STRUTS4U

We are beginning to see the return of gatherings planned for the summer months in our Struts’ calendar, plus we are returning to our normal preoccupation when it comes to dates – the British weather! We are certainly due a dose of blue skies and balmy flying days.

As you will know, the Struts have been very active over the last few months in adapting to an ever-changing situation and recently we were able to ‘meet up’ at a Strut leaders’ Zoom meeting. It was good to see Strut representatives from Bodmin in the South West, to the North of Scotland at the meeting, which was held online in May. In all, nearly 20 Struts and several LAA member clubs were represented, and the evening was hosted by the LAA’s Strut Coordinator, David Millin.

Among the agenda items was an opportunity for leaders to share their Strut ‘lockdown’ experiences, and there was positive feedback regarding the use of Zoom for many meetings over the last year. It was felt that online meetings gave opportunities for a wider audience, and a more diverse selection of speakers sharing a broad range of subject matter of general interest. The format had also been used by many of the Member Clubs, including the Europa and Vintage Aircraft Struts 4U Clubs, which enabled members from abroad to share an evening by Anne Hugheswith UK members as a social, as well as informative, event. Trevor Wilcock from the Bristol Strut had said previously, Above Bristol Strut’s The LAA Rally will take place at Sywell 3 -5 September “Zoom is a poor substitute for our usual opportunities to chat Mary Leader is often and is eagerly anticipated! However, not only is there a huge at BAWA, but it has been useful in maintaining some accompanied on Zoom meetings by amount of forward planning, especially with the uncertainties cohesion and keeping members up to date with Brexit her pet lovebird, regarding potential Covid-19 government guidelines, but the changes, and Covid extensions and exemptions over the Pico. event relies on an army of volunteers for several days before past few months. It gives the opportunity for members of and during the event. The Strut leaders were asked to ‘round other Struts to join in – and for me to eavesdrop on other Below The Rally up the troops’ from Strut membership to help with the set-up Struts! We have also enjoyed the company of Strut Secretary team is looking for volunteers, why not from 31 August. Camping facilities will be available and there Mary Leader and her lovebird Pico, who is always happy to come early and join is accommodation locally with plenty of opportunities to join in with a CHIRP report or Listening Squawk!” in the fun! socialise as the team effort clicks into action.

Many felt that all the Struts and Clubs would use this There is also an opportunity for Strut members to format for some future meetings, but there is no substitute for volunteer in the Struts area in the new LAA village area, meeting up in person, especially for fly-ins, and general where the Strut banners will be on display, creating a space social events, which will never be taken for granted again! It for representatives to chat over a cup of tea or coffee about was also noted that some members were excluded from local activities. Over the last few years this area of the Rally online events as the technology was not available to them. has become increasingly popular, especially when the Strut

50th birthday was celebrated with cake for all. Please get in touch with your local Strut (contact details on the Strut calendar page) if you would like to find out more about how you can get involved.

We were also reminded that copies of the LAA’s booklet for 7–11-year-olds, An Airfield Adventure, has been sent out to all the Struts for use during fly-ins and gatherings with the aim of encouraging young people to have a close look at the airfield they are visiting. If you can use these booklets at any of the venues you plan to visit, please contact your local Strut or email office@laa.uk.co.

We look forward to seeing you at the events organised for the summer and especially those which will be celebrating the LAA’s 75th birthday. On behalf of the Struts, I would like to extend a vote of thanks to those who have been working away throughout the last year to produce regular Strut Newsletters, and to all who have mastered the art of arranging and hosting the Zoom meetings that so many of us have enjoyed. You have all helped to keep us informed and engaged, and many have made new friends across the airwaves.

Strut calendar

At this time some Struts are continuing their monthly meetings using Zoom and you are welcome to contact any Strut should you be interested in the advertised

talk or to find out if fly-ins, fly-outs or BBQ’s have been arranged.

Andover Strut: Spitfire Club, Popham Airfield, SO21 3BD. 1930. Contact keith.picton@ntlworld.com

Bristol Strut: BAWA Club, Filton. 1930. Contact: chairman@bristolstrut.uk www. bristolstrut.uk 1 June – Zoom. Aeronautical Research at RAE Bedford by Barry Tomlinson.

Cornwall Strut: The Clubhouse, Bodmin Airfield. Contact: Pete White pete@aeronca.co.uk 01752 406660 5 July - LAA Tour of England. The tour will call into Bodmin Airfield on Monday and use it as a night stop.

Devon Strut: The Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter. 1930. Contact: david.millin@sea-sea.com 26 June - Terry Case Memorial Fly-In at Farway Common. 17 July - Branscombe, Devon Strut fly-in.

East of Scotland Strut: Harrow Hotel, Dalkeith. 2000. Contact: inrgibson001@btinternet.com 0131 339 2351.

East Midlands Strut: Please contact: tonyrazzell2@gmail.com 14 June – (Zoom) AGM, plus a Strut discussion on the implications of the recent CAA 2021/2022 Change Programme. We also have a Facebook group and upload recordings of some meetings where we have speakers.

Gloster Strut: The Victory Club, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2SY. Contact: harry.hopkins@talktalk.net Highlands & Islands: Highland Aviation, Inverness Airport. Contact: b.w.spence@btinternet.com 01381 620535. 19/20 June – Easter Airfield Fly-In (provisional dates).

Kent Strut: Cobtree Manor Golf Club, Maidstone, Kent. 2000 (Currently Zoom). Contact: Steve Hoskins hoskinsltd@outlook.com 07768 984507. 11 July – Kent Strut Fly-in at Headcorn, half-price landing.

LiNSY Trent Valley Strut: Trent Valley Gliding Club, Kirton Lindsey. pilotbarry1951@gmail. com http://linsystrut.wixsite.com/website

North East Strut: Fishburn Airfield. Brunch. Third Sunday of each month. 1130-1330 at Fishburn Aviator Café. Contact: alannixon297@btinternet.com

North Western Strut: Veterans Lounge, Barton, Manchester, 1930 for 2000. Contact: cliffmort@btinternet.com 07813 497427.

North Wales Strut: Caernarfon Airport, Dinas Dinlle. HEMS Bistro Café 1300. Contact: Gareth Roberts gtrwales@gmail.com 07876 483414.

Oxford Group: New Venue TBC. Second Wednesday each month. Contact LAAOxford@gmail.com www.oxfordlaa.co.uk

Redhill Strut: The Dog and Duck, Outwood, Surrey, RH1 5QU. Third Tuesday of each month at 1930. Contact: david@milstead.me.uk

Shobdon Strut: Hotspur Café, Shobdon Airfield, Hereford HR6 9NR. 1930. Meetings (once lockdown completed) second Thursday of month. Contact: Keith Taylor bushebiggles@sky.com

Southern Strut: The Swiss Cottage, Shoreham-by-Sea. 2000. Normal meetings will resume on the first Wednesday of the month when permitted. Contact palmersfarm@sky.com Strathtay Strut: Scottish Aero Club, Perth Airport, Scone. Scone Clubhouse. Contact: keith.boardman@peopleserve.co.uk 07785 244146.

Suffolk Coastal Strut: Crowfield Airfield

Clubhouse. 1900. Contact: Martyn Steggalls events@suffolkcoastalstrut.org.uk 07790 925142. 23 June – Strut BBQ at Monewden Airfield – food served from 1930 10 July – Boxted Fly-in. Details/PPR at www.flytoboxted.co.uk

Vale of York Strut: Chocks Away Café, Rufforth East Airfield. Contact: Chris Holliday 07860 787801 valeofyorkstrutlaa@gmail.com www.valeofyorkstrutlaa.wordpress.com 4/5/6 June – Fly out to Old Warden/Duxford/ Cromer. 19/20 June – Longest day World Tour of Yorkshire, BBQ and camp at Eddsfield. 31July/1 August – Yorkshire weekend at Rufforth East Airfield.

Wessex Strut: Henstridge Airfield Clubhouse. Contact neil.wilson@laa.uk.com 4 July – Wessex Strut fly-in which is also a Meet the LAA Day.

West Midlands Strut: Navigator Café, Halfpenny Green Aerodrome 1930. Contact: Graham Wiley westmidlandslaastrut@ googlegroups.com Stuart Darby stuartdarby134@hotmail.com. or visit our website wmstrut.co.uk

West of Scotland Strut: Bowfield Country Club, Howwood, PA9 1DZ. 19.00. Contact: Neil Geddes barnbethnkg@gmail.com 01505 612493.

Youth & Education Support (YES) – Contact: Graham Wiley gw20home@outlook.com

NB: Thank you to all Struts and clubs for getting in touch. If you have any stories, items you wish to share or updates for the calendar, please feel free to contact me at struts@laa.uk.com