Hello members,

I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying your club time again now the site has re-opened, with the runways and site having been kept in fantastic condition through the huge efforts of David and Keith, (thank you both), we have even been blessed with some sunshine and gentle winds too!!

Just a couple of updates  to keep you all posted

Since March, we have had 7 new members join the club, and I’m sure you will all join me in wishing them all a warm welcome and many happy hours spent enjoying the club site.

I have been asked by the Vice Chairman of the BMFA, via an email from John Collister to circulate the following message to all members:

Request from the Vice Chairman of the BMFA that a notice is provided to members and clubs based on guidance from GASCo (detailed in GASCo report) as a reminder to be aware of 1) that they are fit to fly themselves; 2) the model is ready to fly.

FYI GASCo stands for General Aviation Safety Committee, a non regulatory body that looks at air safety issues of many kinds

John, has also ask that all members should be made aware of the existence of a Midland Area website which is intended for future posting of items to members of Midland Area Clubs. It can be found at https://midland.bmfa.org/

With regards to SWEF, I would like to make you all aware that due to work and personal commitments our Chairman Robert Savin has decided to tender his resignation and stand down from the position with immediate effect, I’m sure you will all join the committee in thanking Rob for all his time, efforts and input to the club, and wish him all the best for the future.

The remaining committee members will remain in post until the AGM in September, when a new Chairman will be elected by you the members, from the list of candidates who put themselves forward and have been proposed and seconded by a member of the club.

I also understand that the position of Club Treasurer will become vacant, as Jamie Hall intends to stand down at the AGM.

So, it’s time for you all to consider standing for these posts and all interested parties to please put yourself forward for election, I have to have received all nominees in writing, with a proposer and seconded by a club member. All members will be made aware of candidates wishing to stand for office and the date of this years AGM,  at least 28 days prior to the meeting.

Lastly, please don’t forget to watch the club site for “club fest” dates, which Stuart kindly organises throughout the season, the first of which had to be cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic

Well that’s all for now, please stay SAFE, follow the suggested guidelines when at the site and happy flying to all of you.

Will Freeman

Club Secretary

Hello all,

I’m pleased to inform all members, that subject to BMFA/Government guidelines for Covid19, the committee propose that the club site is re-opened again for flying, with immediate effect,  but obviously not large social gatherings.

For all members safety, we suggest you adhere to the following guidelines.

Keep to the 2 Metre social distancing rule at all times

The clubhouse and toilet facilities remain OFF Limits and not to be used, for Health and Safety reasons

Maximum of 2 Pilots in the pilot box at anytime

Please refrain from sharing any equipment with other members

If you’re showing symptoms of COVID19, or anyone in your household are showing symptoms, please follow the Government guidelines for self isolation, and please DO NOT attend the club site

I quote the BMFA: TURN UP, FLY, GO HOME

If visiting the club site, your committee implore you all to please be safe, and enjoy your hobby

Here’s to some perfect flying weather!

Kind regards to you all

Will Freeman

Hello again all,

I have received an update from the BMFA, regarding the escalation in the Coronavirus pandemic. They are advising, along with government directive, that we all stay at home until matters improve, and that all club flying should STOP, until further notice.

Therefore, I would ask you all to act responsibly, and take it that the club is CLOSED for flying until further notice.

Thanking you all in anticipation for your cooperation and understanding in these very difficult times. I wish you all well and safe keeping, and look forward to meeting again to enjoy our hobby when the situation has improved.

Best wishes

Will

Another year has flown past!!(no pun intended) And the weather has not been kind over the last few months, but I hope it has given you all time to write your note to Santa for lots of new kit??

The club has achieved so much this year, what with the New Club house, which now even boasts electric power too!! thanks to the great efforts of Dave and Keith and all of you who helped make this possible. The container now hosts the generator, and the lawn mover, so things have moved forward in leaps and bounds this year, for us all to enjoy the benefits in the new season ahead.

I would like to say a big thank you to Paul Hennell, for his tireless efforts in making the clubhouse project come to fruition, and all his work for the club in his roll as Secretary.

Just a reminder that the BMFA fees are now due, (to include CAA registration), so for anyone who has yet to sign on to their site, take the quick RCC test(if you don’t hold A Certificate or above) and pay your fee, perhaps the festive break will give you a chance to do this little job?

On behalf of your committee I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and A Happy flying filled NEW YEAR

Despite the poor weather there’s been a lot going on !

Club Secretary
We’re very pleased to annouce Will Freeman as our new club secretary – I’m sure you join us in welcoming Will to the committee.

Registration & Test
With recent news from the BMFA that the new £9 registration can be handled through BMFA membership, it greatly simplifies the process for all of us; plus we can choose to either take the online test, or instead take the BMFA ‘A’ Cert which has to be a lot more useful & meaningful. If you’re interested in taking the ‘A’ cert please get in touch with Noel noelcross60@hotmail.com

Bring & Buy
The Bring & Buy at the LMA show went well, and we should continue with Barry’s idea to have our own bring & buy at the club. The only question is it better to have one before or after xmas ?? – let us know your thoughts.

Container & Clubhouse facilities !
Keith & David have been busy ! – the new container for the lawn mower has been delivered & they are busy sorting out a generator, heating, lighting & electricity in the clubhouse. Rupert is kindly donating a Microwave & Keith has already brought a kettle.
Wow ! – if you see a hobo in the clubhouse, don’t worry it’s Keith moving in !

At the 11th hour, we got a message from the Farmer to say another club will take the Caravan off our hands !

So to those with angle grinders in hand we say stand down men & thankyou.

Couple of news items:

Membership Renewals will automatically occur on 1st November by direct debit.
The renewal fee of £50 for adults or £25 for Juniors (non-family members) will automatically be requested from your direct debit on 1st November.

Chopping up the Caravan
It appears the cheapest way to get rid of the caravan (in order to make way for a container) is to chop it up & take it down the dump in bits.
We need your help – the plan is to start tomorrow morning around 10:30 Sunday 13th Oct, by moving stuff from the caravan into the clubhouse (temporarily), and then cutting up the caravan into bits to take down the dump. It will be a lot quicker/easier if you can help out – especially by taking some of it down to your local dump in your car.

The 2019 AGM was well attended – please see the Meeting Minutes

Other News
– We’ve moved the mower back to the barn until we get a secure container, as it appears the club house was scouted recently by person(s) unknown.
– Paul has decided to stand down from the committee & we all thank him for his efforts. If you are interested in joining the committee as Club Secretary then please contact robertsavin@gmail.com
– Don’t forget to use the new Members Chat to share info, ask who’s flying & general chat.  Use your email address as the login & your password is your swef no.
– Rupert has arranged a bring & buy at the LMA in Gaydon on the 27th October – so please let him know asap if you would like to bring some RC stuff to sell – rupertbear30@gmail.com

Just to remind everyone the AGM is Sunday 29th September 2pm at the club.

BMFA News
Also, in case you haven’t heard, the BMFA published an update recently with some positive news regarding upcoming registration & training – see here at : https://bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2610/An-update-on-the-UK-regulations-for-model-flyers-a-bit-of-good-news-at-last