Reading Borough Council

A draft letter requesting the Councils approval, having been circulated to the Committee for comment, was revised accordingly and sent to the Chief Executive on the 24^th January.

A reply was received dated the 26^th January, which acknowledged our request to organise a one day display and exhibition at the Festival Site in Richfield Avenue. It stated that our letter had been passed to Steve Ward, Head of Parks, Sports and Recreation for action.

The letter ended, “In the meantime, and assuming that the Council is able to assist your Club, may I wish you every success with the proposed 75^th Anniversary exhibition and display”.

Subsequently, correspondence has been received from the Parks Department, offering assistance. Although, the Parks Department Bookings Officer, Mr. Hermon, has pointed out that a major problem with the Richfield Avenue site, and for that matter, other Parks within the Borough, is that the flying of “powered” model aircraft is specifically prohibited by the Bye-Laws. He has suggested that we consider asking for the use of the field where the stage of the Festival site is now situated. This is now private land and is owned by the “Mean Fiddler Music Group” and is to the West of Cow Lane.

The Museum and Art Gallery, and the Reading Central Library have stated that they are most keen to help and both could offer us a small exhibition area.

Whilst consulting the Library Service, it was found that the Reading and District Model Aircraft Club are not on their list of Approved Associations and Clubs. Forms for such registration have now been received.

A booking/enquiry form for the use of Parks and Open Places has also been received.

The Parks Department do seem to want to help us, as their last Email stated, “I appreciate that a lot of the above requested information has yet to be finalised, but would appreciate as broad an outline as possible at this stage. I eagerly await your response!”

Richfield Avenue

Dave Belcher, who took careful measurements of the available area and then backed this up with a satellite-mapping image, has recently inspected this site. In his opinion, the site will not even come close to the B.M.F.A. requirements and is unsuitable for our purpose.

He further stated that, with the small number of “B” certificate flyers we have, it might be better to consider a club picnic or similar event that the entire membership can take part in, with maybe, static displays throughout the year, with whoever can offer us facilities?.

Together with what seems to be a ban on power flying, it was decided to seek

alternative venues for a flying display.

Display Venues

The committee gave considerable thought to the problem, but were unable to find any possibility of a site within the Borough, particularly with regard to the Bye Law edict. This included Leighton Park School and Kings Meadow.

The only other possibilities would be the Abbey Rugby Club and the Bulmershe Park, but both are outside the Borough.

The remaining possibility is the Mean Fiddler Festival Site, as the Parks Department point out that this is now private land.

It was then decided that, further information, in particular a name of reference, be requested from the Council, and that a letter be drafted to request the use of the Festival field now owned by Mean Fiddler.

With the above in mind, a visit to establish the suitability of the site must be undertaken as soon as possible.

Martin Dance, Chairman; Andrew Stretton, Secretary and Safety Officer; and Dave Belcher, B.M.F.A. Examiner, be requested to look into this.

Club Registration Form.

It was decided that the form of application be passed to Martin to complete as he is both our Chairman and Welfare Officer.

The Contact of Neighbouring Clubs.

Whilst there could be no guarantee that the Club will be able to undertake an actual Flying Display, we should continue planning for such an event at this stage. With this in mind, it was requested that our Secretary, Andy, be requested to:-

a. Contact neighbouring Clubs and inform them of our 75^th Anniversary.

b. Invite their “B” Cert flyers to join in and assist us, should we be able to arrange a flying display.

c. Invite them to join us in our celebrations, whatever form these may take and provide co-operation and assistance as necessary.

d. In our anniversary year, form a Club liaison which may be of benefit to all in any future events.

Any Other Business.

a. Jack Bishop has offered to build a replica model, using modern materials, of Wilf Smallcome’s 1914 “Rook”. As plans are no longer in existence, arrangements have been made to borrow the model, in order for Jack to replicate the design.

b. Other historic models may well be available from the above source.

c. Contacts have been made with the Reading Branch of the Royal Air Force Association, the Woodley Aircraft Museum and Martin Dilly, a B.M.F.A historian.

d. Julian Temple has given permission for extracts of his book, “Wings over Woodley” to be used relating to the history of Woodley Airfield.

e. The Editor of Sam 35 has been informed of our Celebratory Year. He will announce this in the next “Sam Speaks”.

f. Vic Green has written to say that Wilf Smallcomb’s son, Dr. Gerry Smallcomb is fit and well. He has been contacted and is keen to help us.

g. B.M.F.A. informed of event.

h. WOMAD will be held – 28^th to 30^th July. Pop Festival – 25^th to 27^th August.

i. Air Ambulance keen to be involved in any form of display.

Next Meeting.

The date for the next meeting is at 8pm on Wednesday, 22^nd February 2006,

at 12, The Ridgeway, Caversham.

The meeting ended at 21.40hrs.