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The Golden Cross staff did a really good job, serving Pimm’s on arrival and a quality dinner in a room ideally suited to the occasion.
Thanks to the efforts of Simon Waterfall, we were privileged to have an after-dinner talk and presentation from Squadron Leader Jeff Hesketh of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whose insight into the activities of the BBMF, their purpose and achievements, held the room spellbound. Tales of his time in one of only two Lancasters left flying in the world today - not to mention the fabulous photographs and sounds of Merlin and Griffon engines - evoked admiration (and more than a little envy I suspect) from the pilots in the room. Keith Brackstone collected the Anorak award for his knowledge of the differing rotation direction of these engines and John Scott’s offer to take over Jeff’s flying role fell on deaf earsAfter his talk, Jeff was joined by CFI Frank Jeynes and Chairman Roger Bentley to present the club awards and trophies for 2011. The following Flying Awards were made:-
· Cairngorm Shield for height gain; Keith Brackstone and David Findon for 13,300ft from a 900’ winch launch at LLeweni Park.
· Club Ladder; 2010 Chris Morris, 2011 Joseph Westwood
· The Pilot Most Likely To; Douglas Wilkie, 17 year old who went solo on his 21st flight, 20 being the legal minimum.
· Bent Prop; Roger Bentley for his upside down landing in his Luscombe - and walking away from it of course.
Frank explained that additional Flying Awards would be made in 2012, to include;-
· The Greatest Distance Flown from Bidford and
· The CFI’s Award For the Most Meritorious Flight from Bidford
Roger nominated numerous club members for the Clubman of the Year Award, there having been so many great contributors to the club operation in 2011 but, to rapturous applause, the award and fabulous trophy went to Graham Wright, a truly popular choice for his unstinting work as secretary, weatherman and all-round ‘go to’ guy.
Special thanks, and a bouquet, were given to Shelagh for all her work keeping the office operating last year. Paul Turner, who has been doing a great job on the club’s finances, received a framed Abacus after admitting that he ‘might have been mistaken’ on a debatable accounting issue and the new ‘Piston Head’ award for notable performance seated behind any aviation-related engine, light aircraft, turbo glider, self-launcher or airfield tractor, was 
narrowly missed by Jon Wand after melting his prop in the ASH26 and went instead to John Scott for his outstanding aerobatic competition achievements.
In all then, a great night and the perfect ‘warm-up’ to what we all hope will be a superb, and safe, 2012 flying season at BGFC.
Finally, thanks must of course go to Simon Waterfall who organised this event so well.
Chris Morris
( photographs supplied by Sally Turner)
( photographs supplied by Sally Turner)
