BOOKER GLIDING CLUB
INFORMATION SHEET
JANUARY 2006
From the Committee
I have the task of writing this newsletter during
Jack's absence.
FINANCIAL SITUATION
Thanks to the seventy or so members who have paid their subscriptions in
advance, and the forty or so who have paid their facility fees, the present
immediate financial situation is much less fraught than it was at the end of
last year. We have been able to discharge our arrears to 3 A's in accordance
with our agreement; and secured agreement to defer payment of the quarter's
rent due on 1st January of £11,341 until the end of February, if necessary. 3
A's have been extremely cooperative during the period of our difficulties, but
they do expect a reasonable response from us in complying with the terms of the
leases (more below).
The cashflow forecasts prepared on 3rd January (for
January and February) by our energetic and committed treasurer Jim White are as
follows:
The forecasts contain a number of assumptions, the most important of which are
that after 3rd January another 30 members will pay their subscriptions in
advance; and that the substantial outstanding facilities' fees will be paid.
(During the short period since that date, members have indeed continued to make
these payments.)
(i) We are sure of being able to meet our commitments
in January.
(ii) With reasonable further support in the advance payment of subscriptions,
and the due payment of facilities' fees, we will be able to meet all our
commitments up to the end of February.
The forecasts do not take account of the prospective sale of PR, in which there
is firm interest. We are hopeful of completing a sale by some time in February.
(Of course, the potential sale could also fall through.)
If there is a sale of PR, any immediate financial problems will be solved.
On behalf of the Committee (actually all of us), considerable thanks are due to
those who have made payments so far. However:
(i) During the last four days or so receipts of
payments and facilitites' fees have slowed
substantially.
(ii) a plea still goes out to all members who intend
to renew their facilities' fee who have not yet paid to pay promptly; and (ii)
if you are able to, please renew your subscription in advance. We cannot rely
on the sale of PR, so further help is still needed, although not so urgently as
recently.
CO-OPERATION WITH 3 A'S
As I have said, 3A's have been cordially cooperative and extremely helpful.
Please do not blame me as the messenger of two specific requirements: first, no
parking on the double yellow lines outside the clubhouse (yes I have been
guilty myself); secondly, the number of glider trailers parked by the blister
hangar is limited to 6.
ENTHUSIASM TO SERVE
Following the indications given at the EGM as to prospective resignations,
there has been a dramatic burst of enthusiasm from members wishing to serve on
the committee. Indeed for the first time in many years, there may well be more
aspirants than vacancies. Naturally, the competition for places (if it
continues) will be resolved in an orderly and calm way at the AGM...by an
election - without the democratic process being pre-empted in any way. You
already know that two of us intend to retire at the AGM, and others will retire
by rotation. It is not for me to to say whether these
others will offer themselves for re-election.
Details of the AGM will be planned on Jack's return at the end of January, and
I anticipate that the date will be announced in the February newsletter, with
the notices and documentation going out in February.
CONSULTATIONS WITH STAFF AND COST SAVINGS
Consultations continue with staff with a view to making substantial costs
savings, in respect of which there have been some positive developments towards
a consensual and imaginative solution in one area of operation, which has the
potential to generate substantial savings, without adversely affecting meeting
our operational needs in any way.
Thanks are due to Heggy and Dave Richardson for ideas
about changing the way we operate tugs which may have the potential to save us
£4,000 in a full year. A drop (although a significant one) in the ocean
perhaps, but I hope there will be other similar drops from ideas in the pipeline.
DINNER DANCE
Please don't forget the dinner dance to be held on 4th February, and book your
tickets now!
Alan Green
From the CFI
Dinner Dance
Saturday 4th February is
nearly here.
Everyone needs to get their tickets for the dinner
dance NOW!
Tickets are available from the
office as is a copy of the menu.
This is a great chance to get
together and socialise with other members and support the social aspect of the
club. Partners and friends are welcome so why not make a night of it!
Booker Regionals
The regionals
dates are 10th – 18th June 2006. Places are starting to go so get yours now to
avoid disappointment!
Annual awards
Could all those who won trophies
last year please return them to the office ASAP. Only
one trophy has been returned so far!
The trophies are:
The Brian
Edwards Trophy – Presented to the
person who is deemed to have made the best progress and/or effort as a student
pilot (decided by the CFI).
Good Show
Trophy- Presented to the
pilot who is deemed to be the most promising up and coming x-country pilot.
(Only to be won once. To be selected by Booker advanced soaring group).
Challenge 300
speed cup- Presented to the
pilot who achieved the fastest speed around a flight no less than 300k in
length.
Challenge 500
speed cup- Presented to the
pilot who achieved the fastest speed around a flight no less than 500k in
length.
Kirtleside – Presented to the pilot who achieved the longest distance
flight starting from Booker.
Weekend ladder – presented to the pilot who’s
flights scored the highest according to B.G.A Weekend ladder rules (only flown
on a weekend).
Open ladder - presented to the pilot whose flights scored the highest
according to B.G.A open ladder rules (flights flown any time of the week).
John couch
trophy. For
first 100k. Not awarded 2005
Harry cook
trophy. Most challenging turn point. Not
awarded 2005
Golden Pants
Award. You can guess how to get this one!.
If you think you have done a flight that may qualify for the
above awards this season then please give your claims in to the office ASAP.
Aerobatics Course
Graham Saw’s aerobatics course is
under way with the help of Alun Jenkins and continues
through to March 2006 on the 1st Saturday of every month. The list
of dates is on the notice board. Book your slot as only four people per course
can be accommodated.
Instructing
John Herman, Lyndon Wood and Steve
Williams are now finished their Basic Instructors course. Congratulations to
all three.
Congratulations to Mark Sempers on going solo in December.
Andy
Shobdon / Long Mynd visit 2006
A group of us will be visiting Shobdon again in April at Easter. The dates are from Easter Friday 14th April
until Sunday 23rd April inclusive.
I have also had a lot of expressed
interest in visiting the Long Mynd the weekend before
(8th & 9th April) for some winch launching and possible bungee launching.
If you are interested in either or
both of these visits, please put your name and phone number on the list in the
office. A £20.00 deposit is payable for Shobdon.
Further details
when we have an idea of demand or ring me at the club.
DR
WANTED: Tug pilot for Thursday evening group. Must be willing to work long hours with no pay, be
prepared to take flack from flying staff, club members, staff and tower. The
ability to sit contorted in a small, noisy vibrating dangerous cockpit while
wearing a head-clamp designed by the Marquis De Sade
for long periods would be an advantage. The ideal candidate should have a good
sense of humour, a large wallet and the ability to swear fluently in several
languages. Experience at jigsaw puzzles in the dark would be especially
helpful for hangar packing.
Please send your CV scribbled on the back of an old
twenty pound note to Alan Smith – or even phone 07836 239543 or email
thursday@alansmith.co.uk.
The Thursday
night group are not equal opportunity employers”