SEWHGPGC Mailing List

SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 7 May 2008

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:39:00 GMT

SE Wales Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club e-Newsletter <hr /> Dragonfly The latest edition of Dragonfly is available for download in the members area of the web site at:  <a href="https://www.cymnet.co.uk/~sewhgpgc/members/private/dragonfly.php">https://www.cymnet.co.uk/~sewhgpgc/members/private/dragonfly.php</a>   It's Jason's best magazine yet, another 32 page jam packed edition. A "page turning" version can also be viewed online at: <a href="http://www.online-brochures.net/files/2864">http://www.online-brochures.net/files/2864</a>   <hr /> Club AGM Just a final reminder that the Club AGM will be held in the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny at 7.30pm on Saturday 24th May. This is your opportunity to have your say in the way the Club is run, so do try to come along if you can. The evening will also include the presentation of Club Trophies for 2007.   <hr /> Is anyone else going flying? If you're not sure whether anyone is going to be out flying, or which is likely to be the best site, it's worth checking out our forums. Club members are increasingly using this to keep in touch, and decide which is likely to be the best site to visit. Check it out: <a href="http://www.sewhgpgc.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=9">SE Wales Hang Gliding & Paragliding Forums</a>   <hr /> CAA Mode S Phase 2 Transponder Consultation April 08 The following message is from the BHPA Airspace Panel: As BHPA members will know, the CAA has issued a new set of consultation proposals for Mode S transponder usage, requiring a response by 31 May. These can be viewed at <a href="http://www.caa.co.uk">www.caa.co.uk</a>. Click on ‘Mode S’ and follow the links. Individual BHPA club secretaries should also all have received CD's direct from the CAA detailing the proposals. Most members will recall that the CAA launched a public consultation on the proposed expansion of Mode S transponder usage in June 2006. This resulted in a significant level of concern and opposition to the policy from the sporting and recreational flying community. As a result of the feedback from that consultation, the CAA has decided that a more gradual, phased approach will need to be employed, and further consultation will be needed on some elements of the proposed policy. This present consultation is part of that. The Government recently approved proposals that make Mode S the required means of compliance for transponder carriage in all the mandatory circumstances with effect from 31 March 2008. So – to be clear – the present consultation is not about whether or not you think Mode S transponders have a future in the UK: that has already been decided. This consultation is about the phased expansion of Mode S transponder usage. It should be noted that, unlike the 2006 consultation, this consultation on the second phase of Mode S expansion does not propose that all aircraft should carry Mode S transponders in all UK airspace. The Detail The CAA's proposals are broken down into four 'options', ALL of which they deem desirable to implement but any final recommendation to Government will depend on information and feedback from stakeholders, which includes BHPA Membership (ie. individual Hang Glider, Paraglider and FLPA pilots).  Each 'option' is considered in specific documentation on the CAA website with a cost benefit précis and we suggest you read them for more detail. Initial examination of the documents may suggest foot launch flyers are exempt from the proposals. This is true but we should pay attention to any knock-on effects and to the fact that inevitably sooner or later a suitable lightweight transponder will exist for hg/pg carriage. Option 1 Require all aircraft (other than gliders) in controlled airspace to operate SSR Mode S transponders. Pros to BHPA: Increased levels of safety for aircraft within controlled airspace, i.e. those BHPA members that use airliners to get to their flying abroad! Cons to BHPA: ·         Once a Mode S infrastructure exists for the majority, the CAA's long-term plan for wholesale airspace reclassification will then be possible. ·         Our existing operations in controlled airspace are based on Letters of Agreement (LOAs): as more traffic becomes ‘known’ it is quite possible that the toleration of our ‘unknown’ activities will evaporate. ·         Non Mode S equipped powered traffic will have to find routes around controlled airspace, increasing traffic in the airspace where we can fly.   Option 2 Implement a formal process to support applications for ‘Transponder Mandatory Zones’ (TMZs) outside of controlled airspace. The CAA already have the power to set up TMZ’s – and think it likely that more of these zones will be needed in the future.  This proposal is about establishing a clear documented process for dealing with future applications for a new TMZ – as against the current vague, undocumented process. Pros to BHPA: This perhaps gives us an opportunity to ensure that there is always a proper consultative process, and that the BHPA has a voice within it. Cons to BHPA: ·         There is the worry that, once the CAA has a nice new process for establishing TMZ’s, they will set to with gusto. (But they can do this using their existing powers). ·         There is no certainty that the ‘formal process’ we are invited to vote for will include any consultation and/or criteria we agree with. ·         The BHPA is already overloaded with the number of controlled airspace consultations that are going on. (Nb. An increase in TMZ’s is a decrease in the amount of sky left open to us and all the other non-transponder aircraft, thus reducing our safety) Option 3 Include Gliders in all SSR transponder carriage regulations. This proposal would mean that gliders would have to operate a Mode S transponder when in any controlled airspace, when above FL100, and when in any TMZ. In recognition of the challenges of equipping gliders with transponders, the existing regulatory arrangements whereby ATC units can authorise non-equipped aircraft to operate within controlled airspace, where safety and efficiency requirements would not be compromised, would remain. This would, ideally, be through standing LOAs. As there is currently no suitable Mode S equipment available for HG/PG/SPHG, all foot launched variants would need authorisation from appropriate ATC units to operate within mandatory transponder carriage airspace after 31 March 2009. Pros to BHPA: None known Cons to BHPA: ·         If all conventional gliders equipped themselves with Mode S then LOAs negotiated by the BGA for glider access to controlled airspace would no longer be required. This would then leave agreements for non Mode S foot-launch operations possibly unsustainable. That said, there will almost certainly be a number of glider owners whose preference is local soaring and who will chose not to equip their gliders with Mode S. So perhaps there will still be some support from within the gliding ranks to help maintain LOAs.  ·         Notwithstanding the above, it would seem probable that LOAs for Class D access on cross country flights will disappear. ·         We should expect to find that once suitable Mode S equipment exists for hg/pg then, if we want access to controlled airspace outside the LOAs, we will be required to fall into line and equip with Mode S. (As at present such access will always be subject to an ATC clearance and probably the use of air band radios and R/T licenses to contact ATC). Option 4 Mandate the carriage and operation of Mode S transponders on all powered aircraft conducting international flights. Pros to BHPA: None known Cons to BHPA: None known (Nb. As Self Propelled Hang Gliders (a.k.a. phg and ppg) are currently classified in the ANO as gliders there is no impact for the BHPA membership at the moment. ) What Next? The official BHPA response will be posted on the BHPA website to allow the membership time to reference it before the May 31 deadline. There are three methods of responding to the consultation document: online, by email, by post.  The online response document only allows answers to specific questions – none of which have any direct relevance to us.  So any ‘off topic’ response will have to be by post or email.  ·         Via the web-based consultation response mechanism – follow links on CAA website ·         By e-mail to <a href="mailto:modesconsultation@caa.co.uk">modesconsultation@caa.co.uk</a>; or ·         By post to: Mr Andy Knill, Head of Surveillance & Spectrum Management, Directorate of Airspace Policy, Civil Aviation Authority, CAA House, 45-59 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TE   <hr /> Paul Dancey SEWHGPGC

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 1 May 2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 13:15:00 GMT

Club AGM The Club AGM will be held in the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny at 7.30pm on Saturday 24th May. This is your opportunity to have your say in the way the Club is run, so do try to come along if you can. The evening will also include the presentation of the following Club Trophies for 2007: HG XC League Trophy Winner - Dave Tregaskis (175.66 Km) PG XC League Trophy Winner - Steve Lowe (201.01 Km) 2ns place - Mark Pearson (99.40Km) 3rd place - Chris White (68.37Km) Alan James Trophy for the longest HG flight from a Club site Dave Tregaskis (59.61 Km from Merthyr) The PG Cup for the longest PG flight from a Club Site Chris White (35.05 Km from Blorenge) Most Improved Pilot Award Stuart Osmundsen <hr width="100%" size="2" /> Site Closures The 2008 lambing season has started so please remember that the following site restrictions apply: Pandy Closed 1st - 21st May Blaenavon (Members Only) Closed 1st March to Mid May Hay Bluff (Members Only) Closed Monday - Friday 1st - 31st May ie. the site can only be flown Saturdays and Sundays during this period Further details can be found in our <a href="http://www.sewhgpgc.co.uk/members/private/fsites.php">Full Sites Guide</a> , which can be viewed online in the members area of our web site. You can also download a "hand held" electronic copy for use on a Palm Handheld, Pocket PC, Symbian Smartphone, or Windows Mobile Smartphone. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> Dragonfly Jason has just sent the latest issue of Dragonfly to the printers, so the online version should be available very shortly. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 25 March 2008

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:30:00 GMT

CAA Mode S Transponder Consultation Tom Hardie, the BHPA's Airspace Officer, has asked us to pass on the following message from Pete Stratten, the BGA's Chief Executive. "The recent mode S meeting with CAA at Turweston was attended by 35 air sport pilots. Although the questions from the floor made some impact, the low attendance will not have gone unnoticed by CAA. It is very clear that feedback to CAA on the current mode S proposals is extremely important – even the DAP team agree with that point. <address> </address> <address> With this in mind, please can I ask you to circulate the following text to your members? The meetings described below are open to all, and those from air sport who attended a meeting at Lasham in 2006 will recall the significant and effective impact that can be made with the regulator when people are willing to stand up and be counted.</address> <address> </address> <address> </address> <address> Mode S Meetings - 2008</address> <address> BGA clubs are hosting a number of open meetings with the CAA to hear about the current Mode S consultation process. ALL ARE WELCOME. The meetings (all 7pm) will be at:</address> <ul> <li> <address>Lasham Friday 4th April</address> </li> <li> <address>Pocklington (Wolds GC) Friday 11th April</address> </li> </ul> <address>Directions to all clubs is available on the BGA web site at: <a href="http://www.gliding.co.uk/findaclub/clubdirectory.htm">www.gliding.co.uk/findaclub/clubdirectory.htm</a> These meetings are a great opportunity for members to engage with the rulemakers and further clarify our airspace needs. We will shortly be providing guidance on how to respond to the consultation, but these meetings will help you to develop your own personal view on how to respond. We are calling on all glider pilots to make a response as was done to such great effect during the first round of consultation and, as such, the BGA urges ALL pilots to try to attend one of the meetings. More information on the consultation process is on the BGA web site at: <a href="http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/airspace/modes2008.htm">www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/airspace/modes2008.htm</a></address> <address> </address> <address>Thanks</address> <address> Pete Stratten</address> <address> Chief Executive</address> <address> </address> <address> British Gliding Association"</address> Whilst the current proposals are less draconian than those made last year, the BHPA believes they still represent a significant threat to our sport. It is therefore vital that individual hang glider and paraglider pilots make their views known. If they don't, officialdom will simply assume that there is little resistance and push these changes through. We would therefore like to encourage any Club members living in the Hampshire area to make every effort to attend the Lasham meeting on Friday 4th April to make sure the CAA hears our voice and takes account of our concerns. Further background to the Mode S Transponder Consultation is available on the BHPA web site. The most recent information is listed first: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/news/news1.php">www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/news/news1.php</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/news/notices/transponders2006.php">www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/news/notices/transponders2006.php</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/news/notices/transponder.php">www.bhpa.co.uk/bhpa/news/notices/transponder.php</a></li> </ul> <hr width="100%" size="2" /> Updated SE Wales Coach List As a result of the introduction of a new BHPA coach revalidation scheme (see below), all coach rated Club members will in future need a statement of support from the Club's Safety and Coaching Officer when they renew their BHPA membership. To ensure that we have the necessary information to comply with this requirement we recently wrote to all coach rated Club members and asked them to indicate whether they are willing and able to provide coaching on SE Wales sites. The availability of good quality coaching on SE Wales sites is essential for the long term health of our sport and our Club, and we are extemely grateful to those who have replied to say that they are happy to help in this way. Our coaching scheme will of course only be effective if we can put those seeking coaching in touch with those willing to provide it. An updated Club coach list  has therefore been published in the members area of this web site: <a href="http://www.sewhgpgc.co.uk/members/private/coaches.php ">www.sewhgpgc.co.uk/members/private/coaches.php </a> To assist members to choose the most appropriate coach for their particular needs, this list includes the ratings, email address, and partial postcode (eg CF64) of each participating coach. We hope that you make full use of the coaching opportunities available within the Club, but do ask that you remember that our coaches are all unpaid volunteers who simply want to put something back into the sport they love. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> The Big Ask Friends of the Earth, Abergavenny, are part of an awareness day "The Big Ask" . This has been organized to put pressure on the government to include aviation and shipping in the climate change bill.  Local MPs and politicians have been invited, and FOE have asked for support from the Club, Particularly any members who can either show up in Castle meadows, at around 10 am on the 5th April or better still fly down (if the weather allows). "Monmouth MP David Davies will be there, together with FoE group members with placards, and a specially designed mask of Gordon Brown. The key message for this event is to highlight the need to include aviation emissions in the Climate Change Bill. This is currently a glaring omission and only sustained pressure will make the Government capitulate.  Sustained pressure has been spectacularly successful - there would be no Climate Change Bill at all without FoE pressure over several years and FoE briefing papers are now circulating among MPs and are being discussed seriously. <div> <address>We are working with the Abergavenny Ladies' Walking group and the Abergavenny Cycle Group who will be there wearing  tabards with appropriate messages. Weather and wind permitting, member Steve Millson  will be para-gliding in from the Blorenge at 10.30am</address> </div> <div> <address> </address> </div> <address>After the photo opportunity, at around 10.45am walkers and cyclists will set off walking  and cycling respectively and everyone else will move to Red Square in the town Centre where we will have a stall for members of the public to sign postcards.</address> <div> <address> </address> </div> <div> <address>The local papers have been briefed and will be there to record and photograph the events and we hope for a good write-up.  Both Monmouth and Chepstow FoE are actively involved and are supporting us."</address> <address> </address> <address>Paul Dancey</address> <hr width="100%" size="2" /> </div>

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 12 March 2008

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Dragonfly The latest bumper issue of Dragonfly is now available for download on the <a href="https://www.cymnet.co.uk/%7Esewhgpgc/members/private/dragonfly.php">Dragonfly Online Page</a> located in the members area of the Club's web site. The latest issue features thirty six pages full colour pages with interactive links, Jason's biggest issue to date, and one the the largest ever. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> Reserve Parachute Re-pack Steve Millson and Chris White will be overseeing a Club Parachute Re-pack on Thursday 20th March at 6pm at <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=NP7+5UD&ie=UTF8&ll=51.822835,-3.021584&spn=0%20.012334,0.020642&z=15&iwloc=addr&om=0">Our Ladye & St. Michael’s </a>10, Pen-y-pound, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5UD. Further details can be found on page 4 of the latest issue of Dragonfly. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> BHPA Membership Fees The BHPA have just announced that their membership fees are going up this year. "After eight years, during which careful financial control prevented the need for an increase in subscriptions, it has finally become necessary to raise BHPA subscriptions. In reality the need has not arisen through rising costs, those have mostly remained well under control. This year we will experience two significant changes to our income stream. The first is the effect of the 2012 Olympics and the removal of UK Sport funding for non-olympic sports. In 2008 our grant has halved and we anticipate that it will disappear totally in 2009. The second change is that many years ago, when our insurance history was pretty poor, we entered into a profit sharing agreement with our underwriters. At the time there was no profit nor any prospect of any profit, only substantial losses for the underwriter. However, in the last two years, underwriters have finally seen modest profits from our business and our broker has invoked the long forgotten profit sharing deal. Unsurprisingly, having only just moved into profit and seen a substantial portion of that having to be returned to us, at the insurance renewal this year, underwriters declined to continue with the profit sharing arrangement. Changes in the law had also made the arrangement questionable. The results of these changes mean that it has become necessary to raise subscriptions to the levels set out below. The new fees will take effect on 1st April 2008." So from the 1st April 2008 BHPA Full Flying Membership will cost £84.00 per annum. This will be reduced by £7.00 if you hold a Pilot or Advanced Pilot rating. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 16 February 2008

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Coach Revalidation The BHPA has announced that it is introducing a coach revalidation scheme. This is being introduced to help ensure that all BHPA Club Coaches and Senior Coaches are current and active. This should minimise the chance of an accident occurring during a coaching session, and also minimise the legal exposure of any coach if the worst did come to the worst. In future, all SE Wales Club Coaches and Senior Coaches will need to obtain a declaration of support signed by the Club‘s Safety and Coaching Officer when renewing their BHPA membership. The BHPA are also recommending that coaches should re-attend a BHPA Coach Course at least once every five years to ensure that they are fully up-to-date with current thinking. In view of these changes, the BHPA membership form for coaches will in future include a box that can be ticked if a coach no longer wishes to hold a BHPA Coach Licence. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> CAA Mode S Transponder Phase 2 Consultation - January 2008 On 31st January 2008 the CAA published the phase 2 consultation documents for their latest proposals on the compulsory carriage of transponders. This is available at <a href="http://www.caa.co.uk">www.caa.co.uk</a> - click on the "Mode S" menu item, and follow the links. It should be noted that the proposals are less draconian than last year‘s proposal of all aircraft in all airspace. However the BHPA believes that they still represent a significant risk to both our activities and General Aviation as a whole. Pending a full review of the CAA‘s documents the current BHPA position is that they do not believe that the transponder carriage proposed provides the CAA‘s stated safety improvements on a reasonable cost v benefit basis. The BHPA team of Mark Turner, Phil Jones and Tom Hardie will carry out an assessment of the CAA‘s documentation and provide BHPA members with their thoughts in sufficient time for them to respond by the consultation close of 17:00 on 31st May 2008. Further updates will be posted to the <a href="http://www.bhpa.co.uk">BHPA web site</a> as and when they become available. This is YOUR airspace use that is being discussed, and if you don‘t seek to protect it officialdom takes the view that by silence you are indicating that you are happy to accept their proposals. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 3 December 2007

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Club Membership Renewals I'm afraid I had an unscheduled three week stay in hospital last month, and am shortly due for a return, hopefully shorter, stay. This has inevitably resulted in a backlog of membership applications and renewals awaiting processing. I'm hoping to clear some or all of these this week, and also send out the latest batch of renewal notices and reminders for November and December. Please continue to renew your Club membership in the usual way, and rest assured they are in the pipeline, and will be dealt with as soon as I am able. Once again my apologies for the current delays. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> Dragonfly Online The latest issue of Dragonfly (November 07) is now available for download on the Dragonfly page in the Club Members Area of the web site. One of the great advantages of producing an electronic version is that we are able to publish the magazine in Full Colour, which I think you will agree Jason has really used to best advantage. Each time a new edition of Dragonfly is published and uploaded to the web site, this mailing list will be used to let you know. So you should never miss an issue. We also intend to slowly build up an archive of past editions, so new members can catch up with what's been going on. We hope you enjoy the latest issue of Dragonfly. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 18 October 2007

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:30:00 GMT

RAC Wales Rally - Airspace Restrictions Due to the number of helicopters in use various areas of Restricted Airspace will be established during this year's RAC Wales Rally. Exact details are not known at present, the following are therefore only approximate and NOTAMs will need to be checked each day: November 30 - 2 December 2007 Swansea Service Area N51 37.1 W003 55.2 circle radius 1.5nm sunrise - sunset Friday November 30 2007 Port Talbot, Resolfen & Rheola N51 40.6 W003 41.5 circle radius 6.0nm sunrise - sunset Saturday December 1 2007 Crychan, Epynt & Halfway N52 02.0 W003 35.5 circle radius 5.0nm sunrise - sunset Sunday December 2 2007 Brechfa & Trawscoed N51 58.7 W004 08.7 circle radius 4.5nm sunrise - 15.00 UTC Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 14 October 2007

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:20:00 GMT

Club Coaching Course Just a reminder that the Club will be hosting a BHPA Club Coaching Course on the 17 & 18 November in SE Wales. This classroom based weekend course is open to any pilot with a minimum rating of Club Pilot plus ten hours. If you're interested in becoming a coach and putting something back into the sport, please contact Steve Millson for further details: <a href="mailto:steve@paraglide.co.uk" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated">steve@paraglide.co.uk</a> <hr width="100%" size="2" /> XC League Competition The SE Wales XC League competition for 2007 closes on the 31st October. Please make sure you enter all your XC flights for 2007 by the 14th November. <hr width="100%" size="2" /> Membership Renewals Just a reminder that you can always avoid the delays resulting from the Postal Strikes by renewing online. Just visit the "members only" area of the web site and click on the membership renewal link. If you're not sure when you are due to renew, you'll find the details on the back of your Club Membership card. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 8 October 2007

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Dragonfly Jason Andrews is currently exploring alternative ways of distributing future copies of Dragonfly, and before making any changes is looking for some feedback from Club members. One idea being considered is to publish Dragonfly as a pdf file that can be downloaded from the members area of the website. The idea being that when a new issue is uploaded members would be informed via this mailing list that a new issue was available for download. This approach would enable us to go back to publishing the magazine in full colour. Siince Jim Hay's departure to Spain printing in colour is I'm afraid simply too expensive, and full colour really does make all the difference to flying articles. It would also cut down on the lead time of each issue making it easier to include last minute information, and of course cut out some of the more labour intensive work currently undertaken by the editor. But first we need to try to gauge is how many members would be happy to receive their Club mag this way. So please get in touch with Jason to let him know what you think. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 21 July 2007

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Invite to Mere Bash The Avon Club have invited all our members to the Mere Bash on  1/9/07 by which time summer might have arrived.  From my previous  attendance around four years a go it was a good do, although as to the  hangover after drinking the "Pigs Swill", it was the name of one of the the  Beers not  a forfeit honest!  They have therefore been asked if  we can circulate the following information: Dear  all, The Avon Club would like to invite you to our annual Mere Bash party  in a field!  With no Blorenge, Homegrown or Wessex bash this year, we’re  pulling out all the stops to have THE party of the summer. It’s a pretty  relaxed affair, big marquee, live music to jump around to, ludicrously cheap  beer, bouncy castle for the kids, BBQ, belly dancing, and bags of flying of  course.  There’s even a trophy for the furthest flight of the day,  handicapped to include hangies and comp wings. The event kicks off on  Saturday 1st September, any time from midday.  Get your tent up in time for  the BBQ, the band kick off around 9:00 and play till midnight, and then the  party goes on till the wee small hours around the campfire or whoever’s taking  house DJ duties. Tickets for all this fun are only  £10 in advance,  £15 on  the door.   You can’t ask for more than that, and so all we ask is  that you do send us a cheque in advance so we can pay for the beer, band and of  course porta-loos! To get your tickets, please drop me an email, and send  a cheque to: Richard Zaltzman – Avon HGPG 36 Beauchamp  Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8LQ See you there, any questions,  just ask. All the best Richard. <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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The British Pub Paragliding Challenge 7.30pm Sat 14th July 2007

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:20:00 GMT

<div lang="x-western" class="moz-text-html"> <div> <div> Hi Everyone, I'm organizing an evening out in Abergavenny for you paragliding guys and girls, where you can get together and tell tall tales about your paragliding adventures.We will be meeting at the Station Hotel, <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">37 Brecon Road</st1:address></st1:street>, Pontypool, NP4 5UH at 7:30pm on Saturday 14th July.   So if your new to the sport, or you being flying for years, and fancy a drink, or just a good chat come along and join us.   Mark Pearson Events Organizer SEWHG&PGC <hr width="100%" size="2" /> </div> </div> </div>

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 30 May 2007

Wed, 30 May 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Club Membership Subscription Rates The past few years have seen rising costs and falling membership slowly erode our annual operating surplus. Last years Blorenge Party was a popular event, and was enjoyed by everyone who attended. But a less than ideal weather forecast, and competition from the "home Grown Festival", meant that the 2006 Blorenge Party made a small loss. Whilst there are early signs that Club membership numbers are starting to creep back up, the Club Committee has reluctantly decided that a small increase in Club subscription rates is needed now to put Club finances back on track. From the 1st July 2007 Club subscription rates will therefore be: <ul> <li> Full Member: £22.00 per annum </li> <li> Additional Member (living at same address): £17.00 per annum </li> </ul> Please note that all membership subscriptions processed after the 30th June 2007 will be at the new rates. If your Club membership expires in May or June 2007, and you'd like to miss this increase, please ensure that: <ul> <li> Online renewals are completed by the 30th June. </li> <li> Postal renewals are posted by the 23 June. </li> </ul> It's been a very long time since we last put up our subscription rates. We hope that you will understand why we felt this modest increase was necessary at the present time, and will continue to support the South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club. Paul Dancey Chairman <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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SEWHGPGC e-Newsletter - 22 May 2007

Tue, 22 May 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Welcome Welcome to our very first e-Newsletter. We hope that these mailings will prove a popular way of keeping members up to date with Club events, competitions and late breaking sites news. The exact format of our e-newsletter has yet to be decided, but this initial mailing provides us with an opportunity to test the system and remind everyone that the Club's AGM is taking place this weekend. Club AGM & Prize Giving This will again be held at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, on Saturday 26 May starting at 7.30pm. As well as all the "formal" company business, there will be an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have. Mark Pearson and Steve Millson will also be on hand to discuss the idea of re-introducing regular Club Meetings, and are naturally keen to hear what format you think these should take. If you can't get to the AGM, but would still like to contribute to the discussion about regular Club nights, please contact: <a href="mailto:steve@paraglide.co.uk">Steve Millson</a> The AGM will conclude with the presentation of Club Trophies to last year's competition winners. This is your opportunity to have you say in how the Club develops over the next 12 months, so do try to come along if you can. Paul Dancey <hr width="100%" size="2" />

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