October 2008

Hope you all had a good summer, albeit a very wet one. The first two weeks of May was a promising start with glorious weather. I had a fabulous week in the Outer Hebrides. Unfortunately the rest of the summer wasn’t too good with just the odd good weekend.

The weather was kind to us for the Social Event on 29^th June at the Club Hut on the Allenheads field. Some members turned up for a drink, a bite to eat and a chat. A good time was had by all and the committee members took the opportunity to carry out a few jobs on the field whilst we were there. Thanks to the committee for their help with this event.

For the coming season the membership fees will be agreed at the AGM. Given the current pressure on everyone from price increases and other financial uncertainties, we’re very reluctant to increase our fees but we do need more money to keep the tows running and cover significant costs like insurance. There has been a proposal to set a lower membership fee but charge a small amount for a day’s use of the tows – perhaps £5.00 a day for a single person, £10.00 for a family. Options for fees will be agreed at the AGM, so if you have any views or ideas, please come along – see below for details of the date, time & free buffet!

Whatever we decide at the AGM, don’t forget that membership also entitles you to 10% discount on ski wear and equipment at the following outlets when you produce your membership card - a single purchase can more than offset the cost of membership.

Nevis Sport, 22 Saville Row, Newcastle upon Tyne
LD Mountain Centre, 34 Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

We are continuing the text and email service we launched last year to inform members when there is snow at Allenheads and the tows are running. This is a free service in addition to the answer machine as in previous years. If you didn’t take this up last year but would like to try it this season, email snow@ski-allenheads.co.uk or request it on your application form with your mobile number or email address.

TOWS UP DAY

The date for putting the tows up this year is Sunday 9 November. Please make a note in your diary. As always, we rely on members to help starting about 10 am.

Remember no tows, no skiing.

46^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER

Enclosed with this newsletter is Notice of the AGM which is now in October instead of April as in previous years. It was agreed to move the AGM to the autumn just before the ski season starts. The date is 22 October and the AGM will be held in the function room upstairs at the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle. The AGM starts at 7.30 pm.

After the AGM there will be a buffet which is being provided courtesy of a bequest from Ray Buckle, a past member of the club. Invitations for the buffet have been sent to Ray’s ex-skiing friends and all members, present, past and honorary are welcome to come along.

For those who are unfamiliar with Newcastle City Centre, the Bridge Hotel is on the Newcastle side of the High Level Bridge, just opposite the Keep. There are car parking spaces in Castle Square outside the pub and more on road parking in the streets nearby. The Bridge Hotel is about 5 minutes walking from Central Station Metro Station if you don’t want to drive. The Bridge Hotel is a good traditional pub with some excellent real ale.

As it has been a while since the last AGM, so I would like to see as many members as possible as it is intended to be a social evening after the AGM.

CLUB RULES AND SKIERS CODE

We have had very few accidents at Allenheads but we need to be careful to keep it that way. We have a risk assessment for the field and carry out a number of checks to make sure everyone is as safe as possible. However, we all need to be careful so, as a reminder to good practice, there is a copy of the skier’s code at the end of this newsletter. The application form also includes a disclaimer – please sign the form to confirm that you’ve read it.

Safe skiing and boarding,

Alex Russell

Chairman

The FIS Code of Conduct for Skiers and Snowboarders

1. RESPECT FOR OTHERS - A skier must behave in such a way that he/she does not endanger or prejudice others.

2. CONTROL OF SPEED AND SKIING - A skier must ski in control. He/she must adapt his/her speed and manner of skiing to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.

3. CHOICE OF ROUTE - A skier coming from behind must choose his route in such a way that he/she does not endanger skiers ahead.

4. OVERTAKING - A skier may overtake another skier above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he/she leaves enough space for the overtaken skier to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.

5. ENTERING AND STARTING - A skier entering a marked run or starting after stopping must look up and down the run to make sure that he/she can do so without endangering himself/herself or others.

6. STOPPING ON THE PISTE - Unless absolutely necessary, a skier must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

7. CLIMBING AND DESCENDING ON FOOT - Whether climbing or descending on foot a skier must keep to the side of the piste.

8. RESPECT FOR SIGNS AND MARKINGS - A skier must respect all signs and markings.

9. ASSISTANCE - At accidents, every skier is duty bound to assist.

10. IDENTIFICATION - Every skier and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.