8th June 2008
Ray Lyons Club Competition
Saturday 7th June 2008 was this year's date for our annual Ray Lyons Club Competition. For those who don't know, Ray was a founder member of the Don Valley Club and had been active in model flying around Doncaster for many years before that. Ray was a former 'Flight Engineer' on Lancasters and had many a good tale to tell. The reason that the club decided to hold a "day" in his memory was that he rarely missed a day at the field if the weather was fit, he had an easy-going manner, enjoyed his model flying and was always good company.
As in previous years, the competition was organised so that everyone had a chance of doing well in the events. This year the events were:
1) Most touch-and-goes in 2 minutes.
2) Timed Glide ... close the throttle and land, the wheels to touch as close as possible to 1 minute later. No timing devices allowed!
3) Spot Landing.
4) Pylon Race. and last, but not least,
5) Limbo!
As well as a winner for each event, points are awarded to each participant. These are all added-together over the five events. The person with the most points wins the Ray Lyons Shield for the year.
Eleven pilots stepped up to the mark with a wide variety of models. It was a great session, with lots of barracking from the crowd, good humour and lots of laughs. The results at the end of the day were:
Touch & Go Martin Dengel - with some real heart-stopping flying!
Timed glide Bob Rowland
Spot Landing Doug Nichols
Pylon Race Ian (The Demon!) Dodds
Limbo Ben Hall
The Ray Lyons Shield was won by a worthy pilot who didn't quite manage to win any of the heats, but did enough to gain the most points overall. Modesty prevents me from naming him, but I will keep it polished and bring it back again next year!!
My thanks to Mark and everyone who helped to organise the day. It was a cracking event, enjoyed by everyone who took part.
Club Subscriptions
Club Subs are due on the 1st July. You may pay your subs to anybody on the Committee. Please show them your 2008 BMFA membership card when you pay. In return, you should be given a receipt.
The rates for 2008 are £40 for full membership and £5 for under-18's / or those in full time education. As a result of the feedback received, mainly from the over 70's, the suggestion to have a reduced membership rate for the over 70's has not been taken up.
Your Subs are entirely spent on Rent and Rates for the Field, along with grass-cutting and field maintenance.
The May Open Day was a great success, as you know, and has put something in the order of £300 into the Club Coffers. The next event is another Open Day on July 13th. Please do come along and join in. And please invite your friends who might belong to other Clubs. It is an Open Day and we really do want everyone to join in.
Regards to all,
Stu Knowles
on behalf of the 2008 Committee
