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Scottish Hangliding and Paragliding Federation - Ratho Paragliding Gathering 2012 General Info: http://www.shpf.co.uk/shpf-Ratho-Repack.php Date and venue: 4th of February 2012 Edinburgh International Climbing Arena - Ratho FINAL PROGRAMME: 09:00 to 18:00 Zip Line Parachute Jumps / Re-Packs 11:00 / 11:40 2 Liner Paragliders - Design, behaviour, glorious and brown trouser moments by Brendan Reid. 12:00 / 14:00 Speed Flying by Gordie Olliver (CFI) Gordie is or is about to become the first Speed Flying Instructor in UK. 14:30 / 15:30 XC Flying by Triantafyllos Gkikopoulos (Dr T). 16:00 / 16:45 AGM 16:45 / 17:00 2011 SHPF Comps - Price giving 17:00 / 18:30 Redbull X-Alps by Richard Bungay and Steve Nash. Team GB 1. This will probably be the event everyone is looking forward to. Event prices and benefits for registered Pilots and accompanying family/friends: Pilot Registration: £30,00 (includes zip-line, re pack area and access to presentations on: 2 Liner Paragliders, Speed Flying and XC Flying) XC Alps presentation: £ 5,00 IMPORTANT: Parachute Repacks: There will be at least 3 parachute repack assistants but their role is to give advice not to fully repack your kit. The idea is for pilots to learn repacking their own kit. Bring your re packing manual and spare elastic bands for your lines. It is your responsibility to secure a correct clipping to the zip line hooks. EICA staff will secure the link between the zip line and the zip line hooks. Make sure your gear is in working order and please bring helmet and gloves.
It is with much sadness that I have to report that Mike Wilson passed away on Thursday 12th January 2012. Mike had been battling cancer for some time. He was a great friend to OPC and had hosted many flying holidays in Bidache - organising Gites, cars, meals and taking us to the different sites. Mike had trained with Colin and in his day, he loved his flying. Mike always had a wealth of stories to tell and had lived an exciting life before setting down in France. He leaves a widow Josie and will be greatly missed.
Nice flying at Tinto on Saturday when Ochils was clagged in...
MY GOD SATURDAY MIGHT BE FLYABLE.........!
Looks good Logan. Missed it as usual. Was on my honeymoon right enough so not all bad!
video of some flying 19/11/2011
http://vimeo.com/32521597
great flying with multiple trips along to dollar and back by a number of pilots
Reserve Re-pack - Saturday 4th of February (also see below)
Day event 09:00 to 17:30
2 zipline jumps for Parachute testing (additional jumps available time permitting).
Parachute re-pack assigned areas and friendly re packing advice from experienced pilots.
XC Clinic and flying technique workshop.
Speed Flying , the ABC, flying technique and courses workshop.
2 liner Paragliders Design and handling presentation.
Discounts to Pilot's family and friends for the use of climbing wall, aerial park, etc.
TOTAL £ 30,00
Evening event 18:00 to 19:30
2011 X-Alps the toughest adventure race in the world. (Steve Nash and Richard Bungay).
TOTAL £5,00
SHPF Ratho Repack - 4th Feb 2012 at EICA, Ratho, near Edinburgh
More on: http://www.shpf.co.uk/shpf-Ratho-Repack.php
The format includes reserve parachute dynamic deployments (zip-line) and repacks running simultaneously with workshops:
1.Steve Nash and Richard Bungay: Team GB in the Red Bull X-ALPS will present their insights and images from X-Scotia to X-Alps. 2.Gordie Oliver: The first BHPA Speed Wing Instructor will be presenting a workshop on speed wings. 3.Triantafyllos Gkikopoulos (Trias) - Advance XC Serial Team - for an XC flying workshop. 4.Brendan Reid - Highest placed Scot at the British Open (Ozone R10), will be talking on his experience and his 2-liner.
Also there will also be more opportunities for you and your family to use other EICA facilities.
Costs:
Reserve deployment(s), repacking and most workshops: £30.
The Steve Nash / Richard Bungay talk is a further: £5 (However this is included within the £30 if you pay electronically in 2011) using the details below:
Bank of Scotland, Sort code: 80-02-28 Account: 00428340 [Then email Adrian with your details]
More on: http://www.shpf.co.uk/shpf-Ratho-Repack.php
SHPF Ratho Repack 4th Feb 2012 at EICA, Ratho, near Edinburgh More on: http://www.shpf.co.uk/shpf-Ratho-Repack.php The format includes reserve parachute dynamic deployments (zip-line) and repacks running simultaneously with workshops: 1. Steve Nash and Richard Bungay: Team GB in the Red Bull X-ALPS will present their insights and images from X-Scotia to X-Alps. 2. Gordie Oliver: The first BHPA Speed Wing Instructor will be presenting a workshop on speed wings. 3. Triantafyllos Gkikopoulos (Trias) - Advance XC Serial Team - for an XC flying workshop. 4. Brendan Reid - Highest placed Scot at the British Open (Ozone R10), will be talking on his experience and his 2-liner. Also there will also be more opportunities for you and your family to use other EICA facilities. Costs Reserve deployment(s), repacking and most workshops: £30. The Steve Nash / Richard Bungay talk is a further: £5 (However this is included within the £30 if you pay electronically in 2011) using the details below: Bank of Scotland, Sort code: 80-02-28 Account: 00428340 [Then email Adrian with your details] More on: http://www.shpf.co.uk/shpf-Ratho-Repack.php
OPC Xmas Party will be held at 7:30pm on the 10th December at Clives in Bridge of Allan. Meal will cost £20-£25 excluding drinks. Please text me on the usual number if you are planning to attend.
Also, the BBC has advised a provisional date of 2nd December for the airing of our episode of EGGHEADS. The BBC will confirm as soon as they have the firm date.
There is a new international paragliding organisation called APPI which has been set up to provide international standards for training and certification for countries who do not have a BHPA equivalent. Membership is free. They are keen for as many pilots as possible to join. If you are a club pilot, you will need to register under the umbrella of a school - Richard and I registered under Zabdi and Morris's Flying Fever school - let me know if you want to do the same so that I can ok this with Zabdi. Have a look at the website if you are interested: www.APPIfly.org.
Imminent Reclassification of Glasgow CTA to Class D
Reclassification of Glasgow CTA to Class D it will be in place by next Friday (16th September) and affects our flights over the Gargunnock Hills Buckies etc... Now limited to 3000ft AMSL without ATC clearance as the layer 3000 to 6000 becomes a Controlled Airspace
Read more at:
http://groups.google.com/group/shpf/browse_frm/thread/e392c32c5a430cc7?hl=en
BBQ CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHER
BBQ CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHER.
Well its that time of year again so time for a BBQ before the winter sets in. Deb & I are planning to host the club BBQ at 7.00pm on Sat 10th Sept to coincide with the last round of the Nationals. Ochils PGC members and their partners are of course very welcome as are visiting competition pilots but please bring your own beer and something to sleep on if you want to stay overnight.
It looks like 2 good flying days around Buckies this weekend so Deb & I are planning a BBQ this evening. Its very short notice I know but that's the nature of the game. All Ochils memebers & partners are very welcome but please bring your own beer, food and sleeping gear as we haven't had time to organise much and have no idea how many will actually turn up.
Better late than never!. Firstly, a few words about the trip to Slovenia in June. Organised by Robin, who has been to Slovenia before, and Stuart and Roy, this trip was a great success. We all got flying in the second part of the week - it is a fabulous set-up for paragliders - lifts to the top of the hill, great sites, english speaking locals, paraglider friendly farmers etc. Good food, good company. when are we doing it all again guys...
Secondly, Logan and Robin and Rab set up a session with the Mountain Rescue guys at Fishcross on the 6th July. Richard and Pierre and I also went along to help. We took along some old kit and Logan took them through it all and then the guys had the chance to ask us a few questions and finally they did a 'rescue' exercise. It was a really good night and big thanks to Logan and Robin and especially Rab who lent his harness for the exercise. One thing to note - in the event of an incident on the hill - if have to phone 999 - the correct process is to ask for the POLICE service. The police will then mobilise the Mountain Rescue. If someone has been injured, you may think you should ask for the Ambulance service - but actually this will result in delaying the Mountain Rescue's involvement and can cause time to be lost.
The club will be helping in a mock rescue and general paragliding training session with Ochils Mountain Rescue on 6th July at their base near Fishcross at 18:30 on 6th july. Go along and give your support - you never know the minute!
Buckies is now open for flying.
Just a short note to let everyone know that Mr Buchanan (Buckies) passed away last week. As you know, he has been a very good friend to the paragliders over the years a will be missed by all. His funeral is at Kippen church at 11.00am this Thursday.
The rescue team benefit more from a tree rescue or a hillside. We used to do this as i hung from a tree above Alva woods in the pissing rain. I'd do it again no probs. More realistic scenario. They couldn't safely get me out of the harness as i recall so realism might be a better option. Let me know if you need a volunteer.
I am planning to give a talk to our mountain rescue team on the first Wednesday in July, if there is anyone wanting to join in give me a call. I would also like to borrow a harness for a simulated rescue in our garage if someone has one to spare for a night. RD
Lambing is now underway at all farms around Stronend and Buckies is now closed until further notice. As a rule of thumb lambing is generally confined to the lower fields so please stay out of them and avoid scrapping the hill if sheep are grazing on it. Craigend farm have indicated that landing in the bottom field should be ok but I'd recommend asking them before doing so as the situation could change from day to day depending on livestock movements. (that's the field with the bath in it - should you need one!). Gribloch farm have indicated that its ok to land near Mains of Glinns (that's the yellow house). Deborah and I are always happy for friends and OPC members to park at the house if needed and there's a style at the SW corner of the garden that leads directly to the LZ. Stay safe and may all your landings be good ones.
Snowy has had a word with the farmer - please note that Dollar is closed for lambing.
REMINDER for the weekend. Please note that most of the fields towards Alva have livestock in them and are to be avoided. Also, there is a field on the opposite side of the road to the hill, just before the signposts for Balquharn Farm/holiday cottages which has a crop in it and that field is also to be avoided.
There was an accident on the hill on Sunday afternoon. A group of paragliders from the LLSC club walked up Myreton to fly. A pilot was helicoptered off the hill. More details of the incident can be found on LLSC googlegroups:
https://groups.google.com/group/LLSC?lnk=li&hl=en
Craig has asked me to remind everyone that thermals are at their maximum strength this time of year particularly early afternoon, so there is a need to take extra care.
Committee meeting tonight @ the Hollytree @ 7:30pm
Logan has put this file on youtube from Saturday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUnamcAvRv8
Thanks Logan!
9/4/11 Good day flying at Myreton. Please note that most of the fields towards Alva have livestock in them and are to be avoided. Also, there is a field on the opposite side of the road to the hill, just before the signposts for Balquharn Farm/holiday cottages which has a crop in it and that field is also to be avoided. Someone landed there yesterday and the farmer gave him a really bad time.
2011 OPC AGM will be held on Saturday 2nd April @ the Hollytree @ 7:00pm
If anyone has Stevie Mac's number let him know about Slovenia.....A holiday with better potential for flying this time...
Draft for Clackmannanshire Outdoor Magazine - all comments welcome: ============================================================================== The Ochils paragliding club is based in Menstrie, near Stirling. We mostly fly the Ochils and the Gargunnock hills. If you are already a paraglider pilot: we welcome visitors and new members. You may see us flying, when the weather is dry and not too windy, if you are driving by these hills. Watch for paragliders floating alongside the hills or circling high in thermals with the birds. The club has a number of events planned for 2011 as follows: - April 2nd AGM - June (dates tba) Trip to Slovenia. Experienced Flyers welcome. - Sept 3rd Car Treasure Hunt. Non-members welcome to join in.
For more information, visit the club website at: ochilspgc.org.uk. ===============================================================================
For Sale: Apco Fiesta 2 85-105kg good condition Gin Oasis 85-105kg good condition Gin Gingo Harness good condition Good prices - phone/mail/discuss/offers killmyneighbours (at)yahoo .co.uk 07850 259 236
And camping is really nice there too for the skint.
OK this year's holiday is Kobarid, Slovenia around first week of June. I've been twice and it is far better flying than what we've been doing previously. Big safe launches, huge vertical and big flat valleys free of power lines. I suggest you look at the guides on xtc-paragliding's website though we will be self propelled. The beauty is that the local 'paragliding hotel' has three para-taxis running every flyable day. At ten euro a pop they take you to launch and hang about in case someone doesn't fly. They know when and where to go and it is far, far better to have that local knowledge and be with others who know the area than our hit and miss approach in the Basque. The food's not as good but the flying is much better. On paragliding earth sites are: stol, kovk, tolmin and a bit further out vogel, vogar, lijak, lesce and others. Fligts Birmingham to trieste. No more fucking about. Robin
Sorry for the delay in getting information about the Ratho repack out this year. Unfortunately we had to cancel a committee meeting due to snow, which proved impossible to rearrange due to more snow and Christmas so its been more difficult than usual to get organised. The SHPF AGM will follow the repack at Ratho and there are vacancies on the committee so if you would like to help us out we could do with some new and enthusiastic members. We are planning to go to an Indian restaurant in Edinburgh (Haymarket area) on the Saturday evening and it would be useful if you could let us know if you would like to join us so we can get an idea of numbers. Details of the event can be found here: http://www.shpf.co.uk/Gathering-2011.php Hope to see you there! Cheers, Naomi & the SHPF Committee
SHPF Gathering - Reserve deployment and Re-Pack WhenSat, 29 January, 09:30 18:30 WhereEICA Ratho near Edinburgh (map) DescriptionThe SHPF`s Annual - dynamic - reserve deployment and Re-packing event followed by the AGM and social activities. See here for more details http://www.shpf.co.uk/Gathering-2011.php
Regards - Pierre
If anybody is interested in a weeks flying in Algodonales Spain I can easily arrange for up to 6 pilots plus partners etc. I could organise a fly guide, transport, accomodation, Airport transfers etc all you would need above that was a flight to Spain (Malaga) and beer money. I would suggest either a week in May or October. If people are interested I will get some prices. regards Iain
OPC Xmas Party (well it's a meal really) will be held at Clives in Bridge of Allen on Sat 11th December - 7.30pm for meal at 8pm. Let Jan or Snowy know if you are planning to come as we need to give the restaurant numbers.
Pierre's comments: Hello Jan - let's be objective! Of course in an ideal world - I would like to see electrical power distribution buried underground; as it is for the extensive network of gas / fuel (and water) pipelines that criss-cross the country. This can only be achieved if a government imposes on the power-lines owners to do so; as costs, compared with the current practice of pylons, are increased by many folds.
When it comes to the Beauly to Denny line to be upgraded - having read Scottish Power Transmission publications on Consultation regarding the Visual Impact (and relevant consultation works) I do consider that SPT is considering all possible alternatives and is listening to critical voices (even if some of these voices are purely emotional). As a paraglider pilot I do not see any major impacts on flying in the area. The propose upgrading - while somewhat increasing the height/width of pylons would follow the route of the existing 132kV line and where a deviation is remarkable compared with this existing line (to be removed) it is in an area that affect us marginally (should someone fly there, it would be no more than a re-routing of existing hazards on the fly pass). (Pass this on to other club members if you feel this necessary) Kind regards Pierre
Dear Jan,
Thanks for getting in touch - Ian has forwarded this on to me to respond to. The proposed 400kV line would certainly pose a new hazard to your club members - with many of the pylons in this area reaching close to 60m in height and with a massive wirescape compared with the current 132kV line.
You can help put pressure on the Minister (Jim Mather) to reject Scottish Power's meaningless mitigation measures (native shrubs & trees and grey paint)and insist on undergrounding this section of the line by attending the following:
1/ Monday 25th Oct Wallace High School - a drop-in Scottish Power display from 6-7pm to be followed at 7.30pm by a very important public meeting - to be minuted by the Council where it would be worth asking some questions.
2/ Friday 29th Oct Protest in the centre of Stirling (bottom of King Street) to be led by Kenny Logan from 5.30pm. The Press should be there and we hope this will show the politicians that undergrounding is the only acceptable mitigation solution for Stirling - flier attached - please distribute to your members.
Please encourage your members to attend both the above events, as this is our last chance to force the Government to insist that Scottish Power underground this section of the line. More details can be found on our website www.stirlingbeforepylons or do call me on 01786 462567 if you have any questions.
Thanks
Caroline Paterson
Scottish Power is planning to put huge 400kv power lines along the west of Myreton. There is a group who is trying to persuade Scottish Power to put the cables underground and OPC needs to help. The pylons will be a dangerous hazard to paragliders. There is a letter that can be downloaded on http://www.stirlingbeforepylons.org - go to the Actions section and there is a letter to be downloaded which can be sent to your MSP or one of the Stirling MSPS who are listed.
Last call for the BBQ on Sat 14th. Catering staff will need to know numbers by the end of the week so if I haven't heard from you by that time then there won't be any BBQ for you! There will of course be one or two drinks for everyone but Id suggest bringing some along if you want more. Look forward to seeing everyone there.
OPC Committee next meeting will be held Wed 11th August at 7:30pm at the Hollytree
OPC Does EGGHEADS! Well we did it. Yesterday, OPC fielded a team to challenge the EGGHEADs on the TV Quiz show.
Ann Wagner, Dave Wagner, Ian Drummond, Jim McCall, Pierre Misson and I went off to BBC Glasgow to film the 80th episode for season 12.
After an hour in makeup, my usual panda eyes with hairstyle a cross between just got out of bed and dragged through a hedge backwards had been tamed to a Miss Piggy with dreadlocks. The boys were powdered to perfection and Ann was a vision (even the makeup artist said she looked fab).
When we went into the studio, the EGGHEADS themselves were lovely. They came over and introduced themselves and made us feel at ease. That really helped because at that stage panic was beginning to set in (I was starting to forget my own name). Special mention to Daphne as she was really wonderful.
Memorable one liners included from the makeup artist you guys have to know each other really well for the level of insults flying around; from the floor manager dont pick your nose on camera (looking straight at me); from Iain when told that the show would air in a years time but two of us will be dead by then.
I cant tell you who won or I would have to kill you, but what I can say is that I think that the club can be proud of the performance we gave and it was a real nail biting finish. (There was some spectacular guessing going on). The crew commented on how relaxed and how professional we were as a team. Dermot congratulated us on a really good show.
Hopefully we were good embassadors for the sport.
Special mention to Dave who did a terrific job as reserve. Although he did not get to play, it was essential that we had a reserve and he took some great pics as the official photographer.
We are planiing a BBQ at 4.00pm on Sat 14th Aug for our house warming as well as the Ochils PGC summer do. All members, their partners and families are very welcome but please give us a call to let us know how many are coming so we can organise the food. All donations are of course very welcome. There's some space in the house and plenty in the grounds for camping if you want to stay over but you will need to bring your own sleeping gear. Look forward to seeing you there.
I am just back from a flying hol in Italy which was fabulous. Roy, Stuart, Grahame, David F, Richard and I, along with other non-flying friends hired a house in Spoleto and flew the Castelluccio area which was wonderful. We contacted Mauri who runs the Prodelta Paragliding School and he showed us the flying sites and kept us legal by making sure we had day passes for parking at sites in the National Park and giving us the benefit of advice like - never never land in the lentil fields (as the Italian police will arrest you for this). Mauri did not speak any English, but fortunately Roy had invited Bill, who spoke Italian, to join the holiday and Cate had a phrase book so we did pretty well. The weather was amazing and we got flying most days. Food was great too. Big thanks to Roy for organising the holiday. Also congrats to Stuart and Cate who got engaged.
Buckies have now finished lambing and the site is now open for flying again. Stronend never actually closed this year but there are some horses in the lower landing area that are probably best avoided if at all possible.
Mobile number is 07711 842 162 - it's on Vodafone if that makes any difference. You probably can't read my writing on the membership application :-)
I am having a few probs with people's mobile phone nos - any thoughts would be welcome - Ann W, Iain D and Grahame T, I seem to get a lot of problems sending texts to you, I am wondering if it is a network thing. Robin - can you pls send me your new mobi number. Reminder to those who haven't paid the 2010/2011 subs that these are now due.
Raining hard here and looks like it's on for the day!
Nice to see some pics from Myreton. The set should be titled 'A Homage to Craig Ross'. !.
The cloud base at Stronend is too low for flying this morning but may lift later. Please note that restrictions due lambing are now in effect.
REMINDER that the Club AGM is being held on Saturday 17th April at 6pm at the Hollytree.
At last! We had a flyable weekend last week. Unfortunately, our drivers were not available as they were away for a long weekend themselves with the 4*4, so many thanks to Stuart, Mike and Ian who provided their motors and also to David who did some of the driving. On Saturday we had folk on Wee Myreton and on Sunday we were on Big Myreton. Bob V even took some pics: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BobVeitch/Myreton100410?feat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BobVeitch/BigMyreton11thApril2010?feat=directlink
Buckies will be closed for lambing from 20th April until further notice. Stronend will remain open however there will be landing restrictions on the lower fields. A detailed map of the no go areas will be posted shortly.
Hard to call tomorrow, but I think the wind direction looks wrong for Myreton so I have not booked the 4*4. And it is going to be sooo cold.
Nae offence likes.
I've just asked a local if someone can take me tandem in Hong Kong and it looks pretty good, so when i'm flying that endless thermal and you're all scratching aboot or ttb off Myreton i'd just like to say:- "get it up ye"! Especially Richard.
a BIG Thank You to everyone who helped and everyone who came along to the OPC Xmas Party this year. The Hall and the Food and the Bar and the Band were great. The numbers were down a bit on last years bash, so not so much dosh was generated for the club as last year. But everyone had a great time. Special mentions to Richard, Angie and Sarah for the food, David and Fiona who worked on the bar, Roy who helped with the raffle, Andy who printed off the tickets and organised the band, Craig and Peter who manned the door plus everyone who sold tickets (especially Ann). It was a good mix - including a few folk who came along on the night who were flying when I first started and it was really good to see them again. A good start to the Festive Season.
OPC Xmas party tomorrow!! 7:30pm til midnight Coalsnaughton Village Hall Ceilidh, bar, meal and raffle. See you there!
New key for the padlock has been collected and we can get up the hill in the vehicle again!!
OPC Christmas Party is this Saturday - 28th November at 7:30 at Coalsnaughton Village Hall. (http://www.clacksnet.org.uk/hosted/coalsn/index.htm). There is a bar, ceilidh band and meal. Raffle donations would be appreciated.
Forecast pretty awful this weekend so I have not booked the 4*4.
slight problem folks - the farmer has put a wire fence blocking access to Myreton and the second gate has been padlocked and we do not have a key. I am sorting this out, but it is unlikely we will be able to get the 4*4 up on Sunday (8th Nov).
weather looking good for the weekend, 4*4 booked for saturday - as long as it isn't raining.
Forecast very poor this weekend. I have not booked the 4*4.
Weather is looking good for Saturday so I have booked the 4*4 for 11:00am at the bottom of the hill, usual place (back of the Hollytree in Menstrie).
It looks like it is going to be blown out this weekend so I have NOT booked the 4*4. If by some miracle the weather starts to look better, text me and I will try to organise something.
Forecast North going North East so I have cancelled the 4*4 today, Flying at Buckies could be an option. The Nationals guys are still trying to decide where to go but because the winds will be light, they are looking to go somewhere a bit higher than the local hills. They are meeting at Gordon and Tina's this morning. Anyone wanting to join the comp - contact George McGhee.
SUNDAY: 4*4 going up at 11:00am today
It is the Ochils round of the Nationals competition this weekend. We usually combine the club's own comp - the Ochils Challenge with the Nationals - so club member's performance in the Nationals comp will also count for the Challenge.
Meet at 9:30am in Menstrie on Saturday. At the moment it is expected that competition site will be BISHOPS HILL on Saturday.
I have also booked the 4*4 to be at the bottom of the hill at 11:00am for a run up wee Myreton for anyone who does not want to fly in the comp.
============================================================================== Directions to get to Bishops (thanks Gordon) Bishops is the hill used by the Scottish Gliding Center to east of Loch Leven just beyond Milnathorpe. We usually park at Kinneswood on the A911. Enter village look for school sign on left turn next left and park near top of hill where path leads on to the hill.
Poor forecast this weekend so I have not booked the vehicle. Hopefully next week will be better...
There was one trip up the hill on Sunday, the wind was very light and switching around a bit - but at least we got top to bottom flights. We have arranged to let Gordon know by Friday if we need the vehicle again next Saturday so here's hoping... The price to members will be £3 per trip as before, but if you have not yet paid your subs, the price will be £5 per trip. So if you have not yet paid your subs pls send them into Richard as soon as you can.
It was bad luck that the weather was not as good as expected today. Tomorrow is still looking good though and the 4*4 is booked for 11:00.
Hi Everyone, It looks like it will be flyable this weekend and I want to take this opportunity to trial a new way of getting folk up Myreton.
Gordon has an off road vehicle and is willing to use this to take folk up the hill on weekends. This means that the club saves the costs of having to own and run its own vehicle.
The way it will work is that we will let Gordon know if it is expected to be flyable in advance and he will have the vehicle available at 11:00am for a run up the hill. Gordon is doing this on a commercial basis and will charge members of the club £3 and non-members £5 for each trip up the hill, The club will subsidise members fares and will make the £3 up to £5.
Gordon needs at least 5 people per trip to make it worth his while, however there are obviously no guarantees there. We are planning to trial this new arrangement for a month and see how many people are actually using the service.
The idea is that if it is a flyable day, Gordon and his vehicle will be there at 11:00am. Hope to see you on the hill !!
The club summer BBQ was held at Roy's farm last Saturday and was a great success. A BIG Thank You to Roy for hosting and all the people who helped out (Stuart and Cate especially)and also everyone who came along to support the club. The food was great and how Roy managed to negotiate a rain free evening remains a big mystery...
4wd heading up Myerton @ 11.15am this morning. Prob light SE mainly thermic.
Looking ahead to the xmas ceilidh, Coalsnaughton Hall has been booked for the 28th November 2009. This is a bit earlier than usual - so please put this date in your diaries to support the club. Thanks.
CLUB BBQ is being held on the 18th July at Roy's farm at 7.30pm. Food will be provided. Bring your own beer etc. More details are being sent out by e-mail.
hi guys - sorry - the club vehicle is still out of action to my knowledge. It needs some welding to be done before it can go through an MOT and it has not been possible for anyone to find the time to do it. Most of the drivers/guys with the maintenence skills are in France this week. The car is parked off road at Robin's new place in Stirling.
Too much wind and N component tonight. Stuart will try again tomorrow at 6pm if conditions are better.
Wind expected to drop off tonight. Stuart is planning a 4WD trip up the hill at 6pm tonight if looks ok.
Committee meeting tonight at 7.30 in the Hollytree.
Light S winds and lots of sun forecast tomorrow hence there should be big thermals at Craigleith and Dumyat for the greater spotted paragliders and some more gentle ones in the bowl for the lesser spotted variety. The plan is to meet at Menstrie at 11.00am however a few 4WD trips may be required to get everyone up the hill if its busy.
The wind looks ENE 9mph tomorrow hence the new site at Braco might be good. I will attempt to contact the owners this evening to find out if its open. If anyone knows the status over at Bank hill then please give me a call as this provides a local secondary option. I would suggest meeting at at 10.30am Menstrie and take things from there.
Buckies is now shut for 3-4weeks due to lambing. I will post another message here as soon as its open again.
Stuart is planning to take his 4wd drive up to Myerton @ 5.45pm this eve if anyone interested.
Stuart & I fixing 4wd this morning but are planning to take the other 4wd up to the bowl if it's flyable at 12.00 noon of anyone wants a lift.
Craig, Tommy and I met Pauline Lamb from NATS on Friday 6th March 2009 to discuss the proposed changes to airspace, as these will effect the Gargunnock Ridge. Meeting was fairly positive. Will keep you posted.
Buckies is looking good according to the weather. Am heading along there about 11 if anyone interested?
Committee meetings have been re-scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month rather than the Tuesday. The time and place remain the same.
4wd battery out for charging. Will reinstall Tuesday afternoon.
Tickets are now on sale for the Christmas ceilidh. The ceilidh will be held at the Coalsnaughton hall this year on the 13th of December at 7pm. Tickets are £20 if purchased before December and £25 in December.Ticket price includes a buffet and a raffle will also be held in the evening.Please email Peter and i and let us know how many tickets you require.
4WD going up to the bowl at 11am. Expect light conditions.
Sorry for those who are'nt aware the message below is referring to The Borders round of the nationals which is this weekend.
message from Logan, if you want the pdf email me, I cant attach it to this message board.
Hi All,
Tommy asked me to provide directions for those who require them. There is a better copy as a pdf attachment for printing.
Just a reminder -
Make sure you have sufficient Fuel, Food, alcohol and Water for the weekend. There is water available from the river but the taste can be variable. It would be better to bring your own. A folding chair is good for sitting round the campfire after the Barbecue (bring your own food).
meet at the Boston Hall around 10:30 latest so we can get everyone to the chosen site and up the hill.
Weather closing in later tomorrow afternoon so the 4WD will go up the hill at 9.00am as well as 11.00am.
The bowl might be ok this afternoon. I'm planning to take the 4WD up at 1.00pm if anyone is interested.
Sad news about mike. He was some character. The guys from Wingbeat still go on about his hospitality.