The Long Man is well known venue for leisure and competitive slope soaring and works in wind from SW to W to NW to North. It is a scenically very attractive location and is now a part of the South Downs National Park.
What many users of the slope may not realise is that slope soaring is only permitted under a licence granted by the landowner, the Folkington Estate. The other party to the licence agreement is the South East area of BMFA. Quite substantial license fees are due each year and The East Sussex Soaring Association is now funding the larger part of the annual fee with BMFA SE paying the rest.
So, this is a request to all slope soarers who appreciate the Long Man to give serious consideration to joining ESSA to continue to support flying there, and for clubs and groups who use the slope to consider making a donation to BMFA SE funds.
The long man has been a slope soaring site for at least forty years and we all need to make sure that it continues.
Ray Wells
Secretary – East Sussex Soaring Association.