Dear Member,

I would like to introduce you to the newly elected committee of your club. These positions were voted on at the AGM held on the 11th December 2005.

* Chairman - Peter Bennett
* Vice Chairman - Tony Rogers
* Treasurer - Phil Durant
* Safety Officer - Terry Hall
* Chief Flying Instructor - Phil Crouch
* Auditor - Colin Homes
* Secretary - Dennis Paul

Renewals for membership are now being taken and your application form should have been sent to you (alternatively you can download a copy from here). Membership fees remain unchanged, but there is a small increase in your BMFA fees. Please return the form with your fees during January. Any memberships not renewed by 1st February shall be deemed to have elapsed. Members are required to join BMFA as a condition of membership. On payment of the fee, a BMFA certificate will be issued along with club rules.

Ok that's the boring bit; I would like to introduce myself to you as your secretary. I am a novice flyer and have been a member of LMFC for just over a year. I attend our flying site on most Saturdays (and Tuesday evenings in the summer months). I know some of you "regulars" but there are a lot of you out there I don't know! So why don't you come down to the site and introduce yourself to me? You can bring your plane down and have a flight or two as well.

As a novice I am not alone, there are several new pilots within the club at the moment as well as a few junior members who are showing us old'uns how it's done. We all need help, advice and tips on flying, building, maintenance and a whole host of other bits of information. That's where you more experienced club members can help ME. As your secretary I propose to send out regular newsletters, maybe bi monthly, but I need some input from you people. I will consider anything for inclusion, tips, hints, advice, and pictures of your latest project. Pictures and history about model flying. Just about anything to do with our hobby.

As well as meeting at the site, we have now arranged social meetings to be held at The Blathwayt pub, just next to the Bath racecourse. These meetings to be held on the 1st THURSDAY of every month commencing FEBRUARY 2nd 2006, around 8 pm in the bar.

Your committee is also negotiating with local model shops in the area for club member discounts. So watch this space for the participating shops and the discount that will be available.

We also want to take you out on a day trip in the summer. The club will pay towards the cost of the coach trip. All we need to know from you is WHERE do you want to go? A couple of ideas Model Expo at NEC in July or how about LMA show at Cosford or Sandown? You tell us where!

For those of you with Internet access, it is the clubs intention to set up our own website. We already have a Webmaster within the club and your chairman is arranging the acquisition of the Lansdown Model Flying Club domain name over the next few weeks. For those of you without Internet access don't worry, you will still be kept in touch by snail mail!

I think we can all really look forward to a good years flying and social activity in 2006, but it all depends on one thing..........YOU!
YOU have to make the effort and turn up at either the flying site or the social gatherings.
YOU also have to give me something to write about in YOUR club's newsletter.
YOU have to tell us what you want. YOU have to tell us if something is wrong.

IT'S YOUR club, so together I am sure we can put Lansdown Model Flying Club back on the map.

Finally, a special mention for 2 of our junior members for achievements awarded at the AGM. The first for Kevin Flew who was awarded the most improved junior trophy, Secondly for Terence Jefferies who received the Clubman's award for his achievements in 2005.

A big WELL DONE to both of them!

That's enough rambling from me for my 1st newsletter. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Happy Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year and some great flying? See you down at the field soon!

Dennis Paul

Secretary