News Update August 2009

STOKE GOLDING STAKEOUT 2009

BEST YET!!!!!!

We knew the forecast was not good for Saturday but if we were to believe the Met Office we also had to believe that Sunday would be great. What a dilemma! We couldn't just cancel half of an event so we decided to run with it and hope that the forecast was right. 

Friday gave us good weather for the setting up and the evening was topped off with a bit of a get together in the food tent. Several people stayed over after a 'few' drinks'. 

Naturally as the organisers we resisted and went home for a good nights sleep. 

Saturday dawned and the forecast was spot on. We had had overcast skies and intermittent rain most of the day before the heavens really opened up. Despite this we had a couple of staunch determined inbounds including Captain Forrest & Co in a Taylorcraft, Mick Moulton in the Pink Peril and a visitor from afar for his first away landing in an immaculate BanBi. 

In true Brit spirit (or just desperation) we still managed to have a fun day helped along in no small way by the dulcet tones of MC Wakeling (who spared no-one with his electric razor sharp wit) and as the rain finally gave way to a fantastic sunset we seated around 40 people for the Sunset Fish & Chip Supper on the Apron… which actually took place in the food tent. 

Then came Sunday…. with a vengeance! 

Blue skies and a gentle breeze right down the slot enticed not just the planned Sunday inbounds but I think most of the frustrated Saturday inbounds also. Amazingly the runway was dry, firm and in near-perfect condition despite the rain that had fallen the previous day. 

The whole event was a tremendous success; we broke all previous inbound records with 104 aircraft in one day. Our previous best was 88 over two days making 2009 the one to remember! 

What we also remember is that an event like this doesn’t just happen… it requires a lot of work by a lot of people and a big thank you goes out to everyone that contributed in any way, shape or form. I don’t intend to name you all as I run the risk of missing someone out but basically the setting up, setting out, catering, marshalling, fuelling, booking-in, car parking, air-to-ground radio service, fire and rescue cover, music, commentary, video and photography all ran smoothly due to you all. Thank you. 

A special thank you goes to John Swain and his crew from ShowCom who despite the very sad loss of his father during the preceding days still managed the journey from Skegness on Saturday night to support us with the on-site PA equipment in true ‘the show must go on’ spirit. 

We are hoping to publish a DVD of the highlights of the event in due course and also a photo gallery of all the visiting aircraft. See our Fly-In page for more details.