A fun day for all to enjoy. With our youngsters away on Easter break it was time for the permanent club members to enjoy a great day’s soaring at Shawbury with, at various times, the whole fleet in the air.

First, an occasion of note. It was the CFI’s, Ian Gallacher’s birthday yesterday and today junior member Amelia brought cake in celebration of his momentous achievement of joining the under-70’s club. Cracking cake and many thanks Amelia.

Whilst the early morning mist burnt off there was time to get in some field landing checks with the TMG but it was clear that the thermals were popping early. For the first launch of the day we were delighted to welcome Nigel to the launch point after his long break through illness. After a couple of check rides that included a practice launch failure ,Nigel enjoyed his first solo flight in many months. Good to see you back Nigel.

The first wave launched at around 1100 and reported strong thermic activity which then persuaded the single seat jockeys to get on to the launch point, all heading for the same space in the sky!

The great conditions continued all day and the 2 seaters were also pressed into action for solo pilots. The only one not to stay up was the vicar. Launching in R66, the concrete swan (not to be confused with The Dear Leader also called Swan), the vicar scooted back claiming to have seen a Bird of Pray (geddit?). We all reckoned he was suffering from a skinful of Communion wine from last night!

What a cracking day with 26 launches and over 22 hours of flying time.

Having put the fleet to bed there was just time to squeeze in an AGM accompanied by bratties with thanks to Nick Lewinton. (An explanation for our younger members who have not had the privilidge of serving in BAOR. Bratwurst (German: [ˈbʁaːtvʊʁst] is a type of German sausage made from pork or, less commonly, beef or veal. The name is derived from the Old High German Brätwurst, from brät-, finely chopped meat, and Wurst, sausage, although in modern German it is often associated with the verb braten, to pan fry or roast. Beef and veal are usually incorporated amongst a blend often including pork. Bratties are normally accompanied by several Steins of beer.)

At the AGM the prestigious club “Ernst Pottawenis Memorial Trophy” was awarded to Colin Haynes in recognition of all his work last year to modify the launch point caravan!