2009 AGM Minutes

SAM 1066

Minutes of AGM 2009
11^th October
Middle Wallop

16.00 hrs

1. Apologies for non-attendance had been received from various members.

2. The AGM 2008 Minutes were approved unanimously

3. Chairman and Secretary's Report

David Baker, who died in January, was greatly missed. His contribution to SAM 1066 had been immense. Special thanks are due to Lindsey Smith and Mike Parker for ensuring continuity during this difficult period.

Many members are aware that Vic Willon, our Newsletter Editor, is unwell. We send him our best wishes.

Thanks also go to Roger Newman, Archivist of the SAM 1066 Plans, Derek for manning the gate on Flying Days and the Station Fire Brigade, with whose help many models have been recovered during the year.

4. Treasurer's Report

Mike Parker reported that there had been an overspend of £480 during the year, mainly due to the SAM Champs. Specifically:

a) There has been a continuing decline in attendances, reducing revenue

b) Extra expenditure on the trophies for the Dixielander competition

c) The hog roast

Some money had been clawed back from other clubs' events run on the airfield, plus the participation by R/C flyers (Tomboys etc) made a welcome contribution. However, we still need to get the numbers back up.

There is £1302 left in the bank, slightly less than 2008 but still very healthy and representing about three years reserves.

Proposed

That the £1 gate-money levy be continued in 2010.

That we continue the 50p subsidy on specific club competitions in 2010.

That the ‘no subscription' policy for SAM 1066 membership be continued for 2010.

All approved.

5. Membership Secretary's Report

We currently have 529 members, comprising 426 Seniors, 98 social and 5 juniors.

By country:

Argentina 1

Australia 4

Canada 6

France 3

Germany 2

Italy 30

Mauritius 2

New Zealand 3

Slovakia 2

Sweden 1

UK 455

USA 20

The SAM 1066 website is receiving about 30,000 visits a year, proof of considerable worldwide interest in our activities!

6. Liaison

Lindsey Smith reported that there have been a number of changes in the MW hierarchy. Col. Bob Thayer is now the admin manager; Maj. David Skinner is the new airfield manager and Neville Stops is the contact for the Army Flying Association. Relations with them all are very cordial.

The haymaking that occurred during the Champs this year was apparently a blip. The farmer had just left it a bit late. Maj. Skinner will liase to try to ensure it doesn't interfere with the SAM Champs next year.

The Museum is considering a proposal to create a Garden of Remembrance in part of the present camping area.

There is the possibility of increased helicopter activity on the airfield in future, resulting from the creation of a new ‘Joint Helicopter Command', involving all UK defence services. The message from Lindsey Smith is ‘Use it while you can!'

The Museum also has a new director in Col. Simpkins, who is sympathetic to our continued activities.

7. Events

We have applied for 12 days in 2010 (13 agreed in 2009, we applied for 14). No guarantee we will get them all but we should know the outcome before Christmas.

As mentioned, attendances at many events are falling. This could have the unfortunate effect of reducing our influence with the MW authorities.

The inclusion of vintage r/c and control line is gaining in popularity and Lindsey Smith recommended it be continued. Accepted.

8. SAM Champs 2010

Mike Parker questioned whether, with falling numbers of competitors, it was worth continuing with all the comp. classes. But if it was agreed some should be dropped, how do we decide which?

Various comments, queries and suggestions from the floor:

Most felt it was worth persevering

The lack of support could be due to the CDs not actively promoting the comps

As it is expensive to provide trophies and bottles of wine for all the places, perhaps only first places should be rewarded

Was it feasible to have free comp. entry, to encourage more participation?

Mike Parker summarised the mood as being that comps should continue as at present but but with fewer prizes. Accepted.

9. Camping

Mike Parker reported that it is becoming increasingly expensive to provide toilet and rubbish facilities for those who wish to camp, as opposed to the motor-homers and caravanners, who are self-sufficient.

Although the number of tents has reduced significantly over the years, for some people camping is an integral part of the Champs. If no facilities were provided, they could be put off coming. There is no profit to us in providing the camping facility, all receipts go straight to the Museum.

Proposed that at Easter 2010, we could encourage only motor-homes and caravans or alternatively charge £1 a night, per tent occupant, for the provision of a Portaloo.

Derek pointed out that other organisations invariably charge £8 a night for camping, so we are out of step with them.

The floor accepted that the provision of Portaloos at Easter should cease altogether but continue at the August weekend, subject to an increase of £1 per tent occupant, per night.

A proposal that the tenters should cover the whole cost of the Portaloos was deemed impracticable, as it is impossible to predict the numbers.

        10. Hog Roast

Mike Parker asked if we should carry on with the free hog roast. There was enthusiastic support for it and all agreed it should continue.

        11. Election of Officers

Mike Parker and John Thompson are both prepared to stand for re-election. However he in particular will only do so if there is some relief from the task of running all the flying days. These are quite onerous, requiring an 8.00 am arrival at the airfield for briefings, followed by constant monitoring throughout the day of the communications radio, marshalling and finally ensuring that the airfield is fully vacated by 18.00 hrs. This heavy workload has meant that for several years he and John Thompson have been unable to enjoy any flying.

The floor was sympathetic to this and a number of individual volunteered to help. They were:

Nick and Carol Farley (two days), Rod Audley, Brian Stichbury, Tony Shepherd, Peter Carter, Colin Hutchinson and Alan Thompson. John Thompson added that the Bournemouth Club has also agreed to cover their flying day.

As regards the officers of the club, Ed. Bennett had been nominated as Treasurer and David Lovegrove volunteered to take over as Membership Secretary. Both these jobs would be taken off MP's shoulders.

John Thompson, Mike Parker and Lindsey Smith were all prepared to continue as Chair, Secretary and Liaison Officer respectively.

           All elected.

           12. Any Other Business

Contest rules: John Thompson reported that there have been complaints about inconsistency in SAM 1066's contest rules, as compared to SAM 35 and the BMFA. Historically, ours have been constructed and distilled from a number of sources, some very personal, not to say idiosyncratic! Amongst the difficulties is that some models which would have been eligible under other rules have failed to meet the criteria applied at MW.

The Committee agreed that this is unsatisfactory and suggested that discussions be held with the BMFA Free Flight Technical Committee and SAM 35, to devise a common set of competition rules.

Proposed that Rod Audley (Glider), Andrew Longhurst (Rubber) and Tony Shepherd (Power) be appointed as SAM 1066 Representatives with respect to these discussions. Carried.

Contest Directors. It was pointed out from the floor that Contest Directors are sometimes not available when needed, causing delay and inconvenience to competitors.

Suggested that the Committee should impress upon them that they must be contactable at all times and have their mobile phones switched on. Carried.

Radio Control. There have been requests to allow the operation of r/c models in the freeflight area, using the 2.4 GHz frequency band exclusively. This uses mobile-phone technology and other R/C users on the field could not be affected.

Mike Parker said that the Committee are not convinced it would be safe to allow the mixing of the two disciplines. There is also a concern that some freeflighters could be upset, given that we define ourselves as a freeflight group.

It was pointed out that as time passes, fewer members will want or be able to undertake long retrieves. We might therefore be able to retain more of them if R/C is allowed as an alternative to freeflight.

The Committee's proposal was that we leave the question open, with the possibility in future of allowing a third flightline, remote from the R/C club and the freeflight area. Carried.

(As an addendum, Mike Parker mentioned that R/C-triggered D/Ts are already in use, with the Committee's approval.)

Votes of Thanks It was suggested that we should make a tangible gesture of thanks to Derek for manning the gate, and the Station Fire Brigade for their unstinting help on flying days. Agreed unanimously.

Mike Parker stated that in the past we have routinely donated £100 to Médicins Sans Frontiéres on Derek's behalf. The same amount is sent to the Fire Brigade as a contribution to their annual Christmas bash.

David Lovegrove proposed a vote of thanks for John Thompson, Mike Parker and Lindsey Smith, for all their work on our behalf during the past year. Carried with a warm round of applause!

Meeting Closed at 17:30.

David Lovegrove