Present: J P A Freeman, James Tuke, Colin Highwood, Jenefer Gibson,

Roger Munn, Peter Sizer (for David Parker), Liz Fisher,

Miranda Kelly, Jerry Knight, Sue Line

Gill Gymer, Terry Hodges, David Parker, Brian Bristow,

Lyn Selby, Bridget Dungey, Bruce Abbott.

(2) Minutes of previous meeting were read and accepted and signed by the Chairman.

JPAF confirmed to Jenefer Gibson that the Sukhoi was still in Spain.

JPAF confirmed that permission had already been granted for the installation of reed beds to service the toilet facilities at the site. He was currently working on costings and installations for this environmentally friendly option for the disposal of waste.

JPAF confirmed that the application to operate propellor driven aircraft was in with MBC and a decision was awaited.

JPAF confirmed that the application for evening flying had also been made. He was hoping for a minimum of 2 years.

Peter Sizer, who was attending the meeting in place of David Parker, confirmed that a Planning Application had been made by Parkside Leisure Ltd (Marley Farm), part of which was to increase the number of lion cages at the Farm. JPAF on behalf of the aerodrome had raised concerns that the new cages would not have roofs. Ashford Borough Council had indicated that JPAFs objections had been read but that no action was to be taken by them on the planning front and had not recorded his objection in the Minutes. JPAF had written again to Ashford Borough Council expressing his concerns and asking whether there would be a further opportunity for him to emphasize them. Ashford Borough Council had been told that there would not be one and did not think it was their responsibility to push for roofs to cages to the lions enclosures.

It was understood that Parish Councillors had expressed concerns about further cages being built and would have liked netting on the roofs.

Headcorn Parachute Club had spoken to Parkside Leisure Ltd (Marley Farm) indicating their concerns. Parkside Leisure (Marley Farm) have previously been helpful with retrieval of canopies and a retrieval system was being discussed which might take place in the evenings. HPC were pleased that an avenue of communication had been established.

Jerry Knight queried whether lions were in fact still being kept at Marley Farm and Miranda Kelly confirmed this. She said that one tiger cage had a roof as tigers can climb and confirmed that new big cats were in a breeding programme and would be reintroduced into the wild.

Peter Sizer and JPAF confirmed that the aerodrome, and the Parachute Club specifically, would have no objection provided the cages were covered. Peter Sizer in fact understood that two existing enclosures were covered. HPC had felt it appropriate to draw the planning application to the attention of the British Parachute Association which was their governing body. Liz Fisher said that MBC had raised no objections to the planning application.

Peter Sizer confirmed that he and Richard Wiggins would be representing Great Britain at the World Championships in Parachuting, Peter Sizer in Russia and Richard Wiggins in Germany.

One letter had been received from a Staplehurst (Hawkenbury) resident and Roger Munn confirmed that he had already spoken to her by telephone. The complaint, as before, related to the turning point of the parachute aircraft in its circuit. Peter Sizer confirmed that, where possible, the turning point of the aircraft was varied to spread the load, but that there was a limit and if the aircraft turned earlier it would be over Frittenden village.

There followed a discussion on position and circuits.

JPAF referred to his records showing complaints. Mainly on this occasion they showed enquiries from people thinking of moving into the area and seeking to know what happens at the aerodrome.

It was felt that movements on the aerodrome were relatively low at this moment. Jerry Knight said he thought that a number of aircraft were off line, and Peter Sizer and James Tuke confirmed that they certainly felt the weather had affected their level of business.

Jennifer Gibson had had an enjoyable visit to the Museum. JPAF mentioned that the latest addition to the museum was a machine-gun post obtained from Manston. The Royal Engineers had dug it up and it had been brought to Headcorn. Trevor Matthews was very enthusiastic about it. JPAF confirmed that it needed to be taken apart and resealed and then earthed up.

The date of the next meeting was agreed at Tuesday 10^th October at 2.30 in Wings and the meeting closed at 3.05 pm