Slope Organisers Reports and Feedback
ASMK Committee from September 2010
Position Name
Slope Organiser Angus MacKay
Equipment Officer Vacant
Chair Person Judy Ekins
Treasurer Albert Antona
Records Officer/Secretary Jan Jones
Administration Brian Hucker
Administration Paul Stratford
Administration John Leonard
Local group Adviser Jan Williams
Fundraiser Vacant
DSUK Trustee Steve West
Skier Neil Haydon
Skier Sue Brown
GHI Bob Black
GHI Bridget Owen
GHI Dick Taylor
GHI Alli Taylor
Co-Opted for relevant meetings:
Liftee Operator Liaison Andy King
ASMK COMMITTEE - 2009 - 2010
SLOPE ORGANISERS: Bob Black & Bridget Owen
EQUIPMENT & SAFETY OFFICER: Richard Taylor
CHAIR PERSON: Dr Judy Ekins
TREASURER: Albert Antona
RECORDS OFFICER: Jan Jones
ADMINISTRATION: Brian Hucker
ADMINISTRATION: John Leonard
ADMINISTRATION: Paul Stratford
FUND RAISER: Ali Taylor
LOCAL GROUP ADVISOR: Jan Williams
DSUK TRUSTEE: Steve West
SKIER: Kieran Jones
SKIER: Sue Brown
SKIER: Neil Haydon
SKIER: Fran Brown
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May 2008
Thank you to everyone who took part in the May 25 ASMK session. A week prior we had talked about cancelling the session due to the volunteer numbers, however we had an amazing response to our plea for help with our regulars bringing along friends and relatives to assist with off slope activities.
Overall a very good but busy session.
Bob & Bridget
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27 April 2008
Hi All,
Many thanks for Sunday night. This was the first time we had run a second ASMK monthly session. After a few days of praying it worked very well.
I would like to say a big thank you to Jan Williams and Alan Burchett for their fantastic efforts.
Thanks and good luck to Alan & Kathryn Stainforth who we are losing for a few months as they venture into early retirement (they obviously do not run a building business - anyway they look too young!) Alan & Kathryn play a very big part in ASMK and will be sadly missed. Good luck to you both!
Thanks and best wishes to Roger for a speedy recovery following his operation. Roger has been a long serving helper & guide with BSCD and now with ASMK – a very loyal and popular man. He has had to step down from assisting at ASMK to concentrate on his recovery but hopes to be back skiing eventually and draws great strength from our band of disabled skiers. Get well soon
Could any skiers who attended last night please forward any ski holiday photo’s preferably stills as the guys from the Bedford College want to incorporate them with the filming into the DVD they are making of ASMK. At the 11 May session they also want to interview some of the skiers, so don’t forget to put the lippy on - that includes the ladies as well!
Well done and thank you.
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14/02/08
Hi All,
105, Not a bad score at darts, a very good cricket score by a batsman and a nice temperature. Also a record attendance at an ASMK session, that is how many attended this month.
The aim is not to have as many people attending as possible more to provide Adaptive Snowsports to as wide a spectrum as possible, delivering a very professional, polished, diligent, enjoyable and safe environment to learn in. As the session numbers increase none of the mentioned qualities are jeopardised.
This is due to the fact that all of the volunteers are an unselfish bunch of amazing people who give up their free time and pay their own costs to help Adaptive skiing. Many of you who come to ASMK have already attended another Adaptive group that day and when I see you before our session you all look shattered, but afterwards the look on your faces is one of pure satisfaction and the adrenaline you are feeling is something immeasurable.
I am a critical person with very high standards (expect in women, sorry Bridget!) but as I look back on these ASMK nights I am completely satisfied by everything and everybody. This is credit to you all!
Bridget and I are very lucky, proud and honoured to be associated with such an extraordinary bunch of people who share the same passion for Adaptive skiing.
THANK YOU
IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS TO ADD, GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.
Kind Regards,
Bob & Bridget
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14/01/08
Hi All,
What a night, we were around 20 people down from the last 2 sessions at approx. 70, comprising from skiers, guides, helper, instructors. It was probably the busiest session I have been involved with BSCD or ASMK.
The slope was very busy with Joe Public, we lost skiers and guides to courses and holidays, I have never know a night where all of the bi & mono skis were all out for both sessions. Never the less everybody played a magnificent part in this well oiled machine and the night was a huge success.
Many thanks to everybody who took part, without you we could not provide this invaluable service.
If you have any comments regarding the session, good, bad or indifferent, please do not hesitate to inform.
Kind Regards,
Bob & Bridget
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17/12/07
Hi All,
'Twas Sunday last, after a committee meeting and the BBC filming of Ray Edwards. At approx. 19.00 hours I stood on the bridge of HMS ASMK and watched our troops preparing to be jettisoned via poma onto and up the white hills of MK for what was to be our final assault of the year. Our foot soldiers took to the hills along with the Bi-111’s and the Mono-F14’S this was going to be a memorable night in the very short history of ASMK.
As with the events of the afternoon the evening appeared to be going well, then alarm bells! We had lost power to the RHS poma line, the assault ground to a halt. We had to radio to one of our support vessels, our sister ship HMS Snozone for assistance, who via boson’s chair sent over 2 very highly skilled technicians who were trained to work at great heights and in the adverse weather conditions we were experiencing.
As the queues were lengthening the look of panic and anticipation fell on the faces of our troops, could this night end prematurely and in failure, for once I felt helpless just watching the technicians scale the dizzy heights of each and every poma stanchion to carry out the necessary repairs. Along with the foot soldiers the flotilla of tiny craft all decked in yellow, pink and blue surrounding this mighty well oiled machine also fell silent, then with the push of a button we REGAINED POWER. The joy and jubilation amongst everybody connected with ASMK was evident and immeasurable. The hill once again was filled with the colourful spectacle of the yellow, pink and blue of the flotilla along with the Bi-111’s & Mono-F14’s, (both very powerful and sophisticated machines capable of providing snowsports activities to the disabled), we were back on course.
The evening progressed well and we looked set for victory, with 22.00 hours fast approaching, the soldiers and craft were preparing for their final descent of the hill. It was over, victory was ours, OUR FINEST HOURS.
Leaving the arena with faces marred with cold and snow and sweat, our battle weary troops were returning to the Snozone café for a quick debriefing before leaving HQ for the long trek across country to their respective bases. The Equipment Officer and his aides (who were magnificent tonight) were returning all of the equipment back to the lower decks and completed a quick inspection and maintenance check before storage.
Before attending the debrief I had a quick informal meeting with the Captain of HMS Snozone, he commented on our performance this evening and reported no problems, he was very pleased. I thanked him and his staff on behalf of everybody on board HMS ASMK.
I approached the debrief meeting and before entering the room I could hear some of the comments, “amazing, brilliant, great night” but to list a few. Upon entering the meeting I could now see these comments were coming from very Senior Officers who have been involved with Adaptive Snowsports for a long time. It was clear to see in their weary eyes of these same officers their comments were pure adrenalin based. The meeting was brief and the evening ended with the usual seasonal greetings, it was time to look back and reflect on the evening.
Unfortunately due to the signing of the Official Secrets act, I cannot divulge too much information, the only thing I can say is "I counted them all out, and I counted them all back."
Thank you to everybody who has supported us over the first few months of ASMK. It is an honour and a privilege to be associated with such an amazing group of people.
Kind Regards,
Bob & Bridget
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23/11/07
On behalf of everyone connected with ASMK, Slope Organisers Bob Black & Bridget Owen, would like to convey their sincere thanks to the staff and management of Milton Keynes Snozone
Bob, accompanied by Dick Taylor, recently held a very successful meeting with one of the managers of the Snozone. At this meeting Snozone demonstrated their commitment to, and support of ASMK in a practical and enthusiastic manner. This support is vital in enabling ASMK to continue to provide their service to the disabled people of Milton Keynes.
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16/11/07
Hi All,
As I stood on the white hills of Milton Keynes, I cast my eye over the white slopes and all the eye could see was the tidal wave of pink and yellow hi viz of our ASMK group. Something was wrong we had just over 80 people for the night and I had nobody for the second session. After sleepless nights thinking have we got enough equipment, guides etc. it all seemed to be working very well.
This is due to the magnificent effort by everybody that night, I was very proud to be associated with a group who all have the same motivation, there for the skiers, no ulterior motives.
With a group effort it is not ethical to praise individuals but that night the youngsters were incredible!!!
Finally I would really appreciate it if you have any constructive criticism or comments to add regarding the session or any other ASMK matter, please email me.
Many thanks from us both.
Kind Regards,
Bob & Bridget
