Struts 4U

by Anne Hughes

The Oxford Group celebrated its 50th birthday on 9 February – which just happened to be its normal Strut evening. Memorabilia was on display and Rob Stobo shared minutes from the very first meetings. Jan Atherton provided a cake with sparklers, and we were pleased that Steve Slater joined the Oxford Group for the evening and, following a high-flying presentation on ‘Gliding the Waves’ by Andrew Reid, Steve cut the cake.

In 1972 the guest of honour had been David FaulknerBryant who, although unable to attend this time, sent the following message, “Congratulations to the Oxford Strut/ Group on its long-term and on-going achievement of 50 years of Flying For Fun, assisting in the growth and

Above Around 60 scouts enjoyed an Aviation Taster Day at Audley End Airfield with YES.

Below left The Oxford Group meeting for its 50th birthday… maintaining the continuing interest and industry of the home-built aircraft movement. You are truly part of the grass roots of our type of flying with all of its various branches!

Below …included a suitably decorated cake!

“Half a century is a testimony to the steadfast pursuit of our enduring aim to fly in freedom on home-made wings! The importance of the Strut network as a means of serving and maintaining the ongoing interests of the LAA membership cannot be overstated! There is a lot of experience (and grey hair) at meetings and rallies these days. The experience can be passed on – the grey hair can only be replaced by the next generation of likeminded enthusiasts and dreamers, who can pick up the baton and carry it onwards and ever UPWARDS! Your recent involvement with the Air Scouts is the way to go! Thank you Oxford for your contribution, it does not go unnoticed!”

In 1972 in the May/June edition of the PFA magazine, Popular Flying, DF-B had reported on the first official meeting of the Oxford Strut. In the company of Chairman Frank Parker, he had arrived at The Plough in Witney High Street, where they were greeted by George and Jenny Jeffrey. Around the pub fireside they found Alan Clewley, Jack Benson, David Schofield, Jack Eggleton, Dixie and David Walling and Les White. At the time the Strut’s aircraft included a VP-1, Luton Major, Taylor Monoplanes, a Tipsy B and

Taylor Titch! Well done Oxford for keeping the LAA Strut flag flying for 50 years.

In October the LAA Youth Education Support (YES) Strut, under the leadership of Stewart Luck, organised an Aviation Taster Day at Audley End Airfield in Essex.

Around 60 Scouts, Cubs and Air Scouts from the local area were treated to a multi-activity day where they were split into small groups and followed a timetable of events. This included an opportunity to be creative with an Aviation Art opportunity in the hangar with Phil Jackson and other GAvA artists who were holding one of their regular painting days at Audley End.

Other groups were able to meet pilots and spend time around designated aircraft. Many had fun making their own paper aeroplanes and gliders as well as enjoying a ride in a pedal plane. Workbooks were provided for the Scouts and the day contributed to their badges as they were also shown basic navigation skills, had an introductory talk on the theory of flight and operated the WWI VR simulator supplied by the WAT team.

The Mayor of Saffron Walden and other local dignitaries attended and were fascinated to see the enthusiasm of all concerned. Thanks go to Pete Wood and all at Audley End for hosting the day. Stewart is happy to discuss setting up similar activity days with Struts across the country where YES team members could support the day. If your Strut or airfield would like to be involved, Stewart’s contact details are in the calendar opposite. These days are of benefit to all the young people involved, giving them a unique opportunity to spend a day on an airfield, to the leaders of the groups and all volunteers who find the experience both inspiring and rewarding.

Echoing David Faulkner-Bryant’s words, the future of the LAA Struts and, indeed, of the LAA, will be in the hands of some of these young people who are already showing an enthusiasm for and commitment to light aviation. ■