The CAMFC Committee
Jim Beagley: Chairman
Jim has recently taken over the ‘top job’ from Roger Godly and appears to be enjoying himself. Jim is a passionate modeller and has always got some balsa being bashed into shape on the bench at home, some of his creations actually fly as well.. Jim can been seen at the field regularly and, as one of the clubs BMFA examiners, always has a few words of encouragement for those learning to fly (and a few jokes/heckles/words of abuse for the other members of the club.)
Brian Taylor: Show Co-ordinator
Brian is in charge of a large team organising the Southern Model Airshow (including doing a massive amount of personal work behind the scenes) Having a father and father-in-law interested in model flying, Brian is one of the most knowledgeable club members on both model and full size aircraft. The type of chap you either want asking the questions or on your team at quiz nights. Brian has, under the trade name of Rylandes Designs' designed and kitted a very successful fun fly sports model called the Doodle as well as a 1930's sports racer called the Doolittle. The flying qualities of both models are a fine testament to Brains skill as designer and builder.
Geoff Potts: Secretary
Geoff is the man in charge of all the paperwork at CAMFC and is responsible for administering the clubs affaires. Due to work and family commitments Geoff is rarely seen at the field at the weekends but is a regular visitor on a Thursday during the summer months, Geoff has been kept busy building a Flair Tiger Moth for some time now and we are all looking forward to the finished masterpiece taking to the sky.
Darren Parvin: Club Treasurer
Another dedicated CAMFC member who in the past has been the club newsletter editor and the webmaster of the original CAMFC website. Darren now does an excellent job as club treasurer and keeps a tight rein on the clubs money! Darren has had little or no time to fly in the last few years but is always there when help is needed to run the club shows and various club nights.
Paul Court : Websites and IT
Paul has the unenviable job of keeping all things IT running for the Club including the two websites and the CAMFC Club forum. As a fan of electric flight Paul has been throwing various pieces of foam skyward for a few years now, more recently he has returned to the “other side” and can be seen sporting a couple of Glows including a Panic (don’t tell anyone though).
Stephen Morfill : Training Coordinator
Stephen can be seen at the field most weekends and are charged with the important role of looking after the newest members. The boys are not alone in the task working closely with a number of dedicated helpers offering advice on what trainer to buy right through to hands on flight training to how to pass the ‘A’ test. Once you’re ready for your test, we have several BMFA Examiners in the club (including Jim) so you can take your test at the same field you learnt to fly at !. Stephen also arranges the trial flights at the Southern Model Airshow and the other shows that we attend..
Peter Royal: Events & Shows
Peter is one of the backbones of the club organising and coordinating our calendar of events from interclub competitions to demonstrations for the public at fairs and shows. Peter has spent his life in the motor trade however he still finds no better way to relax than keeping busy building or flying model aircraft. Peter has excellent knowledge of model flying and has used his organisational skills in the past to organise the club table top sales and auctions. Peter is one of the clubs many instructors and also a BMFA examiner.
Gary Beaven : Newsletter Editor
What can you say about our CaptainBev? Gary is a larger than life character who always offers to help out with any problems and appears to know ‘stuff’ about and enormous range of subjects (also known for large amounts of ‘taking the Michel’ and generally making people laugh). The newsletter has been in his hands for a year now and has taken on his sense of humour with the addition of a ‘Page 3 pictures’ (no it’s not what your thinking) as well as an expansion of the Tips and Tricks sections.
Chris Sumner : Public Relations / Promotions:
Chris is one of our newest committee members and takes up the responsibility of promoting all the clubs activities in the specialist model flying press and via the world wide web. A regular flyer at Fickleshole most weekends who is quietly improving his flying skills at a steady pace. As well as building and maintaining his own fleet of planes Chris can be seen out and about in his convertible sports car with the sound track from ‘Spinal Tap’ playing away. In more sensible moments, Chris can also been seen at the Southern Model Airshow in his capacity of show manager
Non Committee and club characters...
Dave Bishop: Honorary President:A legend in his own lifetime, there cant be many people that are involved in RC modelling that do not know Dave. For many years Dave organised the very successful Plumpton family show, nowadays Dave can be found commentating at all the major model airshows throughout the year in a way only Dave can. A well known RC forum recently held a poll to find out who is the UK's most popular show commentator and it was no surprise that Dave came 1st with over 82% of the votes cast. Dave has a vast knowledge of anything to do with RC modelling and it is due to Dave's relentless promotion of the Southern Model Airshow throughout the year that we are able to attract the UK's top display pilots to come and fly at the Hop Farm in September.
Charlie Brown: SecurityCharlie is probably the most famous club member of all times and can be found up the field most weekends with his pet human Roger. As well as keeping an eye on security at Fickleshole and at club nights Charlie is in charge of flightline security at the Southern Model Airshow each September at the Hop Farm and it is due to his stealth and diligence that there has never been a successful attempt to try and steal the flightline at any of the shows. During the summer months Charlie takes along his pet family to many of the UK model airshows where he can often be found helping relief anyone of any unwanted food!