Rhossili update 26/5/11 discussion

[Ga Silver]

Cool. I hoped that was the case. I think as long as we're not coming into contact with the RB in any way we shouldn't upset the NT.

[SteveJ]

Gareth,
Can't see that flying DOWN to the raised beach would  be a problem. Bearing in mind any livestock which may be grazing the raised beach.

[Stevie G]

an open meeting is a good idea but I cant see it getting us anywhere really... Im still well in my rights as a member of the public to be scrambling up and down the raised beach as so many do so long as I dont have my glider on my back? but maybe a huge rucksack instead  hmmm ? ? ?

[SteveJ]

Hi Gareth,
Firstly, your query. The reason the NT have asked us to refrain from flying the raised beach is due to the very act of taking off from the beach, inevitably pilots will at some point use the sand wall just above the high-water mark as a 'launching aid' (when we can't do harrier jump-jet impersonations !) by running up the sand wall to get airborne (as in the u-tube' video); this causes the sand to erode at an alarming rate. Pilots using this technique have been observed by NT staff in the last few weeks; hence the request.

The £2 fee complaint stems from PG pilots who pay their fees, only to find out when on the hill, that other visiting pilots have not. They (the fee paying pilots) have complained to the NT, who I guess have to work out a solution.

On OS maps the NT boundaries stretch all the way across the top of Rhossili Down, to the low water mark, which includes the raised beach area.
As a club, what we must remember ourselves is that we fly at Rhossili only because we have permission from the NT and therefore we must appreciate and respect  their requests. If we do not, then our licence, which is reviewed every year, can be revoked.

May I suggest an open-meeting for all members, at our monthly meeting at the begining of  June ?

[Rhun Llwyd]

No grey areas there then. We need to tread carefully here. I'm sure the steps needed to highlight payment can be done easily. Let me know if you need a hand with anything.
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[Ga Silver]

Hi Steve, does this just mean we are not to take off from the beach or is all flying of the raised beach to stop?The reason I ask is that when the wind picks up we tend to fly down to the raised beach before landing (thats if ur not being sucked over the back or to wait for the wind to drop before flying back up (all without touching the RB).

[GerryL]

guys whats going on? i thought the action that was discussed at the meeting was the paying of £2 by non members and or an increase in nat trust fees trying to eleviate the £2 fee all together??
how come we are now told we cant fly the raised beach? i just dont understand how this has come about and am not prepared to agree to such a blanket ban without consultation or discussion.
i suspect a certain non menbers actions of using the grass next to the worms head to launch and land has something to do with this, and as we all know as he is not a member of the club or bhpa we have no influence over him.
i wholly agree with stevie g and think further discussion is called for.
what is next NO LANDING ON THE BEACH???
sorry but i think negotiations should be two way!!

[Stevie G]

I hear you Steve... but am a little confused now as it is the farmer who rents the raised beach to another farmer and has nothing to do with the NT ? hmm confused ? ? ?...the public and wildlife scramble up and down it thru out the year far more than we ever do ...am still confused ? ? ?.... the sheep eat all the rare flowers and horses and cattle trample around... maybe if we put wings on them to they would have to be included in these strange rules ? ? ?

[SteveJ]

Dear Members,
Some of you will be aware that many visiting pilots (non-SWWSC members) to our Rhossili flying site are not complying with site protocol regarding the mandatory £2 fee payable at the National Trust shop.
To help in resolving this issue I have agreed with the NT's representative for Rhossili that the club take steps to highlight the need for non-SWWSC members to pay the fee.

This will be done in a number of ways:
1. An article in Sky Wings magazine outlining the fee.
2. Notifying neighbouring clubs.
3. Increasing and making more conspicuous localised signage at Rhossili. This will include a possible information sheet on the exterior of the pay booth at the main car park (as well as informing the car park attendant, so he can give some brief advise to any visitors), inside the Worms Head Hotel and on the gate at the bottom of the hill to the Pimple.
With regards to the latter, it will be acceptable to introduce a Paragliding/Hanggliding logo to help attract attention to the notice; something which perhaps all the information sheets should carry.

The outcome of this 'information campaign' will be reviewed prior to the issuing of next year's (2012) licence.

On another issued which was raised during our discussion and which will, I know, displease some members, the National Trust would like us to TOTALLY refrain from flying the raised beach, as it has been noted lately that pilots are causing erosion damage to the dunes/sand walls of the raised beach SSI. There is also the possibility of livestock grazing on the SSSI being 'spooked' by the sudden appearance of a glider from below.
Some of you will have seen the U-Tube video sometime ago by an unknown individual which high-lighted this damage.
This will in future come as a clause in our licence agreement with the NT.