Saturday 24th March

While the weekend weather curse continues, some people are working in the top hangar.....

Clive sent these photos of Steve working on the walls of our new toilet & shower block, which will improve our on site facilities for both club members and visitors over summer. 

Wed 21st March

Graham P flew about 140km today, but had to use the engine from Little Rissington. He sent this photo of the Severn river and estuary, and reports that it was very cold!

March XC

Graham sent this photo from last week. He did a 110km O/R to the North East. Photo from near Hus Bos - looks a definite improvement on the current weather!

Weekend 17th-18th March

Well, the mid-weekers have had some nice weather midweek - no thermals, but lovely clear & sunny skies that lasted long enough to get people back in the air. (Clive put a nice video on facebook if you have access....)

The weekend forecast was bad to say the least -  seems a bit of a pattern recently - so what with the strong winds, low cloud and snow flurries there was no flying on Saturday (and indeed none on Sunday either).

Last night was the club AGM. The two constitution proposals have gone back to the new committee for revision and clarification, so no changes there. With half the old committee standing down, we had a vote for a new committee. Firstly, thanks very much to the outgoing Treasurer Christine, and Secretary Jon plus committee members Terry & Bob for all their efforts over the last few years on our behalf. Also thanks to everyone who came last night in spite of the poor weather, or sent votes in by proxy or email. It was good to see a strong turnout.

Our new Chairman is Paul Duffy, with Dave Price taking on secretary, and Brent stepping up to difficult the job of Treasurer. The remaining committee members are Lucy, Lech, Andrew & Iain. So now it's up to us to give them lots of support during the year.

We also owe a big thank you to Phil B for the last 10 months effort. He has now gone back to being 'President' with some relief, and we hope to see him flying a bit more this year.

Next (currently) planned events are :

• Loughborough UGC visit week 9-13 April
• Visit from the BGA Juniors on weekend of 13-15th April
• Hosting Interclub w/e at Shenington  - early May bank holiday
• the 10th Shenington Regionals - end June

Do get involved if you can!

Tess

Saturday 10th Feb - Annual Dinner

Saturday was miserable and rainy, but we had an enjoyable evening at the SGC Annual Dinner Dance at Whately Hall Hotel. It's amazing how a few whistling/modelling balloons can be such an ice breaker....Photos from Paul D. Thanks to everyone who came along.

Yes, people did dance....

Not sure what this is, but it kept colliding with the chandeliers!

 Relaxing with coffee...

 The president surveys the mayhem.

Jenny, all tied up!

 

Mick won the 'Richard Cranium' award for his attempt at demolition earlier in the year... 

Paul called this one 'the lower intestine'!!

Friday 2nd Feb

They are flying midweek!! Report from Lech about the flying on 2nd:

"The forecast for Friday looked promising with a 15kn North-westerly, ten of the midweek flying group turned up to soar the ridge. Unfortunately the wind proved lighter than forecast and the ridge failed to meet expectations. However as the day warmed up, thermal activity produced a half decent soaring day (for February) and many had their first taste of thermalling in 2018! George even managed 1.25hrs in his Pik 20."

 

Thursday 1st Feb 2018

I'm sure they've been flying but they keep forgetting to send me photos!!

In the meantime, Caz Richardson has sent this photo of her Dad Bill Bench, being congratulated by Bruno on going solo, back in 1996! Bit of a shock to realise how long ago that really is, doesn't seem such a long time ago in gliding terms....Good to hear that Bill is still well & has been in touch with Bruno.

Cross Country Group update

Hello All. I'm told that there will a weather lecture on Sunday evening at 7pm. Contact Graham P if you want to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Saturday 13th January

Today was a typical cold January day. The low cloud cleared only briefly when the CFI took a launch, so aerotows were binned for the day. We had fun anyway and did plenty of winch flights. 

 John & Paul had a long wait in the glider after we had a big cable tangle, but eventually got the longest flights of the day - an epic 7 minutes, apparently gained 'soaring the Alkerton ridge'.

The winch was actually the warmest spot on the airfield!  

 

Sooty looked cosy and sleek in her winter coat but the rest of us were ready to defrost in the clubhouse when we packed up just before 5pm.

Weekend 6 - 7th Jan

Saturday 6th was a bit miserable so the perfect day for an afternoon club strategy meeting, hosted by Phil B. There was a good turnout, and a lot of useful ideas about recruitment and advertising. Afterwards 15 of us had an evening meal together courtesy of Jane.
Sunday was bright and clear, and there was flying, followed by a Regionals meeting later on.