SHROPSHIRE MODEL FLYING CLUB
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT 1930 7 DECEMBER 2011 AT THE WINGFIELD ARMS, MONTFORD BRIDGE

Those Present
Max Adlington, John Adlington, Trevor Allen, Alan Ayres, Jon Benetto, Ray Blyth, David Bradick, Simon Claydon, Andy Collins, Rod Curley, Kit Davidson, Ken Davies, David Davis, Malcolm Element, Peter Gannon, Richard Golding, Tim Goodwin, Peter Graham, Mike Hall, John Holland, Elliot Howells, Peter Maunder, Martin Oldershaw, Richard Oliver, John Pace, Phil Pearson, Mark Purslow, Marvin Ryles, Geoff Smith, Alan Smith, Chrissie Stone, Peter Summers, Jim Talbot, Ken Taylor, John Vella-Grech, AIan Walker, Pat Walsh, Roy Washbrook, Don Weetman, Phil Whiting, Jeremy Whittingham, Kevin Williams, Alan Winter. (43)(c 58 per cent)

Apologies
John McColley, Derek James, Carl Gittins, Max James, Stu Evans, Noel Eaton (6)(c 8 per cent)
Not in Attendance
(25) (c 34 per cent)

AGENDA

CHAIRMAN MALCOLM ELEMENT’s REPORT

1. Malcolm précised the improvements to the clubhouse and its environs in 2011. Notably these were the removal of the trees and weed shrubs around the clubhouse walls and the blocking of the see-through holes in the clubhouse door. He remarked on the clubhouse paintjob and trainer availability improvements. He also thanked Alan Ayres for making new arming tables and highlighted changes in security. Combination locks to the outer gate and the clubhouse mean that security is not only reinstated after it was compromised but the absence of keys means that members cannot be accidentally locked in on the airfield.

2. Malcolm took pleasure in announcing the award of the Tony Salisbury Memorial Shield to Martin Oldershaw. Martin holds the 2011 Glider Duration Record in a competition cleverly devised by himself. President Ken Taylor presented the Shield.
Martin shows his surprise and delight whilst thinking about buying a lottery ticket for next Saturday.
 

SECRETARY KIT DAVIDSON’s REPORT

3. Kit produced the following membership statistics:
a. Membership 69 Seniors, including one woman and not including 5 juniors. (74)
b. New members for 2011 – 16 (21.5 per cent)
c. Members leaving in 2010 – 13 (17.5 per cent)
d. Early enquiries for 2012 – 5
e. Members were all domiciled in Shropshire except 7 in Powys and one each in the West Midlands, Wrexham, Cheshire and Worcestershire.
f. Only 4 members could not be contacted by email.

4. The membership possessed the following skills:
a. 5 Examiners.
b. 9 B(FW) Standard pilots.
c. One B(H) Standard pilot.
d. One A(H) Standard pilot. (Helicopter qualified pilots are only 4 per cent of the membership.
e. 12 Novices (16 per cent of the membership, including 2 Mode 1 novices)
f. All the remainder were A Standard pilots.

5. The Club Committee has 10 members plus the President, Chairman, and Secretary.

6. Kit added the dismantling of the landing square Western fence to the list of Chairman’s achievements. Before its removal, the fence represented a 23 year old air navigation hazard.

7. Other achievements centred on the Bring and Buy Sale organised by Richard Golding and the Tony Salisbury Bequest Auction. Members should be proud as Tony would have been of their generous contribution to the Macmillan Nurses. There were Aero-tow , Funfly, Scale and Vintage Day successes. The Club featured on BBC Radio Shropshire and Max Adlington aged 16 passed as an A Certificate pilot in one month. The Turdis is now clean, fresh and maintained on a regular contract.

8. Kit commented on some failures; our event days could have been better attended. The attendance did not do justice to the organizers’ efforts. The aerobatics Day did not happen for an unknown reason. The SMFC Flying Scholarships had not resulted in any young person interest. Magnet Shrewsbury tore up and laughed at our begging letter for a kitchen cabinet.

9. Finally Kit sought consensus for more event days next year including a Forton International Air Tattoo in May. This could involve camping at the Wingfield Arms and visitors from model clubs in Wales and England.

TREASURER KEN TAYLOR’s REPORT

10. Ken reported that we had about £1000 worth of assets and a comfortable balance of £5,500 in the bank. The bulk of Ken’s report and his recommendations are clear on the attached Treasurer’s Report.

11. Ken outlined his ambition for a programme of improvement in 2012. Accumulated funds are best enjoyed by the present and future membership. The clubhouse walls are damp and can be improved by extending the overhang of the roofing and other alterations. He sought a consensus for the proposal to spend some accumulated funds on similar projects. It was forthcoming. The Committee will be encouraged to generate a programme in line with membership ideas.

12. Ken intends spending a lot of time absent abroad in 2012. He requested an Assistant Treasurer.

13. Ken proposed that the SMFC membership subscription remains at £45. He proposed that his Report be accepted. Seconded by Andy Collins. Carried unanimously by the attendant membership. (Please note; combined BMFA and SMFC membership for 2012 is £76)

ELECTION OF OFFICIALS

14. The Club Officers and Committee resigned en masse.

15. The Chairman submitted himself for re-election. Ray Blyth seconded. The Secretary submitted himself for election. David Davis seconded. Both were elected by a majority of the attendant membership.

16. The Treasurer submitted himself for re-election. Proposed by Richard Oliver. Seconded by Andy Collins. Carried by the majority of the attendant membership.

17. The Treasurer suggested that Richard Golding be his Assistant Treasurer. Chrissie Stone proposed. Richard Golding found himself hemmed in against a roof pillar, between members’ chairs. There was no escape. Seconded by Ian Walker. Carried by the majority of the attendant membership.

18. Every member of the Committee volunteered for further service except Carl Gittins who requested retirement for business reasons. Additionally, Andy Dibbins who previously had been a supernumerary as the Web Master volunteered for full Committee duty. Elliot Howells and Jeremy Whittingham volunteered for Committee duty. John Pace proposed and Tim Goodwin seconded. The attendant membership carried by a majority that the 2012 Committee will consist of:

Elliot Howells
Andy Dibbins (also Web Master)
Richard Oliver
Jeremy Whittingham
Simon Claydon
Andy Collins
Kevin Williams
Richard Golding (Also Assistant Treasurer and Noise Monitor)
David Davis (Child Protection Officer)
Martin Oldershaw

19. Ken Taylor stood down as the 2011 President. Chairman Malcolm sold the notion that John Holland should be the 2012 President because apart from running a well-good BBQ, he is an all-round jolly good egg. Seconded by Ken Taylor. Carried by the majority of the attendant membership.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

20. Alan Ayres reminded everyone to scramble the gate combination lock and properly secure the runway sign. He also reminded the Secretary that the RAFA Nesscliffe event was a failure in 2011 because the club had not provided the static display expected. We all promised to do better in 2012.

21. Peter Graham wanted the member named who opened the gate with his vehicle. He wanted to know if the member was a Committee member. The Chairman answered that the matter had been dealt with and closed. There was nothing to be gained by further disclosure.

22. Peter Summers donated a sound meter to replace the sound meter missed after the paintjob.

23. Simon Claydon suggested that each bench be fitted with power sockets for ad hoc charging and electrical requirements. The meeting responded favourably to this idea.

24. Ian Walker promoted a Suggestion Box but Chairman Malcolm ruled that everybody could approach a club officer or Committee member.

25. The meeting was closed at 2030.

KIT DAVIDSON
Elected Honorary Secretary
01691 648299 9 December 2011
Enclosure:
A. Treasurer’s Report