Dear Club Secretary
Happy new year. As the newly appointed BMFA East Anglia Area Committee Chairman I hope to keep the flow of information to you useful, informative but not excessive so here goes …
BMFA Council Meeting. This was held a week ago and as the first meeting of the new council much of the agenda was taken up with routine business but the highlights were:
1. Membership: Over the past 5 years total BMFA membership has reduced by just under 4000, no doubt due to our ageing membership, uncertainty over regulation and other local factors. Therefore it was pleasing to hear that membership renewals are already up by 1300 on the same time last year. 8800 members have paid their £3.50 for a plastic membership card which should be with you soon.
2. Flight Fest: Last year the month of May was designated as Flight Fest as a vehicle for clubs to promote model flying to the wider public and grow their membership. This year we hope to have even greater participation and our area target is for 15 clubs to run Flight Fest events in May. I am aware of clubs who have lost members due to regulation, others who have held steady and others have grown but it is difficult to get an accurate picture. Flight Fest might just be the opportunity to kickstart fresh interest.
3. Buckminster and a BMFA Charity: Our National Centre at Buckminster is becoming better established year on year. This year will see a toilet/shower block installed and plans are advanced for hard surface control circles. The Council received a report on exploring a separate charity to support Buckminster aimed at making it more sustainable.
4. International teams: Congratulations and good luck to members from our Area selected to represent GB at world and European championships
Mark Benns (Peterborough MFC) F1D – Indoor Duration World Championships in Slanic, Romania in March.
John Carpenter (Ramsey MAC) F4H – Radio Control Scale World Championships in Norway
Garry Peacock (Harlow and District MFC) F3A – Radio Control Aerobatics European Championships.
Mike Woodhouse (Vikings) – Reserve team member for F1B – FF duration rubber European Championships.
East Anglia Area Bursary Fund
We are keen to support clubs to promote model flying and established a small bursary fund last year. If your club is planning on holding a FlightFest event in May it may be helpful to have a small grant to provide a barbecue or produce some promotional material Etc. The fund isn’t restricted to Flight Fest so if you also have other ideas please contact either me or Mike Woodhouse for further details on how to apply.
Achievement Scheme – Dates for your diary
Jason Channing is our new Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator. Jason and his team of Area Chief Examiners are keen to support clubs in all aspects of the scheme. They will be holding an Examiners workshop on 16 May hosted by the King’s Lynn Club. More details to follow.
The Achievement Scheme Review Committee will be holding one of their regular Roadshows in the Cambridge Area on Saturday 28 March. Again details are to follow and will be published on the BMFA website as well as our Area site.
Contacts
Paul Hoey: Area Chairperson and Delegate to BMFA Council paul.hoey1@yahoo.co.uk
Mike Woodhouse: Area Treasurer/Secretary mike@freeflightsupplies.com
Jason Channing: Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator Sparklingstars916@msn.com
Happy Landings and do feel free to contact me regarding any BMFA related matters and I will try to help as best I can.
Paul Hoey
