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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0924.PDF
OCTOBER 4, 1928 NORTHAMPTON AIR PAGEANT A Successful Debut THE Air Pageant organised by the new Northamptonshire Aero Club at their new aerodrome at Syweil, near Northamp- ton, on September 29, was on a far larger scale than most people anticipated for this time of the year, and it was a most successful debut, of which any club of greater experience in organising might easily have been proud. One believes ["FLIGHT" Photograpk "STAR TURN" AT NORTHAMPTON: Flying Officer R. L. R. Atcherley in a conventional position (for him) on his back in Flight-Lieut. Soden's " Genet- Moth" " OU " during a roll. He " shot up " the large crowd at Syweil on Saturday in his usual way, diving low and clearing with climbing rolls. that the club has not had so far that usual measure of outside support in the difficulties of formation and that the necessary outlay has come from the pockets of the directors. About /200 has already been spent on the new aerodrome alone. Proceedings started at Sywell with an excellent luncheon to visitors given by the club. Mr. W. Harris, chairman of the club, presided, and Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker was the chief guest. Sir Sefton did not arrive until late owing to bad weather around London delaying his departure by air. At 10 a.m. in the morning he was in Rotterdam. He flew to Croydon, then up to Sywell, where he arrived some time after 1 p.m. in the official D.H. " Moth X " (Cirrus Mk. II), G-EDCA, piloted by Flying-Officer Seeman. The toast of " The Visitors " was proposed by Capt. A. F. G. Renton, who referred to the presence of the lady- pilots, Miss \V. Spooner, Miss S O'Brien and Lady Heath, which drew appreciation. He also mentioned that Col. Bishop, V.C., had promised to attend but hit; doctors had forbidden him to, but he none the less promised every help in the future. Lady Heath replied, expressing thanks for the warm welcome received on landing and thanking the club for arranging a meeting at which pilots could gather at the end of the season. She congratulated the organisers on their foresight and initiative and mentioned that some time ago the idea of a riving club was formulated, but it did not mature. The collection of machines on the ground was a hall-mark of a more successful effort. Light aeroplanes had given them something wonderful as well as teaching young men and women to fly. They showed the district something of aviation and taught in a safe form. Clubs were a national asset. The Mayor of Northampton, Councillor ]. Rogers, then rose to propose the success of the club. He said he was strongly of the opinion that the day was coming when the commercial value of such clubs would be very great. He did not want Northampton to repeat the mistake it made with regard to the railways, and lag behind, not recognising the value such a club might be in the near future. He said that they, the older folk, were timorous of going in the air, although they expected to go there very shortly. This was an age for young people, and he believed in giving them every facility. At this moment in the proceedings Sir Sefton Brancker arrived (the luncheon was held in a tent on the aerodrome). He immediately rose and said that he had hunted in Northamptonshire and could say that flying was safer than riding with the Pytchley. In his old age he thought that flying was a good sport. The Government was already assisting a number of clubs financially, but the Northampton Club had come in too late. The Treasury was only allowing a small sum during the next two years, and that had been allocated. So the club could not live on the dole They would have to pay for their club. They could come to the Air Ministry with all their troubles except financial ones. The Government was extreme!v keen on the establishment Organisers and Supporters at Northampton: (left to right) The Hon.T.A.Verney Cave, Mr. G*. Linnell, Sir Sefton Brancker, Capt. J. Addis, Mr. E. R. King and Mr. J. Linnell. The two latter organisers are private owners of an Austin '' Whippet '' and " Cirrus- Moth " respectively. [" FLIGHT " Photograph 854
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