Site News

Up to the minute information about Wessex sites. Bookmark this page and check it out regularly BEFORE you fly! Please communicate any important site information to the Sites Officer as soon as possible!

Barton 31/07/08

2 Points for Barton flyers

Point 1 -
I happened to be at Barton Today 30.07.08. A shocked looking pilot
landed and exclaimed that some nutter had been trying to stone him. I
explained that this is not uncommon and that the culprit would appear
to phycologically challenged to some degree, (he must be a couple of
bricks short of the full load or he would have had the sense to buy a
catapult by now rather than waste energy throwing stones)
Seriously though, if you dont know what i'm talking about you need to
be re - briefed on this site by an experienced Barton Pilot who will
fill you in.
If you are familiar with the situation all I can suggest is keep out
of Mr Angry's projectile radius range or maybe if he tries to stone you
personally approach the Police as an individual, it must be an offence
to propel missiles at an unhostile aircraft me thinks so the guy could
probably be prosecuted or santioned or something.

Point 2 -
A couple of Pilots who where themselves flying Barton on Sunday
expresed concern regarding some flying 'moments' on Sunday.
Barton Beach and green where very busy with members of public due to
the cracking weather.
Apparently the 'moments' could very easily have turned into serious
incidents had the chain of events run just slightly differently.
No specific happenings where mentioned so no ones on a witch hunt here
and im not trying to give a parabollocking or anything like that.
But please bear in mind we are very much in a public domain here.
Kids, old people, animals and even normal people who dont fly will not
understand what we are doing and may make random moves when flown near
etc. Anything that happens here is watch by many people.
Please just take extra care and give extra consideration to the public
and your own actions,
I guess as part of your site assesment if the take off and landing are
so busy with people that you cannot safely fly and land you should
maybe consider the site temporarily unflyable same as you would if its
blown out or too light.
We have made this site accessable to most members now with the de-
rated pilot level restriction but please remember that although it
looks a friendly site it still bites if you get it wrong
Points taken I hope, please enjoy.

Ali F

Sites Officer

Kimmeridge Site fees 15/07/08

'The Hole family are now running a smalll Cafe in Kimmeridge, just
round the corner past the turn off for the farm on the left (its the
only Cafe in Kimmeridge) ( in facts its probably the only anything in
Kimmeridge) When paying your £2 daily site fee please try the Cafe
first as Mrs Hole or her daughter will more likely be here than the
farmhouse.

Ali F'

Document

-----Original Message-----
From: BHPA (Tony Mitchell) [mailto:tony-mitchell@bhpa.co.uk]
Sent: 06 June 2008 09:49
To: BHPA (Tony Mitchell)
Subject: FW: RIAT 2008 & FLY PAST RESTRICTED AIRSPACE
Importance: High

Dear All,
I am copying this to all UK BHPA Schools and Clubs (it’s a lot easier than selecting out those in the area) - please note that it only applies to flying South of a line drawn between Preston and Hull. It requires your urgent attention! There will also be an item on the BHPA web site.

Tony Mitchell, Technical Administrator
British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association
The Old Schoolroom, Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE4 5PJ

Tel. O116 261 1322 Fax. 0116 261 1323 www.bhpa.co.uk

British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Limited.
A company limited by guarantee and registered in England no 2618166
Registered office: 340 Melton Road, Leicester, LE4 7SL

------ Forwarded Message
> From: Tom Hardie <tom@primarysolution.co.uk>
> Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 15:38:50 +0100
> To: "'satco@brizenorton.raf.mod.uk'" <satco@brizenorton.raf.mod.uk>
> Cc: 'Joe Schofield' <skywings@bhpa.co.uk>, 'Mark Turner'
> <mark-turner@bhpa.co.uk>, "'Tony Mitchell (tony-mitchell@bhpa.co.uk)'"
> <tony-mitchell@bhpa.co.uk>
> Subject: RIAT 2008 & FLY PAST RESTRICTED AIRSPACE
>
> Sqn Ldr Muir,
>
> Thank you for your letter dated 27th May 2008 about this year's RIAT at
> Fairford 07-14 July 2008 and the mid-week Fly Past, copy attached.
> Unfortunately this arrived too late for us to publish the details in the
> appropriate edition of our house magazine Skywings. This is regrettable as
> not only is it that Skywings is the only publication that reaches well over
> 90% of all active UK participants, but in general our pilots do not access
> other aviation magazines.
>
> These large areas of Restricted airspace will have a direct detrimental
> effect by effectively shutting down all cross country flying in the areas
> from Monday 07th July to Monday 14th July. We are extremely disappointed
> not to have been consulted prior to their establishment, particularly the
> Fly Past airspace, and wonder why this was not done?
>
> We will copy this e-mail to all those Clubs within the 100 mile radius of
> those who could be affected, for them to disseminate the information as much
> as they can. It needs to be remembered that whilst the BHPA has a strong
> club basis there are very few fixed base (i.e. club house type) operations
> and so information dissemination is not as straight forward as it might be
> once Skywings is taken out of the equation.
> (Tony - please send this e-mail and the attachment to all BHPA Competition
> Committees and to all English and Welsh Clubs located below a line drawn
> between Preston and Hull)
>
> We note that, in addition to being for considerably less airspace, the
> letter for last year's event was dated nearly four weeks earlier and so we
> were able to publish details in Skywings, maybe this should be a
> consideration for next year's RIAT?
>
> Yours
>
> Tom Hardie
> ALO
> BHPA
> _____________________________________________
> Burnbank, Rafford, FORRES, Moray, IV36 2PT
> Office: 01309 696 333
> Home: 01309 69 69 19
> Fax: upon request

Ballard Hang Gliding Parking 6 Jun 08

I have just recieved the licence renewal for Ballard Down from the
National Trust. If you remember they had told us we would be unable to
continue to park HG carrying vehicles on Ballard Down after May this
year.

Good News, they have agreed to let the parking concession continue.

This concession is strictly for Hang Gliders only.
National Trust have also requested that we ensure parked vehicles do
not obstruct the access track in any way.
Also that vehicles are parked discretly and in a way that they are not
noticable from Studland Village.
Please could anyone who knows a non internet conected HG pilot pass
this info on.

Thanks
Ali Florence

12 May 2008 Members-only sites

Portland sites and Barton on Sea have now had their classification changed from 'members only' to 'open sites' If flying as a visitor at any of these sites please ensure you have read and fully understand all details given in our 'Sites Guide' which is available free on line. It would be wise to have a copy of the guide in your possesion for on site reference.

We strongly recommend that any visitors or first time flyers on any of our sites ensure they recieve a thorough briefing from a Wessex member before flying

Barton on Sea UAV - 8 Feb 08 From Richard Davis

It has come to my attention that as of today the ASTRAEA consortium has started trialling a UAV between Chewton-Bunny and Highcliffe Castle.

The individuals running the trial seem to think that they are not within Class-D (have a look on the airmap!!!) and that they do not need to issue a NOTAM.

Please note that flying paragliders within the area from Becton-Bunny to Highcliffe Castle is likely to p!ss them off and could result in an unfortunate paraglider-UAV collision.

Apparently their trial will last throughout the summer but will be confined to weekdays only.

The UAV they are currently testing has a wing span of about 20ft(ish), it's a water based UAV, i.e. it takes off and crashes/lands on the sea.

Apparently it is currently being flown by radio control by the "chief" Modeller Examiner for the UK (so lets bring our own radio controls down and play havoc!!!) - but the intention is to get the thing flying completely autonomously along side another one (within 3ft) which will also be flying autonomously.

Personally, I think it would be a very wise move to avoid the area (500m radius centred on the circle) Especially once they start doing autonomous control.. eeek!

Ballards HG Parking 25 Jan 08

After a long silence National trust have corresponded regarding their
recent statement on stopping HG Pilots parking on Ballard Down.
They seem to have taken on board our issues. The matter will be
discussed with NT access, legal and property people along with several
other topics at a forum to be held this March.

A decision on the parking will be made shortly after this.
In the mean time if we park on top of the ridge please try and park
your vehicle adjacent to scrub bushes if possible so as to break the
visual impact on the sky line. Also bear in mind this privelidge could
well be withdrawn so be on best behaviour (as i'm sure you always are)
NOTE THIS PARKING CONCESSION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO HG PILOTS CARRYING A
HANGLIDER ON THEIR VEHICLE< PG PILOTS WALK UP>

Ali F (SITES)

13 Nov 07 Telegraph Hill Shooting dates

Subject: Flying from Telegraph Hill, Hilfield.

Further to our earlier telephone conversation concerning flying from telegraph hill.I own Pond Farm below the hill and I am concerned that paragliders are overflying when we shoot at Pond Farm, as was the case the last time we shoot on October 30th.

My only concern is that there should not be an accident when we are shooting, any other time I am very happy for your members to overfly the land.

The future days which we will be shooting this season are;

Thursday 15th November

Tuesday 27th November

Monday 10th December

Saturday 26th December

Saturday 12th January

Saturday 26th January

We normally start shooting at 9.30 am and finish by 2.00 pm so most of the after noon is"free".

My next door neighbour, Richard Vickery also has a shoot at Manor Farm. You might like to contact him concerning his shooting dates. His telephone number is 01963 210245.

My telephone number is 01963 210 878 if you need any thing else.

Many thanks for your help.

Vyn Duder

4 Nov 07 - Kimmeridge Closures

Kimmeridge is closed on each of the following shoot dates, shooting is
normally complete on the ridge by 1300 hrs after which we may fly.
It should be fairly obvious if shooting is still taking place !

November 10th
November 24th

December 8th
December 15th
December 29th

January 12th
January 19th

22 Oct 07 Devon and Somerset Condors sites

Hi all



We had a very busy day at Beer Head and Branscombe on Sunday

A couple of problems arose with some of your members visiting

Can you please make sure that they know what the rules are on these two very sensitive sites

Branscombe is members only as requested by the landowner - who is very sensitive and this must be adhered to at all costs. Condors members are requested to park on the side of the road - not blocking any farm entrances and walk out along the lane, not drive

Beer Head is open, but again no driving out and park in the carpark at all times, not in the lane or access road

Many thanks if you can pass this on to your members

Phil Fouracre
Sites Officer
Devon and Somerset Condors

> Subject: Xalps paragliding film
>
> Hi
> Could you please pass this email onto the Wessex club members?
>
> Sorry for the rather impersonal group email but I am trying to
> email round as many people as possible to let them know that the
> documentary X-Alps, The World’s Most Extreme Race, will be shown on
> BBC 2 Scotland on Tuesday October the 30th at 7pm. Ulric and I took
> part in the X-Alps this summer and were followed by a BBC film
> crew. By encouraging as many people as possible to watch the
> documentary we hope to persuade the BBC that there is demand for
> coverage of a wider range of sports.
>
> The documentary is initially going to be screened only in Scotland,
> if you live in Britain but not Scotland please email into the BBC
> on the website below to ask why you can’t see it in your region, if
> sufficient people email in to ask if it could be shown elsewhere
> then hopefully this will be the case. Apparently anyone with sky TV
> can watch BBC2 Scotland on CHANNEL 990
>
> If you live in Scotland and would be kind enough to let the BBC
> know that you have watched the program by emailing in any comment
> at all we would be really grateful.
> The phone number and website in both instances is 08700 100 222 or
> log onto www.bbc.co.uk/complaints go to complains, then click email.
>
> If you live anywhere in Britain you can watch the program on the
> BBC I player system for 7 days after the 30th, which can be found
> here.
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/player/?item=tv_and_radio
> Our programme should appear amongst the list of programmes on the
> right hand side of the screen soon after transmission. Anyone can
> view the programme on demand for 7 days after the transmission.
> Again if as many people as possible could log onto this it would be
> much appreciated, unfortunately I don’t think the quality is as good.
>
> Please pass this email on to anyone else who may be interested in
> the film. If you have time to put it onto any club or work egroups
> that would be really appreciated.
> Hope you enjoy watching it, it does have quite a few memorable
> moments in it, and Ulric won’t stop going on about how amazing it is!
> Many thanks for all the tremendous support that everyone has given
> us, it really helped to get us through a very difficult summer.
>
> Best wishes
> Ruth and Ulric

19 Oct 07 Portland East

Apparently one of our members was 'spoken to' by staff at Portland
young offenders institute today (18.10.07), Last Sunday (14.10.07) a
lone wing was flying Portland East but had not reported to the Borstal
gatehouse, this is a requirement before flying here. Also a nearby
resident had remonstrated that (presumably the same pilot same day) had
been flying very close to the Peregrines nest, although they are not
technically 'nesting' they still reside in the same area and probably
value some privacy.

It is unlikely that this pilot is a Wessex member, however if any one
knows any body who flew here on 14.10.07 please could you ask them to
study the sites guide before visiting this or any other Wessex site
again.

Ali F (Sites Officer)

I am sending closure dates for Monks Down for this Winter.

Oct 31st

Nov 14th 21st

Dec 5th 12th 19th

Jan 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th

I wish you happy flying on other days,and I am sure you have enjoyed all the easterly winds we have had recently.

Bryan Follett

Westbury 13 Sept 07

For any pilots who fly Westbury, please could you make sure that you are
aware of the site rules, since this is a busy and sensitive site. Currently
we are facing a change of ownership of some land including our emergency
landing field. We know this is likely to result in a less friendly farmer so
we are trying to make sure we are squeaky clean, in particular if it should
come to any negotiations with English Heritage, the MOD or the town council,
all of whom take an interest of some sort in our activities.

Full site rules are on our website and could I please remind everyone specifically about the following.

- Do NOT land or take off from above the horse or on the horse
itself. There is a public footpath just above the horse, and landing here
endangers members of the public, plus the horse is an ancient monument.
Landing above the path is likely to dump you in rotor. If you are in a
situation where you are low near the horse, the only option is to put it in
just in front of the horse's nose, and then WALK BACK TO TAKE OFF. However,
if you're not staying up, you shouldn't have taken off.

- There is NO bottom landing field. We have an emergency landing
field, to be used in the event of mechanical failure, extreme danger etc.
I.e. you spot a flight of the Red Arrows heading your way and spiral in to
land ASAP. It is not an option just because the conditions are light and
you thought you'd give it a go. Please respect this, as the farmer is
already very keen to close this field to us as soon as the tenancy agreement
changes.

- If you do land in the emergency landing field (after you've
narrowly avoided those Red Arrows), you must exit from the gate in the
corner by the road, and walk along the road to a footpath. Do not attempt
to walk straight back up the hill from the field.

- The field to the left of takeoff is also NOT a landing field. We
have no permission to land there.

- Westbury is a top-landing site only. If you have doubts about
staying up, or other people are scraping, land whilst you have the chance,
or if you're on the ground - don't take off.

English Heritage are not keen on us flying there, and we must not give them
the excuse to stop us doing so. Please help by respecting our site rules,
if you have any questions or are on the site and not sure, please do ask any
of the other pilots there, you'll soon find an Avon pilot happy to help.

Many thanks,

Richard Zaltzman

Chairman, Avon HGPGC

Batcombe - 4 Aug 2007

We now have a written agreement with the farmer and are paying a fee to fly here

Can you let your members know that nothing has changed, but, that he is adamant that parking should be in the field at all times

Anyone parking outside anywhere in the proximity of the gates and the field opening to the right, risks losing the site

Any problems contact me

Many thanks

Phil Fouracre
Sites Officer

01460281130
07850216464
D & S Condors

Landing at Durlston Head - 12 Aug 07

Following Dave F's EITS re-landing at Durlston I went to see Robin Plowman who is park warden for Durlston. I explained a little more about our sport and activities around the area in general and put likely numbers of Durlston landings into perspective. The discussion was totally amiable. Robin is ok with us landing out within the park but asks that we continue to give consideration to other park users, like avoiding landing close to people, animals and not taking vehicles over fields etc.

Also he requested that if we land within the park that once wrapped up we just report in to the Rangers office (shop) by the car park to let the ranger on duty know that we have landed safely. I think someone had reported seeing a parachute land when Dave came in and was maybe concerned for his wellbeing.

Ali Florence

Foot and Mouth - Sky Surfers' sites 6 Aug 2007

I am sure you will have heard the news of the Foot & Mouth outbreak on a farm in Surrey, between Hindhead and Guildford. This is VERY CLOSE to Sky Surfing sites and is causing great concern.

Can I therefore ask that you broadcast to your members the need to be extra-cautious when visiting SSC sites:

- Check first before you arrive on site.
- If possible, check before you set out.
- Be prepared for your flying activity to be curtailed at very short notice.
- If unsure or in any doubt, KEEP AWAY.

Keep a close watch on the the Sky Surfing website. As soon as any further news is available, it will be posted here.

Though there are only minor restrictions at present, we have been asked us to use common-sense and be vigilant. (I understand the area of the SURVEILLANCE ZONE** has been increased.)

- Look for NO ENTRY signs, especially on Butser and Harting Down.
- Keep out of any compounds that contain livestock - do not launch or land within these areas.
- If you have been in the Survellance Area recently and been close to any livestock, please disinfect yourself, vehicles and equipment before going on-site.

There IS livestock on Butser and on Harting. These are being moved to confined areas - please keep well away from these areas.

Be advised that the Hampshire County Council emergency committee is meeting today to establish strategy and procedures, so the situation is subject to sudden change.

To repeat again,
- be vigilant and over-cautious
- if in any doubt - DO NOT FLY - KEEP AWAY.

Feel free to contact me if you have any queries. Thank you for you patience.
Brian.

** See DEFRA website for further information

Brian Parkins

Bournemouth Agreement - 4 Aug 07

Crane at Boscombe (Bournemouth) 15 Feb 07 from Ali F (sites Officer)

I have now had several discussions with Bournemouth Council regarding alternate launch sites to the West of the crane at Boscombe. The council's representative has been genuinely helpful in trying to identify a site but although there are several areas it would be possible to launch from there are no top land areas that can be deemed suitable. As discussed on the club forum the council are not happy with us making planned landings on the beach or promenade West of Boscombe owing to a greater density of members of the public. No doubt there are areas some amongst us could touch down safely but in reality there is no where they are currently aware of that could be classed as safe for the majority of pilots using this site.

I also had a constructive conversation with Barrett Homes Project Manager whom incidentally has had a go on a tandem Paraglider and liked it.

High winds have delayed finishing the rigging of the crane hence the jib being missing. The crane is due to be completed and operational within the next few days (15.02.07). The crane is then programmed to be on site for 72 weeks (finishing somewhere round the end of August 2008 then).

Site working hours are to be 0730 - 1730 on weekdays and 0730 - 1300 on Saturdays.
Barrett Homes have asked that we maintain an exclusion zone of approximately 200 m of the crane and do not over or underfly it during site working hours regardless of altitude. Outside working hours no restriction will apply but common sense should mean giving this obstruction a wide berth. Please remember if unmanned the crane will be in free wheel and is liable to swing round if the wind changes.

There are two main safety issues that have to be considered, obviously, firstly collision, secondly distraction of the crane operator. The crane runs with wire ropes hanging vertically from a sliding bogey on the main jib. With the length of wire rope and a load on the end a pendulum effect can develop from any erratic operation of the crane particular in moderate winds. Hence anything that distracts the operators attention could cause a serious accident beneath the crane.

Regards altitude some will no doubt argue that with several hundred you could pass safely over the crane. Inevitably we would become complacent and pass closer and closer until an incident occurred or concerns were raised by the site. Also although highly unlikely we could not guarantee that sudden loss of altitude could not occur if passing.

I know this news will be an upset to many but if we follow this agreed code we will avoid conflict on the site.

Incidentally Barretts would be very interested in any photo's taken from above as works progress, should anyone take any please forward to me or John B so we may forward them.

SO TO RE-CAP

Point 1 : Our only negotiated launch is at the Commodore Hotel

Point 2 : Between 0730 - 1730 weekdays and 0730 1300 Saturdays please keep at least 200 m from the crane and do not overfly it.

Thanks for your anticpated co-operation

Ali F

Crane at Boscombe (Bournemouth) 9 Feb 07 from Ali F (sites Officer)

Ok, i've just had a look at the crane picture at Boscombe. I guess it was inevitable it would arrive sooner or later. Its that high as it will need to reach over the top of the new building thats going up. Hence the new roofline should end up below the crane jib height.

As far as i'm aware we havent heard a squeak from anyone at Barratts or the council YET and I did speak to our man on the council just last week regarding this years insurance papers.

This could be because no ones been flying much and they just havent thought about us.
I think for the time being we ought not to high light a potential problem until we are contacted (which I am sure we will be sooner or later)

Its possible there is a Notam out or it maybe Bournemouth ATC have something to say about it next time someone calls in, I dont know.

I think the best tactic for the time being if we get any flyable days is be VERY sensible toward Boscombe. I think if we self impose a line approx 300m East of the crane on any working day that we keep East of we may avoid conflict. If we try and fly past the crane whilst it is manned (the driver will be in the little cab at the top) it will almost certainly end in us being banned officially.

If I was site managing this project I would have had to risk assess the crane, if a risk of paragliders flying past my working crane was present the only way I could safely control the risk would be to eliminate the hazard (US). Waving to the driver to 'hang on a minute i'm just going past you' will not be acceptable in this age of safety gone mad.

Be aware that even when the crane is unmanned it can still move. As a safe guard against high wind damage tower cranes are left in slew float so that the jib will turn like a weather vane. So on a flyable day with the site not working the jib will probably be aiming at 90' to the cliff in line with the wind.

I consider it inevitable that if we are spotted near the crane we will be called to question. So please use some common sense and dont push your luck it wont be there for ever. Restricted use of the site will be better than none at all. I think if we mess up here we will just get banned so the balls in your court Southbourne flyers

Bell Hill 9 Dec 06

Unfortunately a member got his vehicle bogged in at the side of the track on Saturday and had to ask the farmer for help. Even though he paid for assistance the farmer was inconvenienced, and this is a situation the club would like to avoid. Please be aware that getting up the track is the easy bit: if you haven't got good snow-driving skills and a suitable vehicle you won't stand a chance once you get to the top. We say it every year, but PLEASE don't try to drive up the track unless you're SURE you can get to the top, park, turn round, and get down again, without putting anyone to any trouble - including yourself!

Mike A (Bell Hill Management Team)

29 Oct 06 Bell Hill Track

As usual each winter it rains, As usual each winter this makes Bell Hill track very slippery at times. As usual some people will ignore any warning or advice given about not driving up Bell track unless they are confident they can turn and park safely at the top, but as usual here's the warning and advice :- Most vehicles will be able to make to the top of the track in most conditions.

The problem is that once at the top some vehicles (or there drivers) cannot move or turn without sliding all over the place as the track stops at the top of the climb. If you have any doubts about your vehicles (or your) ability to drive across a steep slope with virtually no traction and then park your vehicle out of the way of others then park outside the hill and walk up.

If parking on the road side leave plenty of room for tractors etc to pass.

Also we can still park in the chalk at the foot of Bell as an overflow. Bear in mind that although the chalk pit is flatter its still slippery, we dont own this bit of the hill so treat with respect and shut the gate.

We had at least one vehicle collision on Bell last year and at laest one person sliding off the track and having to bother a farmer for a tow.

Sites Officer

Please would members be SURE to scramble the combination on the lock before leaving it. This evening I found a very dubious vehicle in our gateway: he only drove away when I hooted at him to move. With the Steam Fair going on, the area is swarming with people looking for somewhere to hole up!

Thanks to the public-spirited member(s) who pulled ragwort and left it, bagged, very sensibly, outside the gate where the cattle couldn't get at it! Others please follow suit - but wear gloves!

7 Aug 06

Avon - Frocester

From: Richard Zaltzman

Change to Frocester site rules.

After much consideration, the Avon Club have decided that the very technical nature of Frocester and the sensitivity of the site with the landowners means we have had to restrict access to Pilot rated plus 100 hours for Paraglider pilots and Advanced Pilot rated for Hang Glider pilots. We do have other sites that are flyable from N to W, so if you are not Pilot (PG) or AP (HG), please get in touch for the alternatives. Frocester can be extremely difficult at times, with a small, steep takeoff, plenty of trees creating turbulence and very limited bottom and top landing options. It is really an XC site for experienced pilots, and we would ask all visiting pilots to respect the site rules, in particular the very limited landing options, to help us ensure we can keep the site open. Please don’t be afraid to ask any pilots on the hill for site rules if you are not familiar with them.

Many thanks,

Richard (Chairman – Avon HGPGC)

Bournemouth 8 June 06

From the Wessex HGPG Secretary:

A complaint has been received from a resident of the large white tower block between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers. Apparantly it was being soared on Friday 2nd June. The matter has now been resolved amicably. If you fly here please DO NOT soar the tower block, tempting though it is.

Also, response to my recent email made it clear that some members were unaware that Bournemouth Council now keep a list of all approved pilots.
They requested this when we last renewed the agreement. Please be assured that there is the absolute minimum of information on this list: it is simply member name and BHPA number, information which the council wardens can request from you anytime you are on the site anyway. The list consists of all PG Pilot rated members plus those CPs with grandfather rights. If you do not wish to be on the list let me know and you will be removed, but that will mean that you can no longer fly the site.

31 Jan 06 from Don Shipton

Chalton:

An east facing hill overlooking a railway line with restricted top and bottom landing areas that make this more suited to Paragliders. The site is a walk up with limited roadside parking. There is no farmer imposed restrictions on numbers but is only available from February through September. Should provide cross country potential and being our most easterly Paragliding site enjoys therefore the greatest distance before airspace restrictions are encountered.

31 Jan 06 from Alastair Florence

Following the problems of vehicle parking on Bell during wet conditions we have managed to gain agreement from Owen Yeatman to use the chalk pit at the bottom of the hill as an overflow car park. Please read the following points carefully before using it though.

The Chalk Pit does not belong to us. Owen still owns the lower segment of the hill surrounding the chalk pit. He has kindly agreed that it can be used by us under certain circumstances. Please do not abuse his goodwill.

Although fairly flat this area is still far from ideal for parking cars. It would be easy to get stuck here or slide into other vehicles if care and thought is not taken.

I suggest that you stop your car in the gate way and walk into the pit first so that you can decide where you will park rather than just drive in and get stuck. Then park thoughtfully to allow others to get in and out.

We only have permission to use the pit during the winter or wet days when it is unwise to try and park at the top.

Please use any road side parking as your first choice, only use the pit as a last resort when the road side is full.

Close the gate at all times.

It is a long walk up the hill from here. Its an easier walk from the roadside parking.