Suffolk Kite Flyers Club

It was one of them nice warm Sunday winter morning this Sunday.

Nice to see some new faces over at Rougham and some old ones too

Here are some photos from the day.

Are you looking for a kite forum?

Do you want advice from friendly East Anglian Kite Flyers?

Want to chat about the history of kites, power kiting, kiteboarding or kite buggying?

Then you should check out our kite forum!

https://www.skfc.co.uk/forum2

The freestyle scene is a bit quiet in the UK at the moment,
but up north there is a small group of enthusiastic flyers who call themselves
the Northern Monkeys. Over the Last three years  these guys have hosted  a bi annual weekend fly in at Filey Brigg ,
the last one being in late June this year.

I have been twice and each time I have been made really
welcome and amazed by the northern hospitality. Like our SKF weekenders, these
are weekenders with a focus on the social as well as some serious flying. Saturday
night is curry night with the food cooked and provided by Steve (a founder
Monkey) for free.

This year Narcis came over from Catalonia for the weekend,
giving it an international feel. The Monkeys had also got hold of each person’s
county/national flag – who knew Suffolk even had one!

Although it wasn’t coming off the sea like we hoped, the
winds this were nice and gave us two long evenings and a long day of flying
over the weekend.  We had a Trick Out
comp , Simon won and was crowned the Northern Monkeys National Champ.

We also had a couple of photographers with us, one who was doing some KAP and was able to project her pics onto the side of a van on the Sat. eve. We also had a fly by of a Lancaster, Spitfire and Vulcan. Not sure where they get the money from but they insisted it was planned!

All in it was a top weekend!

Be sure to check out the Northern Monkeys on FB https://www.facebook.com/northernmonkeyskitegroup.nmkg?fref=ts I'm pretty sure they will be coming to our weekenders soon.

Thanks to those that made the effort to attend the AGM today, the weather wasn't conducive for sitting in the middle of Rougham Airfield! For those that did make it , and those that didn't, it was kinda cut short by the rain storm, so if you have anything you want to discuss, offer help, or make suggestions then please use this thread:
http://www.skfc.co.uk/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1588

If you can't login, then please shout and we'll get you sorted out (thread is in the members' area). Thanks, Tim.

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Martin Corrie passed away at 5.30am this morning in Ipswich Hospital, Martin was the founding member and first Chairman of the Suffolk Kite Flyers and was the driving force that got the club up and running 20 years ago, without him we wouldn't today have our great flying site at Rougham.

Our deepest sympathies go to Martins family and our thoughts are with them.

Farewell Martin and thank you for all you have done for the benefit of so many over the last 20 years

Within all areas of kiteing there are subdivisions, in the power scene there are the folk who want to jump and do aerial tricks and there are those who want to go for all out speed. In the single line scene there are people who like the big inflatables and others who like to fly individual pieces of art.

In dual line there are also a number of divisions, those who want to go for all out speed, people who like to fly together (team) and choreograph it to music, people who like to fly straight lines and figures (and also choreograph it to music) and people who like to do tricks (and some like to choreograph it to music).
In the dual line scene the divides in the different subgroups seem wider than in the other areas of kiting. I don't know why, but that is how it seems to me.

I believe that in order for an activity to be a sport and not a pass-time there needs to be competition. So I set about trying to organise uk trick comps. After spending some time trying to set up an event that could be owned by the freestyle/trick flyers and only getting encouragement and support from flyers in Europe or outside the freestyle scene I opted to join with the STACK national championships - They were willing to support a Tricks Party event and already had all the makings of a competition in place (venue, arena, PA system, someone willing to Judge).

So the date was given out in plenty of time and opinions negative or positive asked for. No response came from any uk freestyle flyers. I pitched up on competition day and was the only freestyle orientated pilot there. However we did have all the other parts in place and some other very competent flyers willing to make it into a competition. So the UK Tricks Party Comp went ahead.

The set tricks for the first part of the competition were Axel, Side Slide and Two Point Landing and the second part was a tricks focussed ballet, none of us had had a prepared ballet so it was done on the fly.  
There was no wind at all other the occasional 'gusts' caused by thermals. It was good fun and I won by a small margin.

Yan  

Some of Suffolk Kite Flyers recently met up and convoyed all the way down to Pembrey in South Wales for the No Barriers wind sports events which brought together over 150 wind worshippers for an awesome weekend of blasting down the 6 mile long beach.

Here is a video that Sean Rose created from the trip.

Almost a month ago SKF took delivery of our "new" mower, a 1954 Massey Ferguson tractor and topper. She's got a few peculiarities, but treated gently she should do us proud.

As some of you know who helped out she's already cut the field twice and rolled it once.

Thanks to Rob for selling her on to us and to Matt for all his help in finding her, transporting and generally looking after her wants and needs.

She's got a reasonable appetite for Red Diesel, so if any one knows of a cost effective source please let us know. 

No doubt she'll be making an appearance at the next Weekender.

Our apologies but this event has been cancelled due to high winds, new date tba.

Hi all, on Sunday the 3rd of November the Explorer Scouts will be visiting Rougham to have a go at all disciplines of kiting and maybe ride in a buggy or two?
We did a similar event with the Gipping Young Farmers and everyone who took part will tell you we had a great day.

We will meet on site at 10am and after a safety briefing for the scouts will take them in small groups to have some hands on time with a kite or two.

So do come along and support the club and show these young people what a great sport this is and that the nicest people fly kites :)
These may be our members of tomorrow so do support them and bring your small kites along.

A date for your diary 12th and 13th October 2013

This is a weekender for Light Up the Sky on the Saturday and One Sky One World on the Sunday.

So come on over and join the fun.

Non members welcome but camping fees apply

Hi
Just to remind you all that this Sunday 1st September is the annual Layer Marney Tower kite event. Meet on site approx 10 ish
Decent site and room for a few power kites.
Joint event with the Essex kite group who run the kids workshop.
Visit there web site for location details etc which is south of Colchester .
Go pass the main public entrance then turn right down a track through a gate to the flying area
Toilets, cafe , shop on site

Martin

http://skfc.co.uk/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1399&p=12565&hilit=farm#p1...
This is a big event and takes place over 2 days. However we will only be there on the Sunday 11th August.
We are undertaking a kite display and children's kite making workshop.
Large field with loads of space for us all.
Meet on site to set up at approx 9.30 for a 10.30 start and doesn't finish until 6pm
Loads to see and do, toilets and resturants etc on site.
It's been well advertised including
National Papers etc.
Easton Farm Park is north west of Woodbridge also near Wickham Market but for all details visit their web site including Suffolk Fun Festival. NOTE it's Wickham Market NOT Needham Market - a few years ago I was playing a bowls match some of our team went to the wrong place lol :lol:
Entry is with your membership card and we can park on the flying field.
Workshop is inside a barn with other craft stalls etc

NB Sometimes Sat Nav systems will guide you to a random field using our postcode, so please use Sat Nav in conjunction with the instructions below and the brown tourist road signs!
IP13 0EQ

Location details :-
TO FIND EASTON FARM PARK FROM THE A12

The Farm is signposted from the A12 with the brown tourist signs. Some of the signs have the name, Easton Farm Park, and others just have a white horse on a brown background.
Take the Framlingham sliproad from the northbound A12 and turn left at the top of the slip.

Go straight ahead at the roundabout and take the next left towards Easton.

At the T-junction turn right, which will lead you into Easton village.

Drive past the White Horse Inn on the right and at the next sharp right hand bend, turn left.

Easton Farm Park is approximately 150 yards along this road on the left.

TO FIND EASTON FARM PARK FROM THE A14

From the A14, take the A1120 tourist route after Stowmarket towards Yoxford. After approximately 15 minutes you will be in Earl Soham.

Turn right at the T-junction and then take the first right (on a sharp left hand bend) after the Earl Soham Victoria pub.

This road will take you through Brandeston and Kettleburgh.

At the T-junction after Kettleburgh turn right into Easton village. Take the first right (on a sharp left hand bend) and Easton Farm Park is approximately 150 yards along this road on the left.

As you may or may not be aware I'm on the organising committee for my village: Barking.

As one of the club's flying site it would be good to see a few of you over here. The Tye is a big site even with the fair on it, so hoping for good weather and some wind! Just an informal fly to create a backdrop, officially it opens at 12:00 but come over when you like. Of course the BBQ will be going - just don't come and buy one when I'm cooking ;-)

Location: http://goo.gl/maps/qnzPQ

12.00 - 5.00pm
Opening by Roy Hudd
Majorette Display (main arena)
Ipswich Hospital Band
Dog Agility Display (main arena)
Majorette Display (main arena)
Ipswich Hospital Band
Fun Races (main arena)
Aerobatic Display
Ipswich Hospital Band
Teddy Bear Drop (main arena)
The Jazzy Kings
Dog Agility Display (main arena)
Winners of Auction of Promises, Raffle and Competitions (main arena)
http://barking.onesuffolk.net/assets/Barking-Events/a5-Advert-v2-210513.pdf

The annual 5 Parish Show at Fingringhoe ( south of Colchester ) takes place on Sunday 4th August 2013. From 11am until 5pm

We need to meet on site at approx. 9:30am to set up the kite making workshop etc. We are also undertaking a kite display, children's kite making workshop and we are also schedule at 4pm to undertake a sweetdrop .

This is another great event and loads to see and do for all the family. There is room for a few power kites/buggies etc.

!! See you ALL there !!

Posted on behalf of Martin

Name: Mick
Position: Chairman/Events Co-ordinator
Club Duties: Chair the AGM and Committee meetings, try and ensure the meeting keeps to the agenda, subjects stay on topic and stay on time.
Keep aware of club events and feelings of the members, by meeting members at flying events. Keep an eye on the forum.
Liaise with the Landlord and ensure that someone attends the Rougham Airfield Friends meeting.
Liaise with other airfield users about use of the airfield.
Ensure decisions are made on matters, either with the help of other members, committee members.
Call committee meetings and try and ensure all members turn up.
Organise events.
Special Move: Traveling from the sitting position in a chair to the floor.

Name: Mike
Position: Vice-Chairman
Club Duties: Stand in for the Chairman at meetings if / when the Chairman cannot attend.
Similar to the above.
Special Move: Buggy time warp.

Name: Tim (2)
Position: Treasurer
Club Duties: Look after the club accounts and money.
Special Move: Hotrod buggy modification.

Name: Hank
Position: Membership Secretary / Website Admin
Club Duties: Process applications and renewals. Keeps the website running.
Special Move: Ctrl+Alt+Delete?

Name: Jamie
Position: Club Secretary
Club Duties: Take minutes at meetings and distribute copies afterwards. Help with CAA applications.
Special Move: Taming wild man-eating donkeys.

Name: Simon
Position: Newsletter Editor
Club Duties: Getting articles, photos, producing and publishing the club newsletter and making it available to club members by email or post.
Special Move: Levitation

Name: Martin
Position: Non-Exec
Club Duties: As a founding member of the club Martin provides input on committee issues, liaises with land lords and event organisers.
Special Move: Pulling 4x4s with kites

We return to Southwold for this years kite event on Sunday 21st July next to the boating lake opposite the pier as before. Meet on site at 9.30am to set up for a 10.30am start. Finishes at 4pm.
Kite display and workshop thanks to Lyn.

Great location but site a bit restrictive next to the 2 boating lakes.

Martin

Hi,
See - http://www.skfc.co.uk/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1375#p12322 for attachments
As a current (or recently lapsed) member of SKF I'm writing to advise of the next club weekender (12-14 July) and the AGM (July 14@ 13:30) at Rougham Airfield.

There is a club weekender thread on the forum: http://www.skfc.co.uk/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1370 Any questions etc. just post there.

For the AGM please find enclosed the following:
-Agenda
-Link to Minutes from 2012 AGM: http://www.skfc.co.uk/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1078 (members area, you need to be logged in and have requested access to the members' area).
-Proposed Constitution - See attached
-Proposed Child Protection Policy- See attached
-Link to current club rules: http://www.skfc.co.uk/Club%20Rules
-Link to current committee positions (but please see changes in proposed constitution): http://www.skfc.co.uk/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=565 (members area).

SKF 2013 AGM Agenda: Rougham Airfield, 13:00
1. Apologies - 5mins
2. Minutes of the previous AGM - 10mins
a. Matters Arising
3. Reports:30 mins total
a. Chairman - 5 mins
b. Treasurer - 5 mins
c. Membership - 5 mins
d. Events - 5 mins
e. Website/forum - 5 mins
f. Newsletter - 5 mins

4. Sign-off of Constitution, Club Rules and Child Protection Policy -15 mins
5. Election of Officers - 15 mins
6. Membership costs - 5 mins
7. Any other business - 20 mins

If you are interested in any of the committee positions (the AGM is the time when all positions are up for re-election), or have any questions,etc. please come back to me. Hope to see you the weekend after next for a bit of flying before the AGM - why not make a weekend of it!

Cheers,

Tim.

Organised by the Farm Machinery Preservation Society this annual rally takes place in the grounds of the NT Long Melford Hall. We are invited to fly kites again this year and we will be on site on Sunday only. However the rally does take place also on the Saturday.
To gain entry please bring your SKF membership card and we need to be on site by no later than 9.30am otherwise you will have to park in the main public car park. Another great venue and loads to see on the rally site.