Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the B.M.F.A. North West Area held on 11/04/2000 at the Millstone Public House Golborne.
Persons Present;
Chris Bromley Area Chairman
Steve Ogden Area Secretary/ North Staffs M.A.C.
Roy Allam Area VC. AS. Co-Ord /Fylde Coast M.F.A.
Tom Anyon Blackpool MHC/A.C.E.
Mike Colling Area Delegate / Wigan M.A.C.
Derick Gilbert Area Treasurer/ Sale M.F.C.
David Lloyd Jones Area Pro/ Sale M.F.C.
Alan Cantwell Oldham & DMAC
Charles Vandries Oldham & DMAC
Allan Mills Clwyd Soaring As.
John Beech Runcorn M.A.
Johnathon Boardman Southport M.A.C.
G.Ferer Timperley M.F.
Keith Barker Rochdale RC MFA
Malcom Harding High Peak M.A.C.
Geoff Jackson Parkway MFC
Terry Rudin Parkway MFC
June Harding High Peak M.A.C.
Sue Reeves N.S.M.A.C.
19 Persons Present 13Eligible to vote. Meeting opened at 8.10pm.
.
1)APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Max Loyd, Skelmesdale, Wayne Pendleton and Brian Tindle.
2)CORRESPONDENCE
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) had received the allocation forms for Woodvale
he asked if Steve Ogden (Area Sec) could deal with the matter.
Steve Ogden had received a letter from Oldham & DMAC. Which would be brought
up later in the meeting.
3)MINUTES OF THE MEETING 8/2/2000
A few spelling mistakes and some minor corrections were noted and the minutes
amended.
Proposed Blackpool MHC Seconded Timperley M.F.
For 13 Against 0 Abstentions 0
4) MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MEETING 8/2/2000
Mike Colling said that the Salford University "Dart" building event
has taken place. The conversation then turned to the issue of insurance. Chris
Bromley (Area Chairman) told the meeting that insurance premiums had increased
by 40% for the personal accident part of our insurance. This part of our insurance
package had changed 18 months ago to the Continental scale for disabling injuries.
He added that although R/C accounted for the greatest number of claims it was
F/F and C/L accidents which had been awarded the largest payouts.
5)OFFICERS REPORTS
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) thanked Roy Allam (Area Vice-Chairman) for chairing
the last meeting in his absence.
Derrick Gilbert (Area Treasurer) informed the meeting that we held a balance
of £3,300 which was about £400 down on this time last year, and
that if we continue as we are the balance should drop to about £3,000
next year. Which is our target amount.
D.L.J (Area Pro.) stated that he had attended a club night at NSMAC and had
given a talk. He added that he found this very enjoyable and would also like
to recommend Sue Reeves (NSMAC) substantial meals.
D.L.J. informed the meting that he may have given the meeting a slightly misleading
briefing about subscriptions to the NorthWest Aviation Heritage Museum's magazine.
He stated that he was under the impression that any funding received would go
to help the hangers at Hooton Park (Griffin Trust), this is not the case. He
added that he had paid an equivalent amount to the magazine subs to the Hooton
(Griffin Trust) fund directly.
D.L.J. said that he and Wayne Pendleton had been to Salford University, where
they had held "Dart" building workshops. The first session was for
12-13 year olds who seemed to have little interest or skill. This meant that
most models were not completed in the allocated time. So D.L.J and Wayne went
to their school the next week to assist them to complete the building of the
"Darts". The second group was 15-16 years olds and this group seemed
much more able and interested which resulted in 75% of the models being completed
within the hour allowed. D.L.J. then asked for help at Salford where it is hoped
to build 150 Darts.
Finally D.L.J. reminded the meeting of the forthcoming "Barton Bash"
which is mainly C/L but with 2, ½ hr. slots for R/C. The R/C line will
be run by Allan Cantwell.
Roy Allam (Ach.Scheme Co-Ord.) stated that he had received a letter from the
Wrexham Club asking for a club examiner to be re-ratified even though he had
not been an examiner for 4 years. He informed the club that this could not be
allowed and the candidate would have to retake his examiner test. This was arranged
but the candidate failed to turn up, Roy would write to the club.
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) added that the examiner database is being updated
as we speak.
6) COUNCIL AGENDA
Mike Colling (Area Delegated) Pointed out the items of interest to the Area
from the last Council meeting.
Mike was asked why he had apparently gone against the wishes of the Area and
supported a proposal which the Area had directed him not to support. Mike stated
that he could not remember the exact circumstances but was sure a very convincing
argument was put to Council and that had swayed his opinion. Southport asked
why he did this even though he was given a clear directive. After a short discussion
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) pointed out that the Area can only direct our
delegate and that subject to more information or informed arguments being put
forward he could use his own discretion in the way that he votes.
There was also some talk of altering the way that Area's area funded, Chris
Bromley asked that proposals be submitted to Council after consideration at
Area level.
Mike Colling said that although there was funding for this year's Aerospace
Challenge it was unlikely to be forthcoming next year, but there may be other
sponsors willing to step in and offer support.
Chris Bromley said that membership stood at over 20,000 at the time of the meeting,
nearly 1,000 up on the previous year. And that there were already 619 affiliated
clubs.
Gerry Ferer asked several questions which Chris Bromley answered succinctly.
7) A.C.E DO WE NEED ANOTHER (SALE)
Roy Allam (Area Ach.Scheme Co-Ord) outlined the situation so far. Chris Bromley
said that in his opinion there was a need for in the S/E Manchester Area. There
were several comments some positive and some unsuportive. Steve Ogden (Area
Sec) added that his area (Stoke-on-Trent) used to have a resident A.C.E. but
that he had not been replaced. Chris Bromley agreed that the area mentioned
was in need of an A.C.E. and that in fact we were short of several A.C.E.'s
in order to give good geographical cover. There was a brief discussion. Chris
Bromley suggested that because of the mixed feeling we should go away and talk
about this at club level. The item could then be put on the Agenda for the next
Area meeting.
Steve Ogden read out a letter from Oldham &DMC putting forward one of their
members as a Heli A.C.E. the meeting agreed that there was a need for this appointment
It was proposed by Oldham &DMC that Mr Richard Budd be appointed as Heli
A.C.E for the N/W Area Seconded by Rochdale RCMFA
For 12 Against 0 Abstentions1
The proposal was passed and Steve Ogden (Area Sec) instructed to complete the
appropriate form and send it to the office for ratification at Council.
8) CHAIRMAN'S SEMINAR
This item to be put on the Agenda for the next meeting
9)STAND VOLUNTEERS / TELFORD "DART" WORKSHOP
Steve Ogden (Area Sec) asked for volunteers to help man the trade stand during
the summer and also to help to run a "Dart" workshop at the Telford
show. There was no interest shown. Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) suggested that
Steve Ogden contact Louisa Scott-Clark (Midland Area Sec) to see if she could
offer assistance.
10) ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A, Chris Bromley informed the meeting that the Ach.Scheme Review Committee was
looking into the S/F scheme to try and make it parallel the power scheme. They
were also looking into the Slope "A" and the Electric "B".
He added that there was a general lack of S/F A.C.E.'s.
The conversation went on to talk about the recent "Safety Seminar"
several interesting points were made including the apparently documented proof
that mobile phones do effect computer radio systems. There was also some evidence
presented that, single channel Fail-Safe's do not operate quite as intended,
Andy Ellison (R/C Power Tech. Comm. Sec)is investigating.
B, Oldham &DMAC asked if more could be done to help clubs having trouble
with flying sites. There was a short discussion.
The Meeting ended at 10.40pm.
These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting 09/05/2000.
S.F.Ogden North West Area Secretary