North East Kite Fliers

[Alan Poxon]

Hi everyone,

we would like to officially invite the North East Kite fliers to the Third Bolton Abbey Kite Festival, on 2nd & 3rd October 2010. You are all very welcome.

CAMPING
For those of you wishing to camp, the location is approximately the same as last year; but at the back of the Bolton Abbey Car Park instead of at the side. Although this isn’t on the flying site, the good news is that the flying site is much closer this year.

Camping is available free of charge from Friday evening until Monday morning; prior notice would be much appreciated.

Please respect other peoples privacy and peace. Please also make arrangements to take your refuse away with you.

FLYING
The flying area for Club fliers has changed this year to what we hope will be a much better field, which is adjacent to the B6160 (the road from the roundabout into Bolton Abbey) between the Devonshire Arms Country Hotel and Bolton Abbey village. This is a more elevated area than down by the Priory, and may even be without the 'natural hazards' which we've encountered in the past (we'll have to wait and see). Additionally, we hope to have vehicle access to the site for the fliers only, so that carrying is not an issue.

We have asked for height clearance to 500 feet for the weekend, but cannot exceed this because of the flight path of Leeds Bradford Airport.

We are also unable to fly by the river after the deadline of 5.30pm, as the site has to be clear during the evening and night time.

A kitefliers briefing will take place at the camp site between 9:00 & 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday, to to explain the arrangements and limitations.

We are hoping to have another friendly kite festival where the interested public can approach the fliers and chat, so the public will be allowed into the flying area, although they will be encouraged to fly their own kites by the Priory or the Sandholme Car Park. Don’t worry, there will be a copious number of signs as last year.

A map of the areas we have considered suitable for flying is available if anyone is interested, and I can e-mail it to you if you ask. Not all of the estate is directly accessible although some are close walking distance to the camp site, and others have closer car parking. You are free to use the Sandholme Car Park if you wish to fly in those areas. Your Club membership card will allow you free entry into the car parks.

TRADERS
Go Kites have agreed to come again this year, and hopefully we may have another. We are very happy that they have agreed to come, and intend that they can set up in the Bolton Abbey Car Park, adjacent to the camping area. This should give them direct access to facilities and of course the public who will park there.

SATURDAY NIGHT
We are hoping to have the small social gathering again on Saturday evening, so do come prepared for that (bring whatever you would most like to drink).

Here’s hoping for a really great weekend, there can't surely be as much wind as last year! Good flying to the other events happening on that weekend too.

Regards,

Alan Poxon & Sarah-Jane Stapleton (Visitor Supervisor, Bolton Abbey)
alan@kitemaker.co.uk
Alan's mobile: 07989 441476
Bolton Abbey: 01756 718009

[Alan Poxon]

Hi again,

Oops!

Well spotted John, the camping is available from Friday AFTERNOON. You can come over and start your weekend earlier, so that by Friday evening you can be relaxing with a cocktail in your hand.

I think everything else is correct.

Regards,

Alan.

[Alan Poxon]

Hi everyone,

just a quick update on the event this year.

Things are going well and just about everything is organised (Becky's been cooking, and our house smells great!) but when I went up to the estate yesterday to do a final check, I found 'Diversion' signs on the A59. There has been a landslip at Blubberhouses on the A59 East of Bolton Abbey, that's between there and Menwith Hill crossroads (where the RAF Golf-balls are) on the road to Harrogate.

If you are coming up the M1 or A1 I would advise coming off at Weatherby and coming via the A659 (past Harewood) and through Otley, Ilkley, and turn towards Bolton Abbey from Addingham. I appreciate that it's a slower road, but I'm told the A59 diversion is quite long and slow.

If you are coming from the North-East, I'm not really sure what to suggest, other then come down past Harrogate and use the same route, unless you fancy a really scenic drive from Ripon, Leyburn, and up and over Buckden, Kettlwell etc.

People travelling from the West will have no problems. You will see Diversion signs on the A65/A59 roundabout just above Skipton, but you don't need to follow them, as the blockage is after Bolton Abbey.

The best course of action is to use whichever traffic information you prefer before starting the journey, as the road may have been cleared in time for the weekend (I'm told they've been working on it all week).

Also, the field we are using this year was inspected yesterday and found to be... clear of animal residue! However, I think the weather has beaten the farmer and the grass has not been cut, so I would suggest that you all bring wellingtons as it is quite long. I would also ask you to have a look at the field before you take vehicles on there, as some of the undulations are hidden by the grass now.

Other than that, I hope we're in for a great weekend. Remember your Club membership cards, so that you can get into the car parks for free, and we'll see you there.

Alan & Becky, and Sarah-Jane.

[Pete Sturrs]

For those who like a postcode for their Sat Nav I think BD23 6EX should work!

Metcheck.com is predicting winds of about 8mph and temperatures of about 12 C for both days. I hope these are accurate!!!
_________________
Pete

Member of Fusion - more than a little bit Piratey
www.fusionrevteam.co.uk

[Pete Sturrs]

Weather on Saturday still looks good, 9mph wind and no rain.
Not sure about Sunday.
_________________
Pete

Member of Fusion - more than a little bit Piratey
www.fusionrevteam.co.uk

[Pete Sturrs]

Great flying site, with lovely views, plenty of room for everybody including a red helicopter.
Will plan to do two days next year.
Thanks to Alan and Becky for organising such a good festival, hope Sunday is as good as Saturday.
_________________
Pete

Member of Fusion - more than a little bit Piratey
www.fusionrevteam.co.uk

[peterheayns]

What a weekend, Saturday was great, sunday was wet, very wet.
The change of venue for the flying field was great, good location and size, only problem the long grass, but we can live with that, it was good to see many NEKF members attending, our thoughts and prayers went out to those who could not be there.
The party on Saturday night was great as usual and there are rumours that next years event is to be called the Bolton Abbey Kite and Culinary Festival lol.
Once again a great effort by Alan and Becky, take a well earned pat on the back, you came up with the goods again, lets try for better weather next year Alan, get the prayer mat out.
I know l might be a bit biased l thought young Josh did really well with his multi kite flying, a great improvement over the last few weeks, yes before you all say it his ground crew need a bit of training, but once again thanks to Graham Lockwood and everyone else who is supporting him its appreciated.
Roll on one sky one world, see you all there.
Peter H