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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0786.PDF
780 FLIGHT, 19 June 1953 HAPPY RALLY A Memorable International Week-end in Yorkshire w; rITH very few exceptions, air rallies since the war have been one-way engagements; members of British flying clubs having been invited year by year to enjoy the hospitality of similar organizations in several Continental countries. Best known, perhaps, are the week-ends arranged for Royal Aero Club associates at Deauville and La Baule. But there have been many other more personal occasions in Holland, Belgium, Spain, and even farther afield. With charac teristic determination and hospitality the Yorkshire Aero plane Club, based at Sherburn-in-Elmet, decided as long as five years ago that they would try to return some of the kindness and generosity shown to their members flying abroad by running an invitation rally of their own. Now, in the fifth—Coronation—year, they have succeeded in organizing a most successful and enjoyable get-together for some seventy guests who arrived in 28 aircraft and represented eleven different nations. The Editor was among those fortunate enough to take part, and, with experience of many air rallies, Flight feels qualified to express an opinion on the organization at Sherburn and Harrogate. In our opinion there can seldom have been a better-managed affair or one with a more pleasant atmosphere. We know that in addition to the good fellowship all round, this is the result of experience carefully gathered from other rallies and of very hard and sympathetic work in preparation. All but the man himself, perhaps, would admit that a great deal of the credit is aue to Mr. Ronald H. Braime, the chairman of the Yorkshire Club—assisted by his vice-chairman, Mr. Arnold Wilson. But credits are not due only to the hosts; we have the greatest admiration for the guests—in particular, for Major and Mrs. Bremer who flew their vintage Junkers machine from Finland (it is an open tandem-cockpit type, 23 years old, and has flown round the world with the Major at the controls), and for Mr. Dardignac and passengers from Oran, who tackled a 3,000-mile round trip in their Norecrin. Members of other British Clubs who fly abroad will be glad to hear that several of their most cheerful hosts were present in Yorkshire—including Mr. Freddy van Gheluwe, president of the Association of Belgian Flying Clubs, and Mr. Rein Uges, heading a large contingent from Holland. France, Denmark and Luxembourg were also well represented, but unfortunately the Swiss contingent were unable to get through the bad weather. The well-balanced programme was, briefly, as follows : After arrival, lunch, drinks and hellos all round at Sherburn, everyone went by car or bus to Harrogate, where all were accommodated together at the Cairn Hydro Hotel. On both the Friday and Saturday evenings, dinner and dancing was arranged, and there were some toasts and speeches of welcome, reminiscence and thanks. On the first evening the Mayor of Harrogate, with the Mayoress, dined with the rally party, re sponded for the guests, and danced with them. Other speakers were Messrs. Braime, Arnold Wilson and—in most witty style— Jack Rice from Leicester, who proposed "The Club." MOSCOW t^^^^l^^iH &SLO szsiT (Top) At Bolton Abbey a fast time across the ancient stepping-stones is made in the presence of Danish, French, Italian and Belgian witnesses. (Lower) Indicative of the international outlook of the York shire Aeroplane Club is this signpost at their headquarters at Sherburn. (Left) Every visiting pilot received a tankard, and all other visitors an attractive silver Coronation dish. On the Saturday an enjoyable drive and walk to Bolton Abbey, with an excellent lunch at the Devonshire Arms Hotel, constituted the morning programme. The sun came out, the drive was not too long, and everyone was obviously happy to spend a few hours in the delightful Yorkshire countryside. At the Abbey there were those who refused to use the footbridge and instead splashed across the river by the ancient stepping stones. Tea was taken at Sion Hill, Kirby Wiske, at the fine home recently acquired by Mr. George Wiles, a Yorkshire Club member, who made all the rally his guests for an hour or two. At the final dinner every visiting pilot from abroad received a handsome silver tankard, and every passenger a silver coronation dish—souvenirs really to be treasured. A surprise for the York shire Club was the presentation by Mr. Uges of a lovely Delft dish of deepest blue from the Netherlands visitors. From the Belgian contingent the Club received a pennant and badge. On Sunday most guests took their leave from Sherburn around lunch-time, the talk being mainly of the fine weather, the even better forecast, and next year's Yorkshire rally. Wi/ting machines bringing the guests from eleven countries to Sherburn-in-Elmet. Less familiar types which may be recognized are the veteran Junkers Junior (left background), Norecrins, Fairchilds, KZ-3, Pipers and Ercoupes (foreground).
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