STRUTS4U

Struts 4U

by Anne Hughes

In August 1992 a new editor, Roger Jones, took over the editorship of the PFA’s Popular Flying, bi-monthly magazine. The magazine’s regular feature for Struts was headed Strutting Around, and the August magazine heralded a new compiler for this three- page feature.

The new incumbent, who took over from Alan Lovejoy, was

Brian Hope who was the chairman and newsletter editor for the Mid Kent Strut.

Brian described himself as an enthusiastic advocate of the Strut system and went on to say, “There are currently 43

Struts throughout the UK, many in a healthy and active state but others are teetering on the edge of extinction.”

At that time about 25% of the 7,000-plus PFA members also belonged to a local Strut. Brian wrote, “A Strut must encompass all the diverse aspects of the PFA membership; builders, owners, armchair enthusiasts et al.”

I would echo Brian’s words from 29 years ago, and also his encouragement to members to visit their local

Strut and ‘…if for any reason you are less than impressed, make constructive criticism and volunteer to help!’

Brian was also keen to point out that much of the column comes from the Struts themselves with news of their events, which is often to be found in their newsletters. However, in the early 1990s many of us were just becoming aware of a new machine called a ‘computer’ and few had purchased the space-consuming equipment required to operate the most basic of programmes. Newsletters and communication were still via ‘snail mail’ with the old Banda machine churning out A4 missives from editors which were sent to members. The cost of postage and print limited the length of publications and, in those pre-email days, Brian included postal addresses in his columns for Strut contacts.

During the 1990s Brian was able to continue publishing a list of over 40 Struts and continued to include news from the far north of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall. At the end of 1994 Roger Jones announced that Brian was retiring from Strutting Around, and Eryl Crump took up the reins, followed by Paul Lawrence.

It was in 2001 that Brian took over the editorship of Popular Flying and introduced Strut Spotlight to the magazine. With the era of ‘online’ communication now becoming a familiar and useful method of relaying information, the PFA website now included the Strut lists, formerly published in the magazine. Brian’s commitment to the PFA/ LAA Struts column continued, with a published list also included from time to time. In 2016 I suggested that a regular column be reinstated in the LAA’s Light Aviation under the title of

Above Two of the Travel Airs which celebrated our LAA Fly-it Day in Flabob, California.

Below Some of Brian’s Strutting Around columns from the early 1990s.

Struts4U and, after further discussions, it was decided that we would try a new format. Many of the problems that Brian had encountered in the compilation of a regular, but now monthly, feature were still there but, with his encouragement and positive approach, we find ourselves in the sixth year of producing a column designed to keep members up to date with Strut news. With the introduction of online newsletters and email communication many of the problems of 20 years ago have been resolved.

As an editor covering all stories from the LAA, Brian has also fully supported our initiatives in setting up an Aviation Art Contest for young people for the UK which feeds into the FAI annual competition. We were pleased to see Brian arrive at one of our regular Art sessions at the Old Warden Air Show in July 2019 and introduced him to Guild of Aviation Artists member Phil Jackson, who supports us at all these events. It is a credit to Brian’s good humour that he accepted Phil’s offer to draw a cartoon, in public, and the results, as you can Above Aviation artist Phil Jackson’s caricature of LAA’s editor Brian Hope. see, are on this page. The picture encapsulates Brian’s personality and it was good to be on the other side of Brian’s ever-present camera for a change. I would like to thank Brian for all his help and support over the last five years since we decided to incorporate the new Struts4U column in the magazine and say what a privilege it has been to follow in the footsteps of such a dedicated editor who once graced the pages with his words in the Strutting

Around column. Very best wishes Brian for the future on behalf of all our regular readers.

A number of Struts held Fly-it Day events despite generally inclement weather restricting flying. Wessex Strut’s twinned ‘Strut’ at Flabob Airfield in California had no such problems, however, and flew several vintage aircraft including an N-3N Stearman and several Travel Airs on the day. When lining up for take-off they all said ‘Happy Anniversary LAA’, so thank you to our American friends for joining us on our 75th Anniversary.

A very Happy Christmas to you all and I look forward to seeing you in 2022! ■

Strut Calendar

Throughout the winter there will be a mix of programmes for the Struts, some of whom are returning to meeting in person and others are planning to use the Zoom format. As Struts often publish programme details very near to the date of the event in the winter, it is always best to check with your local Strut to make sure you are up to date with programmes and arrangements. They would certainly love to see you – one way or another!

Andover Strut: Spitfire Club, Popham Airfield, SO21 3BD. 1930. Contact: Bob Howarth 01980 611124 / bobhowarth99@btinternet.com : 13 December – Christmas Quiz and refreshments. Bristol Strut: BAWA Club, Filton, 1930. TBC. Contact: chairman@bristolstrut.uk www.bristolstrut.uk Cornwall Strut: The Clubhouse, Bodmin Airfield. Virtual Zoom meetings throughout winter months. Contact: Pete White pete@aeronca. co.uk / 01752 406660 Devon Strut: The Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter. 1930. david.millin@sea-sea.com 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 Highlands & Islands: Highland Aviation, Inverness Airport. Contact: b.w.spence@ btinternet.com / 01381 620535. Kent Strut: Cobtree Manor Golf Club, Maidstone, Kent. 2.00 . Contact: Steve Hoskins hoskinsltd@outlook.com / 07768 984507. 4 December – Christmas Dinner 27 January – Kent Strut AGM. LiNSY Trent Valley Strut: Trent Valley Gliding Club, Kirton Lindsey. 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: cliffmort@ btinternet.com / 07813 497427. 7 December – Christmas Dinner and Quiz. North Wales Strut: Caernarfon Airport, Dinas Dinlle. First Sunday of the month – HEMS Bistro Café. 1300. Contact: Gareth Roberts gtrwales@ gmail.com / 07876 483414. Oxford Group: Sturdy’s Castle Country Inn, Banbury Road, Kidlington, OX5 3EP. Second Wednesday each month. Contact LAAOxford@ gmail.com www.oxfordlaa.co.uk 8 December – Christmas Meal (pre-booked only). 12 January – AGM. 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 the month. Contact: Keith Taylor bushebiggles@sky.com 9 December – A Captain’s Career in British Airways by Catherine Burton. Southern Strut: The Swiss Cottage, Shorehamby-Sea. First Wednesday of the month 2000. Contact: Tony Palmer palmersfarm@sky.com 1 December – Christmas Dinner at Tollgate Hotel, Bramber (pre-booked only). Strathtay Strut: Scottish Aero Club, Perth Airport, Scone. Scone Clubhouse. 07785 244146. keith.boardman@peopleserve.co.uk / Suffolk Coastal Strut: Earl Stonham Village Hall, IP14 5HJ. 1930. Contact: Martyn Steggalls events@suffolkcoastalstrut.org.uk / 07790 925142 15 December – Chairman’s Quiz and Christmas nibbles. 18 January – Guest Speaker TBC. Vale of York Strut: Chocks Away Café, Rufforth East Airfield. 1900. Contact: Chris Holliday 07860 787801 valeofyorkstrutlaa@gmail.com www.valeofyorkstrutlaa.wordpress.com Wessex Strut: Henstridge Airfield Clubhouse. Monthly meetings on the third Monday of the month. Local fortnightly Strut walks organised by Wessex Aviators Leisure Klub. Contact: neil. wilson@laa.uk.com neil.harriers@btinternet.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. 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. Please remember to let me know if there are any changes of personnel or meeting venues etc., and of course, if you have any stories or items you wish to share, I will be delighted to receive them. You can contact me at struts@laa.uk.com.