Once again, a goodly number of folk made their way Southwest to receive
the usual warm welcome from the Cornwall Flying Club at Bodmin. In
addition to the Kernow Trophy at Intermediate, last year's introduction
of a Standard Level award is now re-named the Gunpowder Trophy, after
its donor, Howard Fawkes (geddit?) Although there were no Beginners this
time around, a number of people took the opportunity of fine weather on
Friday afternoon to go off into the (not too) local area for a bit of
last-minute fettling. A glorious evening gave promise of a good day to
follow on the Saturday.
Well! Although at 06:30, a high overcast and
little wind seemed to be a good portent, by briefing time at 08:00 this
had turned into some pretty black stuff at about 800ft over the
airfield, with heavy showers bringing the code in the TAF to life. With
the wind veering round to the Northwest, Bodmins' 600ft elevation gave
the typical orographic lift to the moist air-mass to keep the clouds
forming. "It's lovely at Wadebridge" (about 10 miles upwind) gave us
hope that things might change. Indeed, at about 14:00 some blue appeared
and the first pilot, 'Sir' Giles in G-BLAG launched. However, after 20
minutes of fruitless searching for a gap, he reluctantly rejoined us to
sit it out.
With many pilots at this stage focussing on programming their GPS for
the journey home, a decision was made by yours truly at 15:00 to knock
it on the head. A briefing in the clubhouse rounded off proceedings,
with the usual thanks to the hosts and the others who had given up their
time to support us, namely, Jen, registering and scoring, Steve and his
fellow judges Howard, Simon and Bob. Thus drew to a close a most
frustrating weekend, the more so because of the promise of a really good
contest.
It just seemed so appropriate to leave the Trophies in the clubhouse,
so there they will reside until next year. I'm sure that making the
effort to return next year will be well rewarded, because when it's good
a Bodmin, it's very, very good.
Ben Ellis
Contest Director
