Our proud boast in the April issue of having flown five 300kms on the same day was somewhat deflated by the printer deleting the word five! Despite such adversity we are currently trying hard to improve our last record having already completed more than 5000km by the beginning of June, including Silver distances from Colin McKewan and Steve Nash to complete their Silver Cs. The poor weather during the “Hambro cup week” only allowed six pilots to fly on one day, completing over 1300km including three 300kms. Our usual problems of a shortage of new members and reliable launching facilities are still with us – our resident tug has been laid up since last November. Hopefully our recent massive increase in membership and flying charges has not put off too many, but maintaining a club fleet of five gliders operating only at weekends by a club the size of ours is unfortunately getting more difficult. We are currently debating whether or not to say goodbye to our Skylark in an effort to further tighten our belts. 15 However, we are looking forward with optimism to the Summer season with its usual crop of flying weeks, parties. barbecues etc and we hope to cultivate two new instructors. Phil Gaisford and Mike Beattie. the former also having got his name down for the British Team Training Scheme. Visitors are always welcome but please remember that we are only permitted to use the runways and tugs must have permission from Vickers ATC.
