Low cloud and drizzle kept the aircraft in the hangar and the pilots in the clubhouse.
A little work was undertaken with Jeff Craggs masterminding the refitting of the simulator blackout curtains and Bob Sansom repairing the tail ramp on his K8 trailer.
And then the somewhat sleepy day was brightened up by the visit of 2 ex members of the original gliding club to have used our site. We heard stories of how 40 years ago 2 embryo gliding clubs ( one with members from the Royal Naval Engineering College Manadon and the other a civilian club by the name of Albatross) hacked gaps into the gorse covered moorland which now forms part of our runway. They flew T21 and T31 aircraft using a barrage balloon winch and an old bus as clubhouse / launch hut and spoke fondly of the fun they had exploring the wave and thermals. Apparently these clubs flourished for a few years but lack of members saw their demise. DGS moved into the site 28 years ago. Our visitors were amazed to find a flourishing club on the old site and were particularly impressed by our wide clear runway; apparently they operated from, and landed in, gaps in the gorse???
Steve
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