John Levesley declared the day a success with numbers up on last year’s estimate of 500 through the door. Most of the local groups were there and for us on the CAS stall it was certainly worth the effort. We had a steady trickle of interest in or activities and all the No. 5 newsletter I produced for the day were picked up. If you didn’t go or get one, it is posted on our new website. As for the bookstall, I can only declare that the heavy boxes Prue and I lugged in, in the morning were considerably lighter and less in number at the day’s end!. Thanks are due to Prue and Dave Freeman, who manned our stall all day.
As some of you are probably aware, Dick passed away in mid-March, finally succumbing to complications caused by his severe Rheumatoid arthritis. If you didn’t know him by name, he was the happy smiling chap who came to some of our meetings in a wheelchair, normally accompanied by his good friend and ‘chauffuer’, Ray. He was also a regular at the New Forest Aviation Group and had a life long interest in anything that flew, with or with out wings. I got to know Dick on our trip to Tangmere several years ago, after he had asked me for a lift. We hit it off straight away and remained good friends there after. It was difficult not to like Dick really, he always was upbeat, friendly and ready to talk on any number of subjects. He was always up for a trip out somewhere too, if only to give his wife Beryl a well earned break for a few hours. The daft thing is I only ever knew him sitting in his chair, but he’d have to remind me of the fact if we went anywhere so that I’d not forget to clear out the boot of my overworked car, to accommodate it. He rarely complained or even commented on this predicament unless it was to relate a comical aspect of being wheelchair bound, like when he got his new electric chair last year and being unaccustomed to its sudden burst of acceleration it shot him out and then tried to run him over!. The church was packed at Ashley for his funeral and his son, Neil , who had flown home from Australia, delivered the eulogy, commenting that his dad was never happier than when flying with one of his mates in a microlight, grinning from ear to ear with flies stuck all over his teeth!. Beryl received over 150 cards of sympathy including one with a Spitfire on it, with the comment inside explaining that the sender considered it most appropriate as Dick was also a superb fighter. To me, he taught us how we should deal with disabled people and how disabled people should behave, ….. completely normally. I’ll remember him as a good friend, and standing up. It was Dick’s wishes that his vast book and video collection go to good homes. It was a project we began last year with some success and I promised him I’d see it through. So tonight after the AGM while Prue is brewing the tea, I have the last few of his books and videos to give away. Call it an orphan’s auction.
CAS has bounded into the new century and gone digital!!. We are on the internet. It you are connected, it can be found at christchurchavsoc.co.uk and is looking good. Newsletters will be posted on it future so if you miss a meeting you can keep current with activities etc. by logging on. Steve Bishop, is responsible for this leap in image and as he is a webmaster by trade is ideal for the job, which he has volunteered his time and expertise to set up and maintain. If you like the look of his work and hear of someone looking to get a website set up, please give Steve a reference; his details are on the website.
In the March newsletter I published Bill Wooten’s story about the fire brigade’s involvement in the Britannia crash in 1958 at Winkton, well if you want the full story the Christchurch Historical Society, member John Peatey has produced one of those little volumes called ‘The Winkton Tragedy’ that is very good. especially as it is available at the lowly price of £2.50. He also has another one on the Valiant crash at Bransgore, in 1952, in the same format. Colin Pomeroy has his ‘Wings over Weymouth’ book out at last and is also very well put together, covering all aviation related events from that corner of Dorset. There are chapters covering the seaplane trials during the Great War, the Chesil beach bombing ranges and air-sea rescue units from WW2 and the coastguard operations in modern times to name just a few. More locally, Bill Hoodless has just produced a book covering the entire history of Hengistbury Head, that also has a complete chapter on RAF Southbourne and the WW2 radar site. including maps etc. There have been a number of books on this local landmark, but my personal belief is that this is the best I’ve seen. Entitled Hengistbury Head – The Whole Story’ it is aptly named. All these titles are available at the excellent Avon beach shop on Avon beach, along with another humourously entitled ‘Adolf Hitler’s Holiday Snaps’ which contains aerial photographs taken pre-war and in the 1940’s by the ‘Luftwaffe/Lufthansa’ reconnaissance flights. It covers the south of England generally but has a number of very good pictures of the local area which are interesting if only to note the changes in the landscape over the last 60 years.
If you door know someone who does, please contact me with your stories as I’m writing the war diary of the 405FG while at Christchurch this summer and would like to include the memories of local people who recall them being here in 1944.
May 12th (Fri)– “the Concorde Story” – Chris Orlibar - New Forest Aviation Group, Lyndhurst.
Held at Lyndhurst Community Centre, Lyndhurst Starts 7.30pm. Contact: Chris Gilbert-Norton 01202-434372
May 20th (Sat) Day of Morris Dancing at Elm Tree Pub, Hightown, Ringwood. Noon till closing. Sing-song in the evening.
This is an unashamed advert for an English Tradition Extravaganza arranged by you Sec. in his guise of Bagman for the New Forest Meddlars Morris. There will be a dozen sides on display, featuring all aspects of our countries fine dance traditions, and very colourful it will be too. A more happier gathering of folk you will not find all summer as far from the myth that Morris is embarrassing and danced by nutters, a more saner bunch of people at peace with themselves you will not find anywhere. Being self-conscious if you are going to go out in the Morris dress is hardly going to be an asset. The only aviation related item is a song about a hapless bomb-aimer that may get an airing it I can remember the words. We are also dancing out every Tuesday evening around the Forest pubs and Quay’s throughout the summer Details available from me or the local tourist offices as to venues etc.
May 29th (Mon) – Memorial day USA. FONFA are making arrangements to mark this day in some way to honour of the US servicemen who fell in service of their country and ours. Details to follow or nearer date on the FONFA website
June 9th (Fri) – ‘Russian Air Force Museum at Monimo’ by Simon Mutt - New Forest Aviation Group, Lyndhurst.
Held at Lyndhurst Community Centre, Lyndhurst Starts 7.30pm. Contact: Chris Gilbert-Norton 01202-434372
July 14th (Fri) – ‘History of Follands Aircraft’ by David Whately - New Forest Aviation Group, Lyndhurst.
Held at Lyndhurst Community Centre, Lyndhurst Starts 7.30pm. Contact: Chris Gilbert-Norton 01202-434372
August 20th (provisional date) Annual outdoor service at the Holmsley memorial - Details from FONFA Secretary John Levesley on 01425-672276.
Ron Palin sent me a story about a time when he flew in an Ambassador out of Christchurch a test flight but due to other commitments I haven’t had time to include it in this newsletter, but I will include it in the next issue so that’s something to look forward to. Apologies Ron. If any of you also feel like a ‘spot in the limelight’, stories are always welcome.
Well that’s if for this season, may I wish you all a pleasant summer and see you all in September. I’m off to polish my bells and whittle me stick ready for a summer of Morris dancing. Hey ho and nutting go….
Ian Claxton
Secretary