HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL

Hi all,
 
By the time you read this Christmas will be over and the New
Year fast approaching, with the contents of a big brown box spread over the
living room floor, and thoughts of another 15 minutes building ahead, that’s
assuming you have all been good boys this year and Santa has been kind.
 
From a club point of view it has been a great year,. This is thanks
mainly to the web site and a slightly more relaxed approach by our current Chairman
regarding the joining procedure; the club is up to its full 40 members. Once
again we have had a varied program of speakers ETC, a lot of them thanks to
Woody’s lucrative postal round! So my normal plea is, if you know anyone who
can give a presentation please let me Know.
 
My thanks go to Andy (Patsy) Palmer for taking over the blog
writing duties’, his patch reports are informative and humorous, there isn’t
much that gets past him, even I didn’t get away unscathed, see Decembers
report!! I am sure Andy will agree it is very difficult to keep things fresh,
so if you have anything to say just pass it onto me in an email, and I will be
happy to publish your thoughts.
 
Mick has made no secret of the fact he will be retiring as
chairman this year. I am sure you will all join me in thanking him for the last
4 years, and agree he has done a fine job. I think all those years as a
paramedic were a good training ground , he is always calm, can assess every
situation with a wise head, never gives up on what, to most of us would be a
lost cause, He knows when to use humour to lift everyone’s spirits,” well
he has given us plenty of laughs”, But his greatest Attribute is never to
shy away from the difficult decisions, in fact I have lost count of the times
he has arrived at the Patch, and moved the pits because he didn’t like the
position it was in !! Thanks Mick for the last 4 years
 
One of the most difficult decisions the Committee has had to
take this year is to make having an A cert compulsory to fly solo at the patch
for all club members. Starting at the beginning of February Once this new rule
has been ratified at the A.G.M. anyone without the A will have to be
accompanied by a club appointed competent person, not simply another A cert
holder, as is currently the case. The other major change is anyone failing to
comply would be considered to be breaking club rules and could be asked to
leave. I know some will feel this is a bit harsh but we feel this is the best
way forward for the club. There has been 4 months for those without the A to
take the test. So come on guys, if you are happy to fly solo, you are good enough
to take the test.
Finally I would like to thank you all for your support of
the raffle this year. My only difficulty is keeping the range of prizes fresh,
so any input you have will be gratefully received. Ironically since Hobby king
have opened thier UK warehouse it is easier to get big raffle prizes which
don’t take months to recover the cost in ticket sales, but it is more difficult
with the small raffle. Interestingly I understand that the small tickets have
cost £1.00 since the beginning of time!! Maybe we should consider raising the
price of the small raffle tickets to improve the prizes on offer.
 
Happy new year to you all.
 
Steve H.