1 We welcomed 26 members to the meeting, it was especially good to see Mike and Sarah after a few month’s absence.
2 Apologies had been received from Tony & Helen, Bill & Pinky, Mark & Karen, Harry & Gaynor, Bob & Sonja, Nigel & Sarah, Les, Tink, Lester, Anita and Ken.
3 The South Wales Wing Ding had taken place at Caerphilly RFC between the 11 and 17 July 2022. Barry led the meeting in a Debrief of the event, with details as follows:
Upsides:
Generally very good SW member support for event, thank you.
Excellent compliments from our guests, good atmosphere and fantastic weather.
Dealt with the stroke victim especially well. Lessons to be learnt that due to circumstances, we had no first aiders on site and future equipment not only for Wing Dings but Treffens may be required. However, CPR equipment was on site if it had been needed.
Very good run outs and well supported despite the short delay at Tredegar House.
Rugby Club catering was good, next time tickets will not be needed. Possibly extend bar hours.
Big thank you from rugby club for cleaning showers & toilets.
Our new members turned up trumps,
Charity raffle and head shave were amazing.
Magic fancy dress, pity that South Walians only took the plunge, perhaps not necessary to have a theme in the future.
Very good financial result with final figures having been circulated to all South Walians.
Member donations of items and cash were very, very supportive so much so that many of our donated supplies we can use for 2024.
Caerphilly RFC would be delighted to see us back in 2024. The meeting agreed that we would return in 2024, the dates being Monday 15 to Monday 22 July, 2024, subject to the rugby club being available.
We have received from the Town Mayor an invitation to organise a Light Parade in Caerphilly town in 2023. Also, a possible static display around Christmas 2022. It was suggested that this might form part of the town’s annual Festival of Light. Roger agreed to look at this further.
The clear away on the Sunday morning was done in record time.
Our own caterers and our own hospitality food donations were excellent.
Thank you to the girls for sorting the raffle. It was agreed that in the future we would restrict the number of available raffle prizes to a maximum of fifty, all of which would be checked beforehand to ensure they were suitable.,
Thank you to our disco man who freely donated his services.
Thank you to our van drivers and providers.
Thank you to our inscription people.
Downsides:
The site set up took longer than we would like as some of our equipment could not be identified for example the party tent – this has now been labelled, thanks to one of the new members.
Inscriptions were down on 2018; we had 81 this year compared to 107 in 2018, a definite sign of the times. However, this has been a very similar situation for all other 2022 Wing Dings where inscription numbers have been published.
9 tent pegs, metal and plastic we think were found on the site despite a sweep; perhaps we need more people to do this on the Sunday lunchtime together with a possible metal detector.
Showers could have been much better, shower heads need descaling and water pressure was not always adequate. The rugby club have been advised and will investigate what can be done.
A very low member turn out for the following Monday to restock the container, only three people turned up, greater support needed.
The Saturday entertainment was very poorly attended; with hindsight we should have cancelled this as it had to be held indoors because of music licence restrictions. We will need to address whether we need this type of entertainment in the future.
Unfortunately, some South Walians did not support our prestige event in any way despite having twelve months’ notice of the dates. This is very disappointing.
We need to be careful when filling goody bags to avoid duplication of some items. For example, certain goody bags had six copies of the Transporter Bridge note whereas others did not have one despite 120 being printed.
Agreed that we do not need an open urinal on the field, perhaps an extra portaloo instead. Because of the close proximity to the field of 24/7 toilets there is no need for a Saturday clean.
Our container needs to be re-sorted at some time and ditch what we know we will not need.
Overall, it was agreed that the event was very successful and well worth it, up to our very high standard, the camaraderie was excellent.
4 We have since the Wing Ding received an anonymous donation of £100 to the Blood Bikes Wales raffle & head shave making it now £2,000 raised.
5 An Email had been received from Yetti the Rep of Capital Wings, on behalf of Alan Russell, to thank all of us for looking after him so well following his stroke. He is now on the mend.
6 Malcolm reported that three Wings had attended the Porthcawl Lions Vintage Fayre at Pyle RFC on Saturday 13 August; a very warm day, thanks for the gazebo which made things a little more comfortable. The event was not as well supported by the public as in previous years but plenty of interest in the Wings.
7 We have received an invitation to show the Wings at the Classic Car Show & Country Fayre, Fonmon Castle, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan on Saturday 17 September 0930 to 1800. Names to Barry please. Meet up arrangements next month.
8 The British Treffen PR Officer has been circulating lots of information about the event please make sure you read the emails sent out by Barry.
9 South Walians going to the British Treffen at Uttoxeter are travelling every day to the event from Monday 22 August. If you want to travel in convoy, please contact Barry for meet up arrangements.
10 Events coming up:
a. British Treffen Uttoxeter Racecourse Thursday August 25 to Bank Holiday Monday August 29.
b. Classic Car Show & Country Fayre, Fonmon Castle on Saturday 17 September, 2022, 0930 to 1800.
11 Finances as at 5 August:
a. Current Account £305.15, Deposit Account £6,994.67 (this includes the Wing Ding monies and the money raised for Blood Bikes Wales).
12 The raffle raised £34.00 for regional funds, thanks to you all.
13 The date of our next meeting is Sunday, 11 September, 2022, starting at 1830 at Taffs Well RFC.
Treffen Prices:
40th Anniversary British Treffen prices.
We’ve had a couple of enquiries regarding costs to get in, especially day visitors.
Inscription opens at 12 noon on Thursday 25th August.
GWOCGB / GWEF £48 each
Non – members £70 each
DAY VISITORS
GWOCGB / GWEF £12 each
Non – members £18 each
Cheryl
on behalf of Tony P
Ride safe and stay healthy.
South Wales Wings 