AFTER 12 years at the helm, Dewi Edwards, a former bank manager from Hereford, has retired as chairman of Herefordshire Gliding Club.

During his tenure, he has overseen several changes, including the recent introduction of a new two-seat training glider, and also a brand new towplane.

The new glider launching tug is much more fuel efficient, and hence greener than its predecessor, resulting in fewer CO2 emissions, much less noise and reduced launch prices. Dewi intends to enjoy a well-earned rest flying his own glider.

New chairman Mike Hayes, an engineer from Woonton, explained that gliding is much more of a team sport than most people realise, as everybody has to work together to get the gliders airborne, and retrieve them after landing, which provides a very sociable and healthy day out.

Mike says "We are keen to attract new members, especially young people, and we have already arranged trial lessons for local Scouts and Air Cadets from Hereford and Leominster."