CD Ashley Hoyland Judges: Alan Simmonds and Stuart Turrell with Bob Wasson and Peter Scoles. Scores Matt Hoyland Due to the amount of equipment required plus the models, Matt and I made our own way to Barkston in glorious sunshine, but with 5 miles to drive we ran into mist and it just got thicker. We arrived from different directions but within a few seconds of each other at 7.15 to be greeted by Alf Tunicliffe, BMFA Midland Area Secretary who organises the day. We managed to find the main runway in the mist but had to wait for it to clear before we could mark out the box, the mist was so thick we could only guess that we were in roughly the right place. So it was assemble models and control as Stuart Turrell arrived out of the mist to help, thank you Stuart. As the mist started to clear the box was laid out ready for the pilots briefing on time at 8:40. Flying was delayed until 9:21 when the mist finally gave way to a perfect day. 19 competitors in all classes with no problems or accidents. Mike Watts, Angel 50Se came third in his first competition and it was good to see Keith Dawson and John Stones flying in their second competitions. The close competition in Masters was nail biting stuff right to the end and really good to be part of the close but friendly rivalry, sorry about the new model, blame Matt. I invited Alf Tunnicliffe to present the ‘trophies’ or mementoes is a better word, to the top pilots in each class and the Judges. We also thanked Alf with a similar memento bearing his name, in thanks for his help and consideration. I should not end without thanking Matt Hoyland for handling the scoring. I got into bother a few times for not being where I should have been but we did have some visitors to our flightline with lots of discussion and leaflets distributed. Sorry Matt, that’s my excuse anyway. Although our agreed finish time was just achieved it was 6.45 before we left the airfield. My litter walk revealed one cigarette end and one transmitter. If we had a mobile internet connection the Tx would have been on e-bay but the way it worked out I can only hope the owner and his caller enjoyed their tour of Grantham before picking up our message and returned to the airfield. Just one other point, the two of our visitors admittedly took leave to visit IMAC – shame on you, but welcome back. A brilliant day – thank you all for making it so. Just to finish, I did spare a thought for our members and pilots across the Channel at the annual Romilly competition. I expected that they would be having at least as good weather as we were, but apparently they had to fly in the rain. Ashley Hoyland