Charmouth

[pchristy]

Apologies for not getting back sooner - I had to go back up to Chalfont for a funeral, and only got back home late last night!

The current state of play: Newlands have agreed to put the date when you need to pay for your bookings back by a week, to next Friday. The date for Charmouth remains the same, only the deadline for paying for your rooms has been extended. This is in case anyone wants to pull out when I've had a chance to look at the field.

Newlands have confirmed that up to 450 size machines can be flown in the top field on site. Please don't abuse this by trying to fly anything bigger, as we had problems a couple of years back and it took a while to get this concession back! Newlands also think they know of a hall that might be available for indoor use, and are investigating on our behalf. We should know more in a few days.

The weather down here in Devon has been pretty foul for the last couple of days - we had a whole months worth of rain in a few hours, and even main roads were closed around here! The forecast for tomorrow (Sunday) is better. If that proves to be the case, I'll go up and have a look at the field tomorrow. I'm expecting it to be a swamp, but we'll see. That should give those who wish to bail out the opportunity to do so, but I know a lot will go anyway for the "social" and indoor, if we can sort it.

More news as and when I get it!

[electricsceadu]

thank you for all your hard work pete
lets hope the weather is kind to us and brightens up to allow a full event to carry on

[pchristy]

I went up to the field today, and as expected, its VERY soggy! I managed to get into the adjacent field (the one with the hard standing that we've used occasionally), but there was no way I was taking the car off the path. The ground is like a bog! Even 4WDs would struggle in that!

There is a large puddle between the road and the gate of the main field, and another just inside. Even with our matting, by the time the burger van had gone in, I doubt if anything else would get through. Even walking up the hill from the gate, where its normally a lot firmer, was an effort, as the ground is squelching soft! There is no way it will be dry in time. Indeed, its going to take a long, hot summer to dry it in time for autumn!

In the pictures, it doesn't look too bad. Its when you try and walk on it, you realise just how soft it is!







Looks like its going to be indoor and 450s or nothing, this time!

Sorry, folks, but this is beyond our control! I'll post again when the committee has made a decision, and when we have some more news.

[ian694]

Hi Everybody,

I'm afraid it's not good news regarding the Charmouth field.

Quote:

"I went up to have a look at the field today. As I drove up, it didn't look to bad, but the water running all over the approach roads should have warned me!

I parked in the adjacent field with the hard standing that we sometimes use. Although the hard standing was OK, as soon as you move off it, the ground underneath is VERY squidgy. There is no way an ordinary car could drive on it without getting stuck.

The main field had a big puddle between the road and the gate, and another just inside the gate. Even 50 yards uphill from the entrance, where its usually firmer, it was still too soft to risk driving on. I would imagine that even with our mat, by the time the burger van had churned all the mud up, entry would be all but impossible.

Its going to take a long, hot summer to dry it out!"

Therefore we have no choice but to cancel flying at the main field for the March event.

Newlands have pushed back room payment until this Friday for you to decide whether you still want to come down or not.

As was mentioned previously the top field at Newlands will still be open for 450 flying and we're actively looking for a sports hall to do some indoor flying.

A number of us are going whatever happens to enjoy the social side and catch up.

Please spread this as far and as wide as you can please to let as many people know as possible.



Many Thanks

The AHA

[waveydavey]

Rumour has it that a new field has been secured for the flyin so it's all systems go

[pchristy]

This is indeed correct. I went up and had a look at the "new" field at the week-end. Apparently negotiations with the farmer have been successful, so watch out for an imminent formal announcement!

[Rob Barnes]

ooooh superb Im watching the thread !

[MarkG_R1]

Great news!

[pchristy]

From the AHA Chairman:

"The AHA are pleased to announce they have secured a new field for the Spring Charmouth fly-in and it is therefore all systems go once again!!

More details to follow soon.."

The field is closer to Newlands than our usual field, but not as big. It should be plenty big enough for the reduced number we're expecting, though. There is a hard-standing track all along the top of the field, so there shouldn't be any difficulty getting in and out. We're hoping to persuade the farmer to cut some of the scrub by the hedge back so that cars can park parallel to the hedge, and still leave room for vehicles to pass on the track without having to venture on to the grass. However, it is going to cost us more than the usual field. There will also be some restrictions on flying at one end of the field due to the presence of some power-lines. Probably have to make that end hovering only.

But at least we have a field. So start getting your model prepared!



More details to follow as the committee sorts things out!

[Chris Boughton]

Any pic of the new site?

[pchristy]

Pics as requested! here's the entrance to the field:



And here's the view over the gate into the field:



This is the gate at the other end of the field, which I gather we will be able to use as well, so no-one should need to turn around!



And here is looking back along the track to the entrance where my car was parked:



The farmer is going to cut the brush back between the track and the embankment, and the hard track is wider than it looks in this picture. The field slopes down to the right from this point-of-view, and it could be windy as the slope is facing into the prevailing westerlies!

This is back at the original entrance again. Although it look boggy, there is actually hard surface under a thin layer of water and mud, so I don't think anyone will have any problems there, as long as they drive sensibly!



I think I still prefer our usual field when the weather is OK and the entrance is dry, but this will certainly do to allow the event to take place! Over the years, Charmouth has had far worse fields, and this one isn't bad at all.

Cheers,

[Alex Hawtin]

Screw the Field just bring the car and I'll just look at that all day .

To be honest I really like the look of that field doesn't look small at all.

[simm0]

So its back on.....fantastic news

[Nick B]

Good work Pete...have you got a google map link please

[Rob Barnes]

Looks superb, lets hope the weather holds out !