MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE KERNOW HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION AT THE CLINTON SOCIAL CLUB ON 14TH OCTOBER 2002

Pete, back in the chair, welcomed the 17 members present and three prospective members, Alan and Glen Fowler and Roy.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Vicki, Tim and Nigel.
MINUTES of the last meeting were read approved and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
Towing. No towing was reported since last meeting and on the one favourable day interest was shown by just five. members of the syndicate. To revive interest members asked if there was any prospect of using the old fields at Borlasevath. The chairman said this was a matter for the tow syndicate and should be raised at the next annual meeting. Mean while he would make enquiries The opportunity was taken to fix the time date and venue as, 7.30.p.m. on Friday 22nd November at the Portreath Arms. with the traditional Crash Trophy award session following.
Steve’s Seat. No progress was reported but Graham said he had been promised an early meeting with the Carrick D C official. Pete, in the chair, said early resolution was needed so that if the outcome is unfavourable we can consider other options.
Training. Graham said he had done a bit with training at Vault Bay and Perran. Our new pilots are gaining experience and Nigel is waiting to convert to his new Rio. Mark was not present to report on PG Training.
Festival of Free Flight 2003. Alan drew members attention to the article by Merv Turner in the current Skywings advising the date as 5th and 6th July. This was being added to our Events Diary with Daisy as the contact. Alan thanked Daisy for agreeing to organise the Kernow operation at FOFF.
Vault Bay Site. Graham reported the circumstances which caused some concern to the site owner. Roger reported on discussions he had with the Farmer. The outcome is that pilots must avoid landing on any part of the site where livestock will be disturbed but two fields on the inland side of the road are now available for landing if clear of livestock. It was agreed that the site guide be revised noting these changes and amending the Access to “KHPA Members and other BHPA members by prior arrangement” It was also decided that Roger. as Site Warden would telephone the farmer on any occasion when he thinks it possible that there will be more than five pilots flying. The secretary was asked to pass this information to neighbouring clubs.
Carbis Bay Site. Roger advised the change of ownership has still not been completed and the farmer wants us to continue to keep clear for the time being.
Celtic Cup 2003. Alan asked for clarification of the date which is now thought to be 31st May and 1st June. The venue is somewhere in Ireland. Members considered it would be good for Kernow to attend and consider the possibility of making a bid to host the competition in 2004. This would need to be a tow event and Pete said he would enquire whether the Borlasevarth site might be available as Culdrose would probably not be suitable.
Bulletin Editor. Alan reported he had received a letter from Hannah saying that she would not be able to go on producing the Bulletin in the new year. The chairman said he can understand Hannah’s decision and that members must think about filling this office and all the other cub offices ready for the AGM. Most of the work in the club is done by long standing members and new blood is needed.
Web Site. Alan asked how many members logged into the site and what they thought of it. Graham said the site works very well but not enough members contributed.
MEMBERS FORUM.
Roger Full said he was flying again and members congratulated him on his return to active hang gliding.
Steve Hawken raised the problem of flying with paragliders at Perran Site. Members reported on the site being congested with paragliders all over the landing and launch areas and hogging the air space directly in front of launch. Some hang glider pilots were intimidated by this congestion Alan said he has already spoken to Mark Bultler of Cornwall Paragliding asking him to use his influence to make paraglider pilots aware of the site rules and to encourage better behaviour. Members decided that we should see how it goes and be prepared to speak to any offending pilots.
Patrick responded to members curiosity about the generous brewery mentioned on the web site Bulletin Board. He will make arrangements for a visit to Skinners Brewery in Truro as part of the club’s social programme. A Friday night is preferred and the date is to be announced.
Roger Green told members of the continuing ill health of Shirley Baseley then went on to describe Barry’s “Sparky” glider resulting from a landing overshoot into an electric fence and how experienced electrician Beetroot failed to anticipate the consequence of grabbing hold the glider.
Phippsy announced his new web site www.flychaps.co.uk He went on to remind us again that the summer XC league finishes at the end of this month and rejected an application for it to be extended to the end of the year. Currently there is just one flight recorded and that by a very smug paraglider pilot with 7Km XC flight co-ordinates must be lodge with Tim.
Mark Woodhams registered his support for Martin Fox in the forthcoming Crash Trophy award.

And that was that for this month as the Chairman closed the meeting at 21.48 and left hurriedly for the boys’ room.