some thoughts on the poor turnout and lack of support

[gary stenhouse]

Well I must say there was a very disappointing turn out at last night’s club meeting with only 9-10 members and 2 none members. Given that I fort hard to get the venue back to a Wednesday night at a great room with good bar meals I ask myself why.
Any how we had a great talk from Rod Alias wendywind blows, and some of the new features could benefit are club and all of the free flying community. However this is a paid service of £46.00 per year or £60.00 for 2 years, so given the cost of fuel and wasted journeys a very little price to pay.
However I could not stop thinking that if we can only get 11 members to a meeting then how will he ever get enough to subscribe in order for it to be viable? Though there could be away to help this along as I seemed to of become the club wind dummy driving all over doing the research to find the right site and posting or giving my number out so others can ring.
So the next time you look at the website to find where to fly and then ring, ask yourself do I deserve this information as I am not willing to support the club, so why should I be given this information?

Anyhow enough the rant as I have work to be done, though think hard as club meetings will become a thing of the past?

Cheers Gary

[bill-scott]

yes great talk pity about the poor turnout and the new features on wendy could be a great help in saving fuel on wasted journeys what was that number again gary to join the group could you text it to me please

[Paul Smith]

Well Gary, not sure how many pilots you expected to turn up but in my opinion 12 seems quite good considering we don't really have a great deal of active pilots. I for one have scaled my flying right down and I could name a few more who have done the same or just given up. Nhpc is a great club for the crack and a bit banter but I can't remember the last time I actually flew a nhpc site apart from x fell. I really do admire your enthusiasm but even without the club you would still be driving around being the wind dummy for whoever would listen! :)

[gary stenhouse]

i have always been more happy if we are going to have small numbers then why not just a monthly meet up. rather than a formal meeting, as i would say that most who attend are would be happy with the nice barmeal and a bit crack on and catch up.

i must say there has been a big drop in numbers aswell as enthusiasum with club members, as i guess the sport has changed so much in the last 6 years.

when i joined 6 years ago most people were happy with a fly around the ridge, now it seems everything is about how far you can fly.

maybe it is a trend or just a phase but when i think i joined the club i would regulaly have 8 in the van on the quest for adventure, and are only goal was to fly, nothing else. cross country sometimes happend, but it was not are goal.

not to worry we shall soldier on and lets hope we get some more young blood in the club, though i guess the lust for bigger things will see more defectiong to the dales and lakes.

well it was good while it lasted but i guess things move on and lets see if we can get a bit more spirit on the hill where ever that may be.

next meeting should just be a meet up at the corner house and a meal and a chat, unless something comes up inbetween.

cheers gary

[gary stenhouse]

happy times from october 2006

[gary stenhouse]

glencoe 2007

[John Wallis]

Great photos Gary. Funny you should mention just meeting up and having a bite to eat! That's exactly what The Wolfs Maltbys Neil Ali G and Kate and I did on Tuesday at the Lion and Lamb and we had a great night chating about flying even if 1/2 of us don't (at the moment)

It's a pity the spirit seems to be dropping but it's come and gone for many years I'm sure it will come back

JW

[Chris L]

Hey Gary I'm still as enthusiastic as ever, but Wednesday was a potentially cracking day and I know a few were out trying to fly all over the place. By the time I got in I was to knackered to make it along. I also forgot about the talk that was on, there weren't any reminders posted from what I could see.
I've said in my earlier posts it definitely isn't all about XC, if you can get it then great but its about the adventure & fun of flying.
How about just having some impromptu comps when a few turn up at the same site, everyone chucks in a couple of quid and a task is agreed and off we go. Doesn't have to be based on distance could be accuracy or height gain or triangles etc I think this may get a few more out by adding a bit of fun to the day. So how about it

[Kay]

Great idea Chris
Just to explain. You prob won't see too much of myself on the hill prior to August. But not thro lack of interest. I've this terrible weakness I have to admit to ..... Very vulnerable after a glass of Red !!! I keep entering various events. And this year it's Triathlons !!! Unfortunately for Paul I keep entering him to !! But he has now in no uncertain terms told me to '' Stop Entering Me For F###ing Challenges' point taken
So for the next 3 months we maybe a bit scarse but are really looking forward to some Great Flying & Great Socialing. Keep eyes peeled on forecasts and maybe a couple of camping weekends Ousby, The Lakes or Model
See you soon K x

[Chris L]

Good point Kay and I've been in the same boat I keep on being influenced by Kay and the Lone Ranger Jim to to do other challenges so I've not been getting out as much and I've got a big fell run to train for at the end of July so stop trying to get me out paragliding Gary I need to train for fell running. Arghhhh If I don't get round its all down to you. Stop enticing me out paragliding Its just not on! I want to but I shouldn't

[ron freeman]

As far as Northumbria Airsports is concerned the spirt of flying and the sport.. is very much alive and well ! with plenty of HG/PG students working towards their club pilot ticket

There actually is a small core of club flyers who regularly fly Northumberland club sites. We have a great time & brilliant crack so hopefully the above students will come and join us.

Happy safe flying.


p.s. Kay as a matter of interst how many paid up members does the club currently have ?

[Fingers]

Ron it is good news that your getting plenty business and the keenness of others to fly is still very much alive and kicking.

Most of my fondness memories of flying are from the unsurpassable beauty of the Northumberland hills. Apparently to have a good day out in the NHPC now involves the term "long KM", this might be true of the Buttons and the Hamillton's of the world who risk there lives for many millions of pounds. Risk n reward.

I recall a fecking tremendous day was 10+ people bumbling about "flying" oh yes, look Mum I am flying, no strings like. Followed by ALL 10+ in the pub having a bloody darn good laff 'n' carry on.

Sounds like the NHPC is in desperate need of of some very serious silliness and bringing back down to earth.

[colin keightley]

Not all of us are out for the KM my best flying is landing in the same place I took off but the nut umber and really doesn't give me the height I need besides where you fly and what you fly for has absolutely nothing to do with numbers at the meetings