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.  

THURSDAY 28 DECEMBER 2017

The Winter Flying mid-week group has been blessed with few flyable days in recent weeks, so it was good to blow away the cobwebs with a day in the fresh (cold) air and winter sunshine. About a dozen members did mutual flying in CCC. Thanks to Bob for taking the photos.

16th December

We had a good day at the club yesterday. We had a late start due to some rain showers, but most present wanted to get in the air so we flew the K21 two up, and took turns to fly. Wind didn't look quite right but we managed some extended flights on the ridge - longest flight of the day was with Rob F and Tim D at 17 minutes.

After flying we re-rigged the K8 which has recently had it's ARC completed. Phil M has done a marvellous job - the glider looks very smart and the paintwork gleams.

While we'd been doing that Mick, Christine and helpers had been putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the clubhouse. It looks very jolly now, Christmas feels like it's here! A number of members brought food or all sorts, and set this up in the clubhouse. Rowan made mulled wine from scratch with spices and fruit, and it went down very well. Lots of food and drink, plus a couple of silly party games organised by Lucy. Who knew that Paul D could draw cartoons that well??

Thanks to everyone who came along and contributed - it was lovely to have a relaxing & happy evening with friends. Merry Christmas everyone!

 

 

15th December

Some lucky people were flying today, report from Graham P:

The small group of Paul Lech Graham and Dave Price turned up to try the forecast northerly despite the cold.
We were joined by 2 air experience who had come on to site to eat lunch, to them be persuaded by Lech that they wanted to fly. The hill had worked moderately well,but feeling cold we were going to stop but Lech and I decided to use the last cable. Launching to 1600 ft in the K21 we reached the water tower at 1300ft but then climbed back to 1500ft on the return run. The hill was now working spectacularly well and for a time our height was limited by a lowering cloudbase. Cold and fading light finally persuaded us to return.

Photo looking along top of hill. Same field on Tuesday.
Graham

 

 

 

30th November

Graham reported a good hill day with some convection. Minus 12degrees C at 3000 ft cloudbase. Here is a fantastically clear view of the airfield from 2500 ft that Graham sent.