Persons Present
Chris Bromley FSMAE / Area Chairman
Steve Ogden Area Secretary/ PMAG
Roy Allam Area V/Chairman / Ach Scheme Co-Ord / Fylde Coast MFA.
Tom Anyon Blackpool MHC/A.C.E.
Derek Gilbert Area Treasurer / Sale MAC
David Lloyd-Jones Area Pro/CLMG
Geoff Pomfret Skelmesdale MAC Mem Sec & Tres
Keith Barker Chair Rochdale MAC
Stephen Headland Sec Rochdale MAC
Max Lloyd Skelmesdale MAC Sec/Lleyn MAC
Ken Griffiths Blackburn & DMAC
Gerry Ferer Timperley MF
Sue Reeves PMAG
Alan Cantwell Chair Cromptom MFC
14 Persons Present 10 Eligible to vote. Meeting opened at 8.10pm.
1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mike Colling (Area Delegate) apologised for being unable to attend this meeting
as he was attending a Tech fair in Aberdeen. Wayne Pendleton also apologised
for not being able to attend.
2) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Meeting held on 12/6/2001
There were some minor amendments and corrections, which were noted and will
be amended for the record.
The minutes were then proposed as a true record by Tymperley and seconded by
BMHC.
For 10 Against 0 Abstentions 0
3) MATTERS ARISING
Chris Bromley (Area Chairman) informed the meeting that membership of the society
should stand at over 32,000 at the end of the year with about 653 affiliated
clubs. Gerry Ferer (Timperley MF) asked how much of this increase was due to
the recent demise of the Independent Ins. Group. Chris Bromley replied that
that it was judged that about 1,000 new memberships were related to this. He
added that while working on the Trade Stand he had taken about double the usual
number of memberships. Chris added that the BMFA had a turnaround of about 5
to 6 thousand members per year which is quite low for a national body.
Gerry Ferer asked what was considered a suitable age for someone not to need supervision. Chris Bromley said that there was no specific age, but that it was the decision of the clubs committee. There must always be some form of judgement of the person to decide on whether supervision was required or not. Gerry then asked what was required of F/F clubs or at F/F events. Chris Bromley finished by saying that flyers and organisers shared responsibility and must at all times be seen to be acting reasonably.
4) CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence to report.
5) OFFICERS REPORTS
Chris Bromley reported that he had been busy in the office upgrading the Achievement
Scheme database. When completed this should allow easier access to the information
it contains and would enable ratification of club examiners using the bar code
system already in use with normal club memberships. Chris also asked for a volunteer
to stand in for him at the next Area's Council meeting on 6th Oct. He could
not attend this meeting, as he would be at his daughters wedding. Steve Ogden
(Area Sec) volunteered to go on his behalf.
Chris also reported that Brenda Chen had moved to Canada and that Sian was to replace her at the office as accounts manager, with Kim acting as her assistant.
Roy Allam (Area Vice-Chairman) said that he and Tom Anyon had attended the recent " As easy as A, B, E " seminar at the Blackburn club's venue. Although not well attended by other clubs it was very successful. Chris Bromley whom also attended said that he would be giving a talk to the club later in the year to answer some questions asked of him on the night.
Derek Gilbert (Area Treasurer) said that for the last couple of years the area had run at a deficit of about £200. But with the cancellation of the Area Fly-In we would break even this year. He added that we would not need to decide on a possible budget restriction for the next 6 months or so.
David Lloyd Jones ACE reported that he had taken 4 candidates for their "A" test at the Warrington club. He had also been asked to take "B" tests but considered the site to restrictive. He did however offer to test the candidates at his own club field.
Gerry Ferer asked, must every member of a club must be a member of the BMFA in order for the club to affiliate. Chris Bromley replied that if a person flies or helps to organise the club they must be a member of the BMFA. If they just attend meetings and watch the flying then they do not need to be. He added that for clubs considering affiliation special condition can be applied, these conditions would need to be discussed with the Chief Executive of the society.
Tom Anyon (PNW Editor) informed the meeting that he had not as yet started to compile the next edition of PNW.
6) COUNCIL AGENDA
Chris Bromley spoke on the item relating to a Q&A session at the AGM. He
stated that he thought the proposal as it stood was unconstitutional and could
not be adopted. He added that officers already stay on at the end of the AGM
to answer questions. If there was time
Ken Griffiths asked the meeting if this Q&A session could not be publicised more, which may encourage increased attendance. Chris Bromley said this was possible and that informal notes could be taken if desired. He added that no formal minutes were taken, as it was not an official part of the AGM. Finally he said that as many officers had other duties to perform that day, he felt that it could only be considered as optional on their part to attend.
The consensus of the meeting was that, even if the proposal was not acceptable in it's current form, some sort of more formal arrangement would be appriciated.
7) AEROSPACE CHALLENGE
Steve Ogden (Area Sec) had received listing of the enquiries and confirmed entries
for the challenge within this Area. Chris Bromley said that local modellers
would be asked to provide help and advice to the teams entered and that Steve
Ogden would co-ordinate things.
Chris Bromley also stated that there would be no Area Finals of the Aerospace Challenge this year, with all teams that enter being invited to fly at the National final at Cosford. Volunteers would also be needed on the day to help supervise things. There were several offers to help.
8) NW AREA FLY-IN
Chris Bromley said that this item should be kept on the Agenda of future meetings.
9) NW AREA INDOOR FLY-IN
Alan Cantwell said that he had found a promising venue near to his home and
was busy sorting it out. He hoped to hold the event in February 2002. He added
that the event would be indoor R/C only.
10) EDDIE RIDING
Geoff Pomfret (Area Scale Comp.Sec) thanked everyone that had helped to run
the competition, especially Ton Anyon and Roy Allam. He elaborated on the event
adding that he had received criticism over the inclusion of the rapier engine
models. Chris Bromley stated that as CD it was his choice whether to include
the or not in the competition.
Steve Ogden said that the only criticism that he had was the apparent disassociation with the NW Area. He felt that this should be addressed at future events as it is after the NW Area's premier event.
Geoff also felt that a definitive set of rules is required. Chris Bromley asked Geoff to compile a draft set for consideration.
Finally the meeting congratulated Geoff with a round of applause.
11) AOB
R/C Nat's
Gerry Ferer stated that he had attended on the Sunday and had a few minor criticisms.
Chris Bromley as Nationals Co-ordinator took note and will look into the problems
and suggested solutions. He thanked Gerry for his comments, which were constructive.
A, B, &E Seminar Ken Griffiths thanked those whom had attended and suggested that Blackburn may repeat the seminar at a later date.
Left or Right hand Instructors
Derek Gilbert asked if there were any guidelines for instructors teaching pupils
on a different mode than their own. The meeting agreed that the use of a buddy
box lead was a good solution and that other solutions to the problem should
be tailored to the individual requirements of the pupil. The club concerned
must at all times be seen to be acting reasonably. As letting a mode 1 instructor
who was not a proficient mode 2 flyer, teach a mode 2 pupil was not a good idea.
The Meeting ended at 10.35pm. These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting 2/10/2001.
S.F.Ogden North West Area Secretary