October 2009

I hope you all had a good summer and are fit and healthy for next year’s skiing and boarding. I’ve noticed over the last couple of weeks the morning chill in the air and the days getting shorter which means Autumn is approaching and Winter is not far away, hopefully lots of snow in the coming months.

We have just had a fantastic season with over 35 days of skiing and boarding between December and March with both ‘A’ and ‘B’ tow running on some days. Welcome to the new members that joined the club during the season. For those who managed to make the most of the snow that fell, I’m sure that you will agree that your membership fee is good value for money so please rejoin before the season starts, preferably before the snow falls.

MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2009/2010

Membership fees remain the same as last season, but this year if you join before 1 December 2009 there is a £5/£10 discount off the full membership fee.

Fees for 2009/2010 are as follows:-

Adult £25 (£20 before 1 December)

Junior £15 (£10 before 1 December)

Family £50 (£40 before 1 December)

To clear up any misunderstanding that may have occurred in previous years, the fees above also apply to residents of Allenheads and surrounding areas. Because the club pays insurance based on our membership, it costs the club for each member so we regret we cannot grant free skiing to residents.

ALLENDALE CHALLENGE

Thanks to Janet Burges as she successfully completed the Allendale Challenge in April and raised £300 for the club in the process.

TOWS DOWN DAY and (very soon) TOWS UP

A big thank you to everyone who turned out on 5 April to dismantle the tows. The weather was kind for the BBQ that followed the hard work of taking down the tows.

Tows go up for the coming winter on Sunday 8^th November, start 10.30am. Please come along and help – we really need your support to get everything ready!

47^th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The date of this year’s AGM is set for Wednesday 21 October at the Ovington Social Club starting at 8.00 pm – Notice of the meeting is attached with agenda. The village of Ovington is about a mile off the A69, half way between Newcastle and Hexham. Come off the A69 signposted Ovington. Coming through the village you can’t miss it. It is set back on the left hand side of the bend as you pass the restaurant on the right. The Ovington Social club is a cosy well kept club with a bar serving reasonably priced drinks and a car park. The AGM will take place in the Concert Room. No need to sign in. As you enter through the front door the Concert Room is straight ahead.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AT THE AGM

This year we have a free prize draw for any members who attend the AGM. 4 great prizes so good odds to win one!!

Edge Lifewear vouchers - £30,
The Bike Shop (Hexham) vouchers - £30,
Gluhwein kit (from Wine Rack Hexham) and
A fleece scarf from Greggs Sports.

The following posts are due for re-election as the present post holders have served for at least 2 years.

Chairman – currently Alex Russell

Vice Chairman – currently Mike Horrocks

Treasurer – currently Jo Hutton

Secretary – currently Trish Turnbull

All 4 post holders are prepared to continue in their present post if there are no other nominations received. Please send your nomination form to the Chairman, Alex Russell, in advance of the meeting.

JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE

We are looking for a young person between 12-18 years to represent the younger members of the club. This person would attend Committee meetings to feed in new ideas for young people and represent their views. If anyone is interested email snow@ski-allenheads.co.uk with a short paragraph about yourself and what you think you can bring to the club.

FIELD COMMITTEE UPDATE

The main emphasis this summer has been to repair ‘A’ tow tractor. Other work such as attention to ‘A’ tow rope and the portable tows have been put on the back burner. Over 4 days, Billy with help from Bill and Guy has dismantled and cleaned the engine, and now commenced reassembly. New cylinder liners and seals, and sump and head gaskets have been refitted and this should resolve the problems of water getting into the engine. It will probably take another couple of day’s work to get the tractor up and running. This should be complete by Tows Up day, when we should be able to test ‘A’ tow rope and Jim will set up the new trip cable.

SKI HOLIDAY 2009/2010

Alex Russell and Trish Turnbull are currently planning a ski holiday in Austria for the coming season. We have yet to decide on the actual resort but it is certain to be flying from Newcastle, departing Saturday 30 January 2010 for one week. Ideally we would be looking at chalet accommodation which in my opinion offers good value for money. My initial thoughts are Chalet Rasser in Zee Am See with Crystal. This is not really a ski club holiday, but if you fancy whatever we chose you will be welcome to come along. We will be planning to book up in the next four weeks to ensure availability. If you are interested let me know.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

21 October – AGM

8 November – Tows up

Best wishes and hoping for a snowy winter,

Alex Russell

Chairman, BNSC