LAA Strut News
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Struts 4U
he pleasure of being able to return to the LAA Rally after two years of going through a shared experience of months of isolation and lack of physical gatherings, was not to be underestimated. The new set-up at the Rally also meant that the prominence of our Struts stand in the LAA Marquee was a real bonus and was enjoyed by all. Cake and refreshments were available, hosted by Ian and Jan Atherton, and David Millin, our LAA board Strut Coordinator, welcomed visitors throughout the three days. However, for some the Rally lasts for a week, and all the hard work by the Rally Workers Strut, led by Paul Lawrence, had to be seen to be appreciated. As in previous years, the RW Strut had been on site several days before the gates opened, and stayed until the day after the Rally finished to make sure the site was cleared. A totally new lay-out of the whole LAA ‘village’, making it easier for traders to have their own space, had required detailed planning and the Rally Workers were rewarded with their own marquee on the other side of the road for much needed ‘downtime’. Car parking duties and continual monitoring of the site kept the team and their canine companions busy day and night, and we applaud them all for their part, often as the unsung heroes of the Rally, for keeping things running smoothly. Thanks again Paul and team for all your hard work. We were fortunate to have a good display of Strut banners in the Strut marquee, but one left visitors a little
by Anne Hughes
The LAA Rally makes a welcome return… Above The Rally Workers Strut who worked very hard to make sure the Rally site was ready for the weekend and then cleared it all away again! Photo: Paul Lawrence
Below left Rally Chairman Eryl Smith cuts the 75th Anniversary cake with Jan Atherton, who baked it, and Dave Millin. Photo: Neil Wilson Below right Getting ready for the onslaught, Dave Millin, the Board’s Strut co-ordinator, on the Strut stand. Photo: Anne Hughes
mystified. An older version of the map of the Struts was on display which left members asking for details of the Fenland and Norfolk Struts, which are now amalgamated with the Suffolk Coastal Strut. Conversation ensued regarding the re-establishing of some of the former Struts or setting up Struts in other areas. We do receive these enquiries from time to time so in a later issue of LA we will set out the criteria for setting up a new Strut. In the meantime, do get in touch with David Millin if you are considering forming a new Strut or group. David writes, “Through meeting visitors at the Rally, it was evident that everyone was absolutely delighted to be able to take part and to meet up once more. Two years is not really a long time in the life span of man, but time is our most valuable commodity and missing out on last year’s Rally seemed to make it feel like a long time since we last got together. Anyway, we were all glad to be back. “Organising the Rally had not been an easy task, especially in the light of continued uncertainty as to
52 | LIGHT AVIATION | October 2021
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