March 2006

Well, it’s not been an entirely “green” winter but the snow which did fall wasn’t inclined to stay, washing out the New Year weekend after some excellent days following Christmas, and only thin cover in early March. You have to wonder why the snow fell down the east and west coasts but never down the middle where we wanted it. Nevertheless many people not only came back but also joined us for the first time, so I’m confident the Club is still needed, with membership again growing to something over 200. The club is run for its members and their continued support is vital.

Guy Javens, who took over from Bill Weatherspoon in enthusiastically co-ordinating the work on the Field, has had to undergo sudden and major surgery and has consequently had to withdraw from all activities for the time being. We wish him a full and speedy recovery and hope he will feel able to resume an active life before too long.

Those of you who have turned up on the Tow days will remember the man with the scythe, Rick Bareham, who sadly died in December after a long and determined fight against cancer, to which he never gave in in spirit. Rick was one of the small group who pioneered skiing in the north east fifty years ago and was active in promoting it all his life, including spells as chairman of the club. He is greatly missed.

DIARY DATES

Sunday April 2. Tows come down. Please meet at 10.30.

Wednesday April 26. AGM. 7.45 for 8.00pm, at the Northumbrian Piper.

We meet in the upstairs bar. The Northumbrian Piper is off Kingston Park Road via Belsay Gardens, just east of the A.1 interchange with Kingston Park Road

Social evening and AGM. Wednesday 26 April

Yes, AGMs can be a bit of a bore but they are an absolute requirement for the club to function. We need at least ten people there (not too much to ask?) otherwise we have to start all over again till we get it right. This year I promise we’ll try to keep it short and put the emphasis on a social evening. There will be nibbles, a short (not too difficult) quiz, which Alex is preparing, and a small prize - to be announced after the AGM. We intend that it will be mainly an opportunity to socialise but please come early so we know we have a quorum.

Elections

Frank Thomson and Tom Pattison who have earned our thanks for serving the club in office for several years as, variously, chairman, keeper of the Snow Report line, treasurer and committee members, now wish to stand down. Having been chairman (for the second time) for the last six years I also wish to step down but am willing to stay on the committee for one more year if elected.

Mike Horrocks, our hard-working membership secretary and website designer, has agreed to be proposed for the Chairmanship. Our Vice Chairman Alex, Secretary Carolyn and Treasurer Joanna have another year in office.

The AGM therefore needs to elect a new chairman and three committee members. Nominations to the committee would be especially welcome from new members who would like to come forward to help run the club. Volunteers to join the field team who run and maintain the tows are also always welcome.

There is also one small piece of business, in that the Uphill Ski Club, which is named in the Constitution as a beneficiary if the club winds up, has changed its name to Disability Snowsport UK. The constitution needs to recognise this change to avoid confusion later.

Boots and skis

The response to the request for boots and skis has been tremendous. We now have skis including size 160 and below for use on the field and paired sets of children’s boots and skis. Also we can now offer second-hand boots and skis obtained from Ridley Hall for sale, £10 for boots, £20 for skis, £25 for a set. The best time to see them would be on the Tows Down day, April 2^nd.

Discounts

I can pass on few more discount offers which may be of interest, courtesy of Snowsport England, to which we are now affiliated.

Cotswold Outdoor: 15% off. Buy on line at www.cotswoldoutdoor.com, quoting account number S2169.Or see list of stores (none local)

Elan. Discounts available on skis and snowboards from www.gbrsports.co.uk. Enter the number 2826771255 in the discount code box during the purchasing process and the price is automatically reduced by 15%

Holidays. Thomson Ski and Crystal Holidays offer 5% off all ski holidays to members of Snowsport England. No note of a code but I presume it will be enough to tell them you are a member of an affiliated club (you may need your card in proof).

Finally….

New pictures have been added to the website www.ski-allenheads.co.uk, which is always worth a look.

My thanks to the whole committee for their hard work on your behalf, and for your support. We hope to see you all on the 26^th April.

Bev Bagnall,

Chairman.

Email bev@bagnall155.freeserve.co.uk. Tel. 0191 284 3638