Shropshire Indoor Modellers 2024-25

John Minchell advises:

Had somewhat of a battle this summer which is why this email did not go out earlier.  Not particularly good news either.

By the middle of July all was agreed for the new Shawbury indoor season  – the dates, the licence countersigned by the secretary of state for defence, Dave Phipps BMFA CEO and myself.  Even the price which I managed to persuade them to keep the same as last year.

Then I was told that the RAF had agreed with the British Cycling Committee that they would not be removing the BMX practice track which was built in the hangar on the large area next to the 5 a side football pitch.  Supposed to have been removed by mid September after the Olympics.  See the attached photos below.  A number of hurdles were put in my way like they tried to cancel the licence and “there’s another empty hangar on base you can use”.  Then there wasn’t, 4 days later, so its been a real battle.  You’ve got 4 weeks to sort it out – then 4 days later you need to sort it now!

I pushed for using the 5 a side pitch only to keep the club going and to extend the hours and reduce the price, which has eventually now been accepted.

So as we stand now,  the dates are:

  • October 27th 2024
  • November 24th
  • December 22nd
  • January 26th  2025
  • February 23rd
  • March 23rd
  • April 6th
  • April 20th
  • May 11th

You will note that there are two meetings in April, the second being Easter Sunday.   However you will also note that we now have 9 monthly events, not 6 as we had last winter.

Timing will now be longer, from 11.00am to 4.00pm – so 5 hours each event but we will now have to run slots.  30 mins FF and 30 mins RC, no other way around it, if we want to keep the club going.  But we can monitor this, if it needs changing we can do so as we progress.  Needless to say some of the RC models flown will have to be smaller/lighter/slower than before.

Club membership comes with paying for the whole year up front.  As the licence fee, DIO insurance and first third of the annual rent needs paying before the first meeting.

This will amount to £40.00 for each person (juniors under 18 are free).  A saving of £50 if attending all 9 meetings.  Prefer electronic transfer by end of September / first week October.  Casual flyers will remain at £10.00 per meeting/visit. I expect to lose some members and probably quite a few casual people as well because of the vastly reduced facility we are now offered.  So if the financial viability of the club becomes marginal then I will have to come back and ask for whatever is needed to make up the shortfall but that will only become apparent in the new year. Maybe another £5 or £10 each, don’t know.

Bank details are:- Nat West Bank Account Name,   Shropshire Indoor Modellers,  Account No.  7688 8509,  Sort code.  51.61.06

You MUST put your name as a reference when paying so I can keep track of who has paid and also please email me to let me know that you have paid/cross check bank statements.

There are flyers who are regulars at Shawbury, but who have not yet ticked the “Shropshire Indoor Modellers” club box on the BMFA “Just Go” membership portal.  So I cannot “see” them or have their email address due to GDPR.  If you know anyone, please forward this email to them so they can have the opportunity to join.

There are a number of scale competitors who may want to trim both larger FF and RC competition models prior to the Indoor Scale Nats in April 2025, there may be a couple of ad hoc requests for a few minutes within the slots to trim/test out these models, particularly at the March & two April meetings.  Please be patient and accommodating for these requests.

Finally, I will need one more volunteer (have one already) to also be a key pass holder, so in the event of my being ill or unable to attend, they can be the back up and collect the keys to open up, take the £10 from the casual visitors and ensure lights are off etc. before returning the keys to the gatehouse.   Needless to say it makes sense for them to be fairly local and also to attend most or all of the meetings.

Regards

John Minchell

Shropshire Indoor Modellers

John Minchell <j.minchell@btinternet.com>

John Minchell <j.minchell@btinternet.com>