When I joined back in 1987, it was clear that this club had been around for quite a while. There were groups of people who knew each other very well, and would reminicse about people, planes and flying sites which meant nothing to me. When I took on the job of Secretary in 1993, I was disappointed to find that there was nothing in the files about the formation of the club and although I have spoken to several people since about their memories of those early days, until now, it was still unclear just when this club came into being. Then, in March this year, I received a letter from John Cheesman:
My father has been having a clearout, and he came across the enclosed press clipping from 1966! Why he kept it is a mystery, suffice to say that in September 1966 I was not quite 10 and my brother was 12 but we were already aeroplane mad - which he of course knew!
The names mentioned do ring a bell with me - C. A. Rippon" being "rip" of RipMax fame. I will always remember him for 'brown paper and corrugated paper' planes which he took to Stanpit on very irregular occasions in the late 60s early 70s. He lived with his sister in Lingwood or Foxwood Avenue at the time. By the way, the free flight planes did not seem to perform at all well. Mr. R. Harvey (Bob) the Club treasrere, was keen, but I never actually saw him with a model plane. I do not recall Mr. M. C. Lewis, although I may have known him, similarly Mr. D. K. James is not a name that I recognise.
In the late 60s the Club was not of interest to me as it seemed to only be interested in Control Line. I joined in 1970. P.S. I don't know why it was CMFC and not C&DMFC.
Welcome news for model aircraft enthusiasts in the Bournemouth and Christchurch district comes in the official formation of the Christchurch Model Flying Club.
The club held a preliminary meeting on Tuesday to elect officers and consolidate rules and regulations. Mr. C. A. Rippon, a Fellow of the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers, took the chair. Officers were elected.
Mr. Rippon emphasised to the committee that the club must put safety and consideration on the flying field and co-operation with other clubs of major importance. He made it clear that the club caters for enthusiasts in all branches of aeromodelling, including free flight, radio-control, control - line, indoor flying models and unorthodox types.
The club treasurer, Mr. R. Harvey, said that a 5 per cent reduction will be made to members' subscriptions if they pay subscriptions at the beginning of the season. The club funds will cover costs of hiring a meeting place - Stnapit Hall - and trips to area or national competitions.
The committee then drew up an autumn programme which includes controlled flying at Stanpit Recreation Ground and Beaulieu, construction and finish competitions, indoor flying, talks demostrations and possibly public exhibitions. It is proposed to affiliate to the Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers when any preliminary problems have been overcome.
Thus the Christchurch Model Flying Club has a promising future and should attract model aeronautical enthusiasts from a wide area. Anyone requiring details of the club should contact the hon. secretary, Mr. D. K. James, 9 Southbourne Overcliff drive (telephon Bournemouth 48512) or the assistant secretary Mr. M. C. Lewis, 42 Balmoral avenue, Queen's Park (telephone Bournemouth 37997).