STRUTS4U

The pleasure of being able to return to the LAA Rally after two years of going through a shared experience of months of isolation and lack of physical gatherings, was not to be underestimated. The new set-up at the Rally also meant that the prominence of our Struts stand in the LAA Marquee was a real bonus and was enjoyed by all. Cake and refreshments were available, hosted by Ian and Jan Atherton, and David Millin, our LAA board Strut Coordinator, welcomed visitors throughout the three days.

However, for some the Rally lasts for a week, and all the hard work by the Rally Workers Strut, led by Paul Lawrence, had to be seen to be appreciated. As in previous years, the RW Strut had been on site several days before the gates opened, and stayed until the day after the Rally finished to make sure the site was cleared.

A totally new lay-out of the whole LAA ‘village’, making it easier for traders to have their own space, had required detailed planning and the Rally Workers were rewarded with their own marquee on the other side of the road for much needed ‘downtime’. Car parking duties and continual monitoring of the site kept the team and their canine companions busy day and night, and we applaud them all for their part, often as the unsung heroes of the Rally, for keeping things running smoothly. Thanks again Paul and team for all your hard work.

We were fortunate to have a good display of Strut banners in the Strut marquee, but one left visitors a little

Struts 4U by Anne Hughes

Above The Rally mystified. An older version of the map of the Struts was on Workers Strut who display which left members asking for details of the worked very hard to make sure the Rally Fenland and Norfolk Struts, which are now amalgamated site was ready for the with the Suffolk Coastal Strut. Conversation ensued weekend and then regarding the re-establishing of some of the former Struts cleared it all away or setting up Struts in other areas. We do receive these again! Photo: Paul Lawrence enquiries from time to time so in a later issue of LA we will set out the criteria for setting up a new Strut. In the Below left Rally meantime, do get in touch with David Millin if you are Chairman Eryl Smith considering forming a new Strut or group. cuts the 75th David writes, “Through meeting visitors at the Rally, it Anniversary cake with Jan Atherton, who was evident that everyone was absolutely delighted to be baked it, and Dave able to take part and to meet up once more. Two years is Millin. Photo: Neil not really a long time in the life span of man, but time is Wilson our most valuable commodity and missing out on last Below right Getting year’s Rally seemed to make it feel like a long time since ready for the we last got together. Anyway, we were all glad to be onslaught, Dave back. Millin, the Board’s “Organising the Rally had not been an easy task, Strut co-ordinator, on especially in the light of continued uncertainty as to the Strut stand.

whether or not we would be able to continue. Thanks to the resolve of the Rally committee, led by Eryl Smith, we made it, and what a success it turned out to be. The new arrangement for the marquees proved to be popular, the campsite was full, the weather was reasonable, and four thousand visitors were in attendance.

“There have already been positive reports on the event so there is no need for me to reiterate what has been said, save that a good time was had by all. From a Struts and Clubs perspective, the ever-popular ‘Pilot’s Lounge’ in the form of the Struts and Clubs marquee, proved most popular with a huge number of people dropping by for tea and biscuits and a chance to meet up with old friends. Next time, we will develop the theme even further, with more seating for you to rest those weary feet.”

From the Vale of York Strut Chris Holliday commented, “Everyone from the Strut who made it to the Rally had a great time, it was wonderful to be able to meet friends and make new acquaintances again. The weather in the North was not too favourable on Friday, so some turned back. This was the first time I had flown in myself, and everything went very smoothly. The air/ground radio seemed to work very efficiently, and I do wonder if a FISO service would have been any better.”

For my part it was good to meet up with many of you whose names have appeared in this column over the last five years since we launched Struts4U, and I was honoured to receive the LAA’s David Faulkner-Bryant Shield from the man himself during the Rally. That was certainly a very special moment!

Andover Strut: Spitfire Club, Popham Airfield, SO21 3BD. 1930. Contact: Bob Howarth email: bobhowarth99@btinternet.com Phone no.: 01980 611124 11 October – AGM. 8 November – Round the World Journey by Colin Hales.

Bristol Strut: BAWA Club, Filton. 1930. Contact: chairman@bristolstrut.uk www. bristolstrut.uk 5 October – Bush flying in Labrador in the 1950s by Mike Fortescue. 2 November – The Grand Parton Flying Tour - Dawn to Dusk by Neville and Hannah Parton.

Cornwall Strut: The Clubhouse, Bodmin Airfield. Contact: Pete White pete@aeronca. co.uk 01752 406660

Devon Strut: The Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter. 1930. Contact: david.millin@ sea-sea.com 9 October – Fly-In at Branscombe.

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

East Midlands Strut: The Plough, Normanton on Soar. Contact: tonyrazzell2@gmail.com 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 12 October – Meeting 1930pm at the Victory Club. Highlands & Islands: Highland Aviation, Inverness Airport. Contact: b.w.spence@ btinternet.com 01381 620535.

Kent Strut: Cobtree Manor Golf Club, Maidstone, Kent. 2000. Contact: Steve Hoskins 07768 984507 hoskinsltd@outlook.com .

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

North East Strut: Fishburn Airfield. Brunch on the third Sunday of each month 1130-1330 at Fishburn Aviator Cafe. Contact: alannixon297@ btinternet.com

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

North Wales Strut: Caernarfon Airport, Dinas Dinlle. First Sunday of the month at HEMS Bistro Café. 1300. Contact: Gareth Roberts gtrwales@gmail.com 07876 483414.

Oxford Group: New Venue from 11 August – Sturdy’s Castle Country Inn, Banbury Road, Kidlington, OX5 3EP. 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 on the second Thursday of month. Contact: Keith Taylor bushebiggles@sky.com 14 October – Flying the SE5a, Spitfire and Lightning twin by Wing Commander Michael Brooke.

Southern Strut: The Swiss Cottage, Shoreham-by-Sea. 2000. First Wednesday of the month. 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. 1930. Contact: Martyn Steggalls 07790 925142 events@suffolkcoastalstrut.org. uk. Sept TBA – Weekend social and BBQ; 20 October – Above the Law by Adrian Bleese. (Meeting will be held at Stonham Village Hall, Forward Green, Earl Stonham, IP14 5HJ).

Vale of York Strut: Chocks Away Café, Rufforth East Airfield.19.00. Contact: Chris Holliday 07860 787801 valeofyorkstrutlaa@gmail.com www. valeofyorkstrutlaa.wordpress.com 15 October – Presentation on Strip flying.

Wessex Strut: Henstridge Airfield Clubhouse. Fortnightly Strut walks organised by Wessex Aviators Leisure Klub. Contact neil.wilson@laa. uk.com

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. 1900. Contact: Neil Geddes barnbethnkg@gmail.com 01505 612493.

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

Thank you to all Struts and clubs for getting in touch, and a special thanks to all those who sent their pull-up banners for the Strut and Club stand at the Rally. If you have any stories, items you wish to share or updates for the calendar, please contact me at struts@laa.uk.com