Mere: Coward's Bowl: S-WSW; 720' asl; 200' ttb; (ST 806 345 - sheet 183), site code 2.037
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Sites Officer:
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Nick Somerville (01749 880579)
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Rating:
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Any rated pilot. No training.
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Permission:
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This is an Open Site. Please abide by Avon Club Rules and if you are not a club member read the section for Non-Members.
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Parking:
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Park on the main track, without blocking it or the gates into the surrounding fields. Do not drive into any of the fields.
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Rigging:
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Rig in the bowl behind take-off and in front of the fence.
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Take Offs:
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Anywhere in the bowl facing into the prevailing wind. Paragliders should not launch directly in front of rigging hang glider pilots. Be aware that in stronger winds it may not be possible to penetrate out from the bowl.
Also be aware that horses may be using the bridlepath running up the spur and may be spooked by inflating gliders.
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Local Flying:
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A good site for paraglider pilots and low airtime hang glider pilots when it is not crowded. If the wind direction is not SW the bowl can be turbulent, due to rotor caused by the spurs on either side. These conditions can lead to rapid height losses and canopy deflations, so you should always be aware of the true wind direction before flying. The bowl effect can make it look like the wind is smack on when it is coming more from the west or east. Don't hog the area in front of take-off making it difficult for others to launch.
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XC Flying:
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Can be difficult to get away from as you have to commit to leaving at a lower height than is usual. Be aware of the Salisbury Plain ranges which are 7 miles to the NE. Beware of the wild-life park at Longleat, 4 miles to the N.
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Top Landing:
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Can be difficult on a hang glider as the space is restricted. Land on the spur to the west in a SW-WSW wind or just behind the bowl in a S wind. Do not leave your glider in a place where it becomes an obstruction to others trying to land. Do not worry any farm animals that may be in the field. Paragliders can land in the bowl area. Be aware of the barbed wire fence and the numerous thorny bushes in the bowl. Do not land in any other top field or in Spencers Bowl.
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Bottom Landing:
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Bottom landing is only possible if the field below take-off is not in crop. If a disaster happens and you do land in the crops walk out causing the minimum amount of damage and apologise to the farmer at Wood Farm. On a paraglider there is plenty of space to land within the bowl area, but take care to avoid the small tree plantation at the very bottom.
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Telephones:
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Red Lion pub or Wood Farm.
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Hospitals:
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Frome or Bath.
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Directions:
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There are two ways to reach this site with the first being much kinder to your car given the current state of the track that runs across the top of the Downs.
- From Mere follow the B3092 in a NE direction out of town and up a steep hill for about 1.5 miles. At a gravel parking area turn sharp left onto a cinder track heading WNW. After half a mile you will pass the collection of gates where the access to the Rifle Range Site can be found on the left. A further 400m will bring you to the stile just before the aerial, again on your left. Park and walk across the field to a gate from where you can clearly see the flying bowl.
- Leave Frome going south on the B3092. Two miles after Maiden Bradley, turn left, immediately after the Red Lion pub, into Long Lane. (The Red Lion is under the red circle.) Follow the main track for about two miles until you see a water works site with a large aerial in a field to the right. Access to the site is along the small track to the works and then through a gate to the left. Close all gates.
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PHOTOS & OTHER INFO
MERE COWARD'S BOWL MAIN
This page last updated: 1st November, 2011
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