KERNOW HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION

AGENDA FOR THE FEBRUARY MEETING

MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2004

Apologies: Apologies were received from Andy Hancock, on account of it being too far to cycle, and

Vicky Ferguson, being unwilling to return from Vietnam just for the meeting.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read, agreed and signed.

Correspondence:

· An e-mail from Adrian Bishop, as BHPA club liaison officer, was received, asking members for

their opinions on the BHPA. Chairman Pete suggested we all think about any comments and

bring them up at March’s meeting.

· An e-mail from Airways’ Andrew Rastall was received, enquiring about advertising possibilities

in the club bulletin. It was agreed that the secretary would reply, asking about what exactly

they had in mind, and we could discuss it again when we know more.

· Pete Coad passed on a message from Andrew Hancock, asking for more articles, and asking for

volunteers to write sites reports. Roger Green was volunteered to write about Vault Bay and

High Cliff, Roger Full said he would report on Carbis Bay, Alan Phipps agreed to do Carne,

Graham Phipps would do St Agnes, Steve Hawken would do Chapel Porth, Steve Edwards

volunteered to write about Perranporth, John Trewartha agreed to do write about Praa Sands,

Kenegie and Hayle Towans, and chairman Pete said he would do Godrevy and Carn Brea.

Matters arising:

· Training: Graham Phipps reported on a good day at Perranporth, getting Chris Lobb back

soaring, and doing some dualling. He also said he had been trying to coax some novices to go

XC during the Frostbite Comp.

Mark Butler reported nil PG training.

· Competitions: The frostbite Comp had been run on the weekend of 7th and 8th Feb, but due to

strong winds no PG tasks were flown. No HG task was flown on the Saturday, but Sunday had

seen two tasks; one a spot landing at St Agnes, won by S Devon, with some very accurate

landings. The second task was open XC, with a lot of Kernow pilots going over the back, and

one S Devon pilot, resulti ng in a resounding victory for the Kernow team, with S Devon 2nd and

Devon and Somerset Condors 3rd. Pilots from the Avon and Malvern clubs came, but they did

not fly. Trophies, generously supplied by a friendly local dealer, were presented to Graham

Phipps, individual winner, Pete Coad, second overall, and Steve Hawken, third, and to the

Kernow Club as winning team.

· Not a lot of progress was reported by the team looking into a tow competition to replace FOFF.

Graham May is keen to keep it in Cornwall, but they are having difficulty finding any suitable

fields. Pete Coad said he had been checking for likely looking fields from his FLPA, but to no

avail so far.

· Club Flying: not much paragilder flying was reported. In hang gliding, Pete Coad reported going

to High Cliff with Paul and Gay, and flying an out and return to Widemouth Bay. On the same

day several pilots enjoyed a good day at Perranporth. People had also been out at Carbis Bay,

and a few hang gliders and paragliders had flown at St Agnes.

· Incidents: before anyone else could tell on him, Gavin owned up to parking his borrowed

Calypso in between two caravans at Perranporth. He explained that the wind was a bit brisk; he

flew too far back on his landing approach, anticipating a better glide, and was unable to

penetrate forward. Thankfully he missed the caravans.

· XC Flying: Pete reminded us of his out and return at High Cliff, a number of hang gliders flew

XC at the Frostbite Comp, and Phil Whitelaw has opened his XC account, with a sterling effort

from St Agnes.

· Social Events: The climbing experience on 25th Jan was enjoyed by those few who turned up. It

was noted that there were not many hang glider pilots there.

We were reminded of the Skinners Brewery tour on the 20th Feb.

· Smart Group: Pete Coad said he had spoken to Andrew Hancock about managing the Smart

group and the web site. Andrew had said he did not have the expertise to run the web site.

Steve Edwards volunteered to take over the web site if John Sekula did not object. Pete said he

would speak to John.

· Annual Dinner: A good time was had by all. Thanks were extended to our friendly local dealer

for generously providing the wine and Pete was thanked for doing the organising.

· Electronicification of Club Bulletin: It was agreed that it was a good ide a to send the bulletin

by e-mail, reducing printing and postage costs, and saving Roger Full’s valuable time. Anyone

wishing to receive the e -bulletin should e-mail Andrew to say so.

Any Other Business:

· Points from the treasurer Paul welcomed a new member, Alan James, who had paid up that

very evening. He asked everyone to pay up as promptly, please: he has received subs from only

33 members out of a possible 70, so far.

He also brought up the matter of the 50 club. He said that with 27 members, income for the

year was £320, but outgoings were £330, plus postage, which rather defeats the object of

raising money for the tow syndicate. He suggested the tow syndicate should decide whether to

reduce the prizes given, which would need agreement from all members, or to just wind the

whole thing up.

Paul also brought up the matter of what to do with the club funds. It had been suggested that

we change banks, to increase the interest we receive, but he suggested that we invest £1000 in

premium bonds, and leave the rest as a float in the high interest account. This might reduce

the interest earned by a few pounds, but gives the opportunity to win vast amounts of money.

It was decided that the proposal should be explained fully in the bulletin, and voted upon at

March’s meeting, giving absent members the opportunity to vote by proxy by notifying the

secretary or chairman.

Brian Reynolds suggested that to reduce the number of people delaying payment of

subscriptions, a penalty should be imposed on those not paid up by a certain date. Patrick

suggested that it would be best to monitor the situation this year then deal with any problems

at next year’s AGM.

· Roger Full explained why he had requested that Andrew limit the bulletin to less than 12

pages. He said it was necessary to keep the weight within the 2nd class postage band.

· Roger Green said he had heard from Francis Crocker, thanking the club for the offer of the

micro light flight. He said he would take it up on a fine day in spring.

· Graham Phipps gave an update on Vault Bay. The drawings for the cattle grid were done, and

the No Parking signs would be ready the following week.

He also congratulated Pete Coad on leading the National winter cross country league, and said

that Kernow was the leading club.

He also reported that the South Devon Brass Monkeys Comp. was scheduled for the week end

of 21st Feb.

· Brian Reynolds thanked John, Mark and Dave for giving him his first paramotoring experience.

He said it was really enjoyable.

· John Trewartha gave a report on an unknown red paramotor flying around Kenegie, and failing

to land. We wonder whether he is the one spotted flying around Predannack.

50 club the draw was made, rewarding Alan Clark with £15 and Tim Jones with £5.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.25, to enjoy the airspace talk given by Gavin

At the end of the March club meeting there will be a meeting

of the Tow Syndicate. The treasurer would like input on the

50 club, which at present is running at a loss.