December 1997-January 1998
October-November 1997
Peter Redshaw achieved another club first in July by flying the first 500km from Walney. On a marginal day, it took almost eight hours to give an average of 69kph around his task of Walney-Staindrop-Worksop-Helmsley-Walney. A magnificent achievement.
Janet Holden has gone solo and Mark Johnson has completed his Bronze badge. Chris Bell joined the club and quickly re-soloed having been solo a number of years ago. Alan Dennis completed his Assistant Instructor Rating.
A. D.
August-September 1997
Our club outing to Hus Bos in June was hugely enjoyed by everyone, five out of six of the club gliders went and every private glider was there at some point. Four silver distances were achieved by David Bull, Martin Lewis, Lyn Martindale and Andrew Tebay. Special congratulations to Lyn for being the clubs first lady silver ‘C’.
A. D.
June-July 1997
March was another notable soaring month with Neil Braithwaite taking the honours for the highest climb of the month to 16,500 feet, with Rod Murfitt not far behind. There was also plenty of ridge soaring to be had with three Silver Durations being achieved on Easter Sunday, congratulations to Lyn Martindale, Rip Pearson and Jim Storer. Jim’s dad, Phil, also recently went solo.
The saga of the IS28 finally draws to a close with it returning to the air after 18 months. Special thanks are due to Bob Foote and John Martindale for their efforts in getting the repairs done, but also to Graham Welch, Dave Bull, John Burdett and all of the others who helped out in the later stages.
A. D.
April-May 1997
The fantastic weather over Christmas meant that this year was our busiest December ever. Everyone was soaring in wave over the sometimes snow-covered Lake District with John Martindale reaching the highest at over 16,000 feet. Visitors from the Long Mynd, Portmoak and Aston Down all had good flights, as did one Air Experience visitor who went to over 8,000 feet. Lyn Martindale and Keith Whitworth both gained silver heights.
Martin Lewis recently completed his silver duration and Fred Barker and Peter Seddon have both gone solo.
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February-March 1997
Our recent annual dinner/prize giving was one of the best ever. Trophies went to: John Martindale - Club Ladder and Best gain of height. Roger Copley - Best Cross Country; Stella Colcombe and Brenda Mason (the friendly air traffic controllers) - Services to the club; Lyn Martindale - Best Progress; Graham Welch - Best flight by non-silver; Roy Jones - Wooden Spoon.
In October a number of members went to Portmoak and although the weather was relatively unkind, everyone had some memorable flying with Graham Welch achieving Gold Height.
A. D.