With the start of a new year members are reminded that they must have  paid their BMFA subs to be insured and that they MUST NOT FLY without insurance.  Members who pay through CPF should give their cheques for £31 (payable to BMFA) to Hon Sec Dave Hardy or post it to him at 5 Sharrington Drive, Baguley, Manchester M23 9PE,

The CPF annual general meeting on 16 November 2011  decided to keep club subs at the previous level of £10 for flying members (£5 for social and junior members). The subs are payable by the end of January to treasurer Nigel Grayson, either on the field or by post  to 79 Ascot Ave, Sale, Cheshire, M334QT.

Annual General Meeting

The Club’s AGM was held at Bowdon Rugby Club on the evening of 16 November 2011.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Tony Tomlinson wished the club a happy 21^st birthday, having been founded in 1990 and was now “coming of age”. He told the meeting that it had been a difficult year with the takeover of the Ridgeway Road field by a new lessee and its greatly increased use for football matches, severely restricting our use for flying, especially now that short winter days restrict our flying anyway. However we still have the use of the Ponderosa field on the Bowdon Rugby club site. He appealed for anyone with any clue to any possible flying fields to follow it up immediately. He also told the meeting that there might be changes at Ridgeway road as the present operator seems to be in breach of not only several planning laws but may also in breach of the main lease of the playing field, which is actually owned by Trafford MBC.

SECRETARY’S REPORT  In the absence of Dave Hardy a unanimous motion was passed wishing him a speedy recovery and best wishes for the outcome of his forthcoming stay in hospital.

TREASURER’S REPORT  The treasurer once again raised his opposition to the £200 paid by the club to Bowdon Rugby Club and said he would resign if it was paid in 2012. The chairman said that this was a matter for the committee and the money was not payable until September 2012 so it could be left until then.

SAFETY OFFICER’S REPORT Mark Armstrong told the meeting that he was happy to report that there was very little to report with no major problems and added that he and Dave Johnson were still looking out for a new field.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS  All officers were unanimously reelected. The committee remains Chairman, Tony Tomlinson; Vice Chairman, Jeff Box; Secretary, Dave Hardy; Treasurer, Reg Taylor; Competition Secretary, David Johnson; Safety Officer, Mark Armstrong.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 Sandy Grayson (Social member) complained that club social events, such as a club meal were poorly supported even when they were organised and were attended by the same few people. Her offer to organise a Christmas “Do” was accepted by the meeting.

Peter Mack wanted free membership of the club for 2012 for all existing members in view of the problems with the field and announced that he would not be renewing his membership because of the lack of a flying site. The general feeling of the meeting was to retain the subs at the present level of £10. Chris Ratcliffe seemed more in tune with the general feeling when he said that he was prepared to pay his £10 as the situation at Ridgeway Road might improve or another site might be found.

Reg Taylor suggested that the Sale and Altrincham Messenger should be contacted with a view to getting publicity for the club and its search for a new site, in the hope of finding a farmer with a suitable field. It was agreed that he would do this.

Since the meeting Treasurer Reg Taylor has decided that he does not want to continue and has resigned. The committee has co-opted Nigel Grayson as treasurer on a temporary basis. If any member wishes to take over the post please get in touch with  chairman Tony Tomlinson or Hon Sec Dave Hardy.