<p>Ray Jones</p>
<p>Model flying lost one of its larger than life characters when Ray Jones passed away 3<sup>rd</sup>February 2015.</p>
<p>Ray started to fly model aircraft as a young man as well as full size flying when he gained his PPL and also flew gliders. Some years ago he build a microlight for a friend and rumour has it that he managed a short flight in it himself. </p>
<p>He was rated as one of the most proficient model fliers in the country and was well known as a BMFA examiner. He was the person to whom the other modellers took their models for initial test flights and motivated many people to fly model aircraft especially the silent type. He was an 'organiser' and, as well as being at the heart of the Clwyd Soaring Club, he organised regular excursions to Dortmund Model Show and weekends to other soaring areas. </p>
<p>In addition to locating many wonderful soaring sites across North Wales, Ray developed a flat field site near Llay in North Wales and made himself responsible for its upkeep, he also arranged indoor flying activities which were starting to become very popular with club members. </p>
<p>Despite poor heath over the last few years, he continued to fly model aircraft and play drums in the band. His death was unexpected and he will be sorely missed.</p>
<p>Martyn Thatcher</p>
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<p><strong>A short history of Ray’s life – By Vic Steel <br /></strong></p>
<p>It has been my privilege to have known Ray for many years, stretching back over 40+ years. </p>
<p>We first met on Moel Famau when I turned up to do a bit of flying, we got on like a house on fire and he eventually talked me into joining the club. </p>
<p>Ray had many interests and apart from his Wife and Matt he had two great loves, one being music and the other flying. </p>
<p>I don’t know a great deal about his musical career other than one or two snippets he told me about. He first started drumming at about the age of ten by beating the hell out of an old biscuit tin in his Mother’s kitchen, Ray eventually went on to form his own band and entered a TV competition called the Hughie Green Show, which he won for seven weeks on the trot, the band then went on to back Lulu, the sixties rock singer, for a number of shows. </p>
<p>At the ripe old age of 16 his band was playing the clubs in Germany. Later in his life he joined the RAF for three years and became an Airframe fitter, it was during this period he met Ann and had to start behaving himself, so he took up modelling and at the same time he tried full size flying and obtained his pilot’s licence for power as well as gliders. </p>
<p>He continued with his music right up to the day he was called to that hole in the sky. </p>
<p>God rest his soul, he will be sorely missed.</p>
