In Days of Yore

In Days of Yore

Current members may be interested to read copies of the following two items from the past:

The following pictures showing something of the gliding activities at Booker during the early 60S. They were provided by Andy Baker.
More are to follow.


This photograph shows the old hangers and the blister hanger at around the time the M40 was being extended past High Wycombe - circa 1965 (a few months after the filming of *Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines.*)	A T21 approaching the M40 under construction - circa 1965	A club tug circa 1969. The picture show Doug Walker (back to camera), Brennig James holding the wing and Ian Aires swinging the prop. The gliding club is in the background

Possibly the very first launch point vehicle. The person on the left is Doug Clark and the lady keeping the log is Peggy Belbin.	While the club had a barrage balloon winch for cable launching (shown in the picture on the left), a member (Peter Ross) led the development of a launch point bus with internal winches.

The following pictures showing something of the gliding activities at Booker during the early 70s and 80s, were obtained by scanning some
old and photographs slides loaned by Gerry Leech.

If any member has similar slides or photographs they would like to have included in this archive library, please let me know.


Booker Comps 1971	Brennig James - first person to fly a 500K and at one time held the record for the most 750s flown He was credited with setting up the Thames Valley Gliding Club - later to form part of Booker GC		'Bungy' Baker and Rip Whiteman. Mr Baker was the first secretary of the Booker G.C.		Chris Tipney and Crew. '76 Regionals.

Derigging after outlanding Feb '76.	Condor glider - built by a BGC member.				Dart17r Booker

Bocian in the hedge. Written off.			Gerry Leech and Dave Margetts with K13 no. 421.		Gerry outlanding Feb '76.

Gull and Rhonbussard on dual tow.	In Chinnor field.		In playing field, Thame.		John, Nigel, Merial, Hilary and Verdun. '76 regionals.

Kab and Skylark. Notice the Ice cream van - the then launch-point vehicle.	Kerri in Skylark 4.		Tiger Moth Tug.		Mike Field and Friend in K13 no. 421.

Peter Marshall and Mandy. '76 Regionals.	Skylark and Pirat.		Sue with Rhonbussard.		Vilga tug and Pirat.

Booker K21 over France 1985		Gerry Leech after landing out on the Prince William playing fields -awaiting retrieve crew. 1974		Gerry Leech with Gladys Belson - mayor of High Wycombe - 1982

The following photographs were contributed by past member Alan Smith and cover events during 1989 - 2004


Aboyne 1995: Taken at Birkelunn. Left to Right back: Dave Richardson, Jane Moore, Hilary Luxton, Andreas Jeldon, Alan Smith Jane Lawrence, Bob Sinden, Alex Lewicka, Mike Shaw, blonde girl??,Sven Elgas, Jack Luxton		Taken at The Potarch Hotel, Aboyne Expedition (3/10/97) all in this pic did Diamond heights this day. L-R Paul Mellor, Colin Jackson, Dave Fogden, Jerry Leech, Bob Sinden, Ian Lingham, Danny Lamb, Alan Smith		Alan flying FRK (ASW 15b) in wave above Aboyne 1995 (taken by Kathy Mellor)

Alan picked a field too late and ended up with a bent tailplane and a £5k insurance claim. Not to be recommended.	Taken circa 1995		Snow at Booker		Half cat Instructors course Booker 1989. John Wright, Leo Meddens, Mike Phillpot, Alan Smith, ??

What used to be a Grob 109b after the 1988 storm (This is the Booker Garden Centre)			More storm damage.

Talgarth Expedition '93			Talgarth Expedition '93

Shobdon 2004	Shobdon 2004		Glyn Read on approach Shobdon 2004		Group Shobdon 04

Shobdon Expedition 200n. Front Rob Harris and Alan Smith in the back. Rob was having a site check and they ended up at 5K			Again at Shobdon - Debbie Cooper (Daniel's wife) in the front. In the background is Keith Ford and Paul Copland

Should two full cats be allowed to fly together??

Booker Gliding Club Ltd, t/a Booker Gliding Centre
is a company registered in England with company number 1492733
Registered office address: Wycombe Air Park, Booker, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 3DP
VAT number: 350 4182 83

Booker Gliding Centre
Wycombe Air Park
Marlow
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
SL7 3DP

Contact Us
Phone 01494-442501 or 01494-529263
eMail: BookerGC
Web: www.bookergliding.co.uk