one of these august gatherings. Is this true Jill? It seems difficult to believe - Many Congratulations to you!
CEC……On a sadder note, a long standing member - Cec Batty - passed away this year at the ripe old age of nearly 92. He was a great pilot, & an enthusiastic committee member, [& latterly a club director]. He was a true gentleman, & something of a charmer. This wasn't too surprising considering that his grandson is that smooth talking man about town …..Dave (chiefy) North. CEC was a great character - he will be sadly missed.
The fleet…….
There have not been any major issues with the fleet in the last year - The IS28 make-over is very nearly complete - all the bits are now painted, and we just need to find them all to finally complete the transition from 'ugly duckling' into 'swan'. Thanks especially to Elmer, Sean Ryan & Jan Eldem for all the work they have put in on her. And we now have another 2 private gliders based at Walney. Neil Moffatt with his Lak & Peter Whitehead with his (tango orange) IS29!
Club Trips …..
There have been a few outings again this year, to Pocklington, Hus Bos, & Portmoak etc. but generally the great British weather again put paid to any major gliding achievements. I think the 300km flown in the Capstan from Poitier by Messrs North & Redshaw has to deserve a mention. Was it just over 6 hours?? A hell of an achievement by anybodies standards
OK - I'd now like to thank the committee, for all the work they have put in during the year. Especially mention to Peter Lewis, who still has the thankless task of being our club 'Chancellor of the Exchequer', and also has a spare time job knocking all our tug pilots into shape. Andy Tebay is still doing an excellent job as Social Secretary – & many thanks Andy for your work in organising this little get-together tonight. Dave North is now into his 3rd year as CFI - only another 10 or so to go Dave before you match Pete Lewis's illustrious reign?? Pete Redshaw is still beavering away in the background - bashing his hard drive (!!) ……..I mean of course…. in order to tweak and improve our club website. If there are those out there who haven't visited the site, be sure and do so, because it really is exceptionally good - quite a mine of information. Congratulations Pete. Don't forget, if you think of something (relevant and tasteful) to put on the site, then Pete as creator & custodian of the site ….is your man.
Every year I end up emphasising the need for more members, to ensure the continuity not only of our club, but also for the sport of gliding. It was gratifying to note that one of our recent newest members - Peter Whitehead - remarked in an email of thanks to me following his first visit:-
"….I really did enjoy that day. The members were all very friendly and welcoming, and that made a big impression. I felt quite at home".
Well ……I joined the club 14 years ago because back then the Lakes represented the 'friendly face of gliding' - so long may that tradition continue. Anyway Ladies & Gentlemen - many thanks for your time listening to me droning on, 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 with the trophies. Cheers!
The CFI’s annual award of our numerous trophies was once more gracefully assisted by Jean, our Chairman’s better half and senior, but younger partner. Dave was looking resplendent in a suit and tie. I believe he was wearing socks as well. These are the only parts of Northy’s speech that I can remember with the aid of a subsequent email. I could remember getting two trophies but gave them away as emotion overcame common sense.
The Duddon Trophy for outstanding services to the club went to Shaun Ryan for his work on the IS28 and the new bus.
The Dodd Trophy for most outstanding progress during the year was not awarded this year reflecting some of the setbacks of the Club
The Lonsdale Trophy for the best cross country from Walney went to John Martindale for a flight from Walney in his ASW28, Haverigg, Penrith, Chipping, Silverdale and back. (Allegedly engine on from Silverdale)
The Leighton Hall Trophy for the member making the most outstanding flight of the year from anywhere in the world. This went to Dave North & Peter Redshaw for a 311km triangle flight in France in the Capstan at an average speed of over 50kph.
The Alsford Trophy for the best gain of height went to Neil Braithwaite for a gain of 13400ft.
The Sir Leonard Redshaw Trophy for the best flight by a non Silver pilot was awarded to Neil Moffatt. Neil got his Silver distance when he landed at Leyburn in Yorkshire. 97km.
The Club Ladder for the pilot with the most points claimed went to Neil Moffatt with 6625 points. Another excellent example of how the Club Ladder can be won by a new member in their first year of flying with the club.
The Elegant Windows Trophy for the best flight in a two seater went jointly to Andy Tebay and Peter Redshaw for a 224km triangle flight in the Capstan in France.
The Optimum Financial Services Trophy for best gain of height in a two-seat glider. This was won by Alan Meadows and John Burdett for a gain of 4500ft.
The Wooden Spoon for the most meritorious clanger. This year was a walk over for our Chairman. No contest as some would say. Well done Roger, carry on at this rate and you will be in the lead for the most regular winner. I will try not to be explicit, but if you can imagine an absolutely immaculate new glider rigged at the launch point and our Chairman sniffing round looking for an over generous person to let him have a flight you are nearly there. Anyway, having been offered a flight the intrepid potential aviator decided to check out all the knobs, whistles and levers first. Can I suggest that the lever was possibly faulty in Roger’s mitigation? The one with the little black handle caused the problem. A gentle nudge was all it took and bingo, the wheel disappeared up into the fuselage accompanied by a big bang as the glider hit the deck. Nice one Rog.
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