Kevin Mercer.
Agreed.
Congratulations to Dave Grey, Martin Dance, Dave Belcher and Ron Perkins who are now BMFA approved instructors having successfully completed the necessary test.
Club mower is still for sale. It was agreed to keep until the spring and then try to sell again. If not sold by then it could be put on eBay and hopefully sold by that means.
Membership adverts. It was agreed to put an advert in Hobbystores including the two membership joining evenings in January. Also some flyers might be provided to include with Christmas purchases of trainers etc. Dave Belcher agreed to action.
Action: Dave Belcher
The chairman reported that he had made contact with an individual who had contacted the secretary via the BMFA about returning a club trophy that had been found amongst a deceased friend’s effects. This should be collected shortly.
There were no additional items notified for the AGM and so the secretary confirmed that he would circulate the agenda shortly. Paul Joslyn volunteered to bring a number of copies to the AGM.
Action: Secretary/Paul Joslyn
None had been notified at time of committee meeting. There would be one on subscriptions once the rise in BMFA fees was confirmed.
The existing committee indicated they were all willing to continue of re-elected. The office of Chairman is the post in rotation due for election this year. The current chairman indicated he is willing to continue if elected.
The secretary was aware that the BMFA will be proposing a rise of £1 in their subscriptions. After discussion about club costs including items such as postage on sending out BMFA memberships it was agreed that the proposal from the committee would be for the fees to increase by the amount of the BMFA increase with no rise in the club portion.
The treasurer reported that he had a number of items already for raffle prizes. Puffin Models had donated a kit and he had been able to purchase various items from a modeller retiring from the hobby. He would be purchasing some more prizes in due course.
The catering arrangements were discussed and the treasurer agreed to approach Linda Bishop to see if she would be prepared to do the catering as in previous years. If not there was a place identified in Tilehurst that may be able to provide the necessary catering. The treasurer agreed to liaise with others to ensure that catering was provided.
Action: Treasurer
Joe Dray had made enquiries and reported back that the third river crossing was part of the local development framework up to 2026 for potential strategic transport improvements. No definite timescales have been given but it seems unlikely to happen before 2016. There will be public consultation and many other assessments to be made of the route which will give time for the club to make its representations. The committee were grateful for the information from Joe.
Concern was raised about non-members using the flying field and whether we could ask the security guards to police this. The security guards are aware of our flying times and the condition that anyone flying must be able to produce their valid membership card. Clearly there are implications for the club if non members are using the site. All members when at the field should be satisfied that others are members of the club and are free to ask to see membership cards. However, the security guards are not paid by the club and it not their role to police the site for the club. They do challenge people on occasion and have sent them away. The club needs to careful in its approach to the landlords to ensure that the right balance is struck. The secretary agreed to speak to the site manager.
Action: Secretary
Flying times had been questioned. Particularly the no flying on Mondays and Fridays. The secretary and chairman reported that the agreement with Oracle had never included an agreement for flying on Mondays and Fridays. The wording for silent flight had been ambiguous and during correspondence and discussion about flying for park flyers Oracle had made clear that they wished to ensure that Mondays and Fridays remained non-flying days as per the agreement. This had now been confirmed.
Parking problems at the site have arisen again due to the amount of roadside parking that takes place now. This is out of the control of the club though in the past there was an agreement with Oracle that we could use the car park near the security building. This is full of contractors equipment now. The secretary agreed to speak to the site manager to see whether there was any space available at this site. The roadside parking is out of the control of Oracle although it is known that they would prefer no parking Monday to Friday at any time during the day.
The need for an alternative site was discussed, but it
remains problematical in this area. The
club should continue to pursue the possibility.
There was discussion about the programme of events for club evenings. It had not proved possible to find a guest speaker for 20th November. Deluxe materials had been contacted and agreed to do something in the New Year. Brian at Oxford Models would be willing to come along and talk at a future club meeting. There was then discussion about holding a simulator evening or unusual model event. Details were not firmed up at the meeting but would be subsequently.
It was agreed that once any guest speaker or event was confirmed that the details should be forwarded to Paul for putting on the website and inclusion in the next newsletter. Dave Grey volunteered also to put the details in the notice board at the flying field.
The chairman agreed to confirm a date with Deluxe Materials. This might also include Permagrit as it was understood there was a tie up between the two. The alternative would be to invite Permagrit seperately. A visit to the Woodley museum was also proposed though this should take place in the latter part of the season due to the weather. Various other events were suggested and will be planned.
It was agreed that the first two meetings in January are membership evenings and thereafter the programme would be the responsibility of the new committee, though approaches to identified guest speakers should be made to fill the February meetings.
It was agreed that the club should look for an alternative venue for committee meetings. The current venue is subject to alterations and is public. The treasurer agreed to research an alternative venue in Woodley.
The treasurer reported that there had been just one competition this year.
This will be for the incoming committee to agree at the AGM.
The meeting closed at 21:50