A bit more nostalgia
I came accross these photographs when sorting out the workshop. The plan shows the Whams shortly after we bought it in 1989. Note the areas of marsh and the dotted lines across the field; that was a big ditch. Gerald Brook took the pictures when we had Davward in to level and fill the gully in front of the cabin then positioned on the western edge of the field. I believe he slept up there a couple of nights in order to supervise the work. I don't think that we realy gave him the thanks that he deserved.
Notice all the rough unfliable areas to the south (bottom) edge of the field. The cabin is the black square to the west
That is the same cabin in the middle that will be leaving us soon. Note how short the hedge is up by the road.
Some Golden Oldies – When they were younger!
Trevor very kindly passed these old photographs which came from John Woodhouse. I think that both John and Trevor are in there somewhere together with some more of the Golden Era members.
The Dunford Bridge flying, site together with Honley Recreation Ground, are well before my time but Hade Edge has fond memories for me except for the track leading to it. Les Barton, our club mechanic at the time, probably got a lot of business from it; mainly broken springs and sumps.
A lot of members will pass the Bird’s Edge site without knowing it was ever possible to fly from there. If you approach the Whams from Bird’s Edge village by turning up by the school, when you get to the tee junction you are looking at our old field – now covered in willow.
The pictures on Tinker intrigued me in that they show almost all the club members at the time; in 1975 we had about 40 members. Notice though how the hill has changed, when the picture was taken the top was covered in heather.
Thank you John and Trevor for passing them on I found them very interesting.
If any other member has any old club picture or even new ones of say a particularly good model email me a copy and until the site runs out of space I will put them up on the web site.
The caption below this picture states that this is some members and visiting teams ready to take part in the 4 x 10 miles thermal cross country event before the "Wind turbines" stopped us continuing with this event. Not E-On's turbines but the 13 further allong the ridge.
It would appear that the Huddersfield Club has long had trouble with wind in all it manisfestations!
This should take some members back a bit:
How many people can you recognise here - discount the bald one at the far left.
This was our "wonderful" Hade Edge field - look at the slope on it.
Ron Butler:
Our scale man relaxing with an aerobatic model, again on Hade Edge: Note this time the proximity of the dry stone walls.
Even though it looks as though I have superimposed the model onto the background I can assure you it is just one photograph that has faded .
This is what we flew about 25 years ago - not much changes!
Indoor events - before radio went micro.
Bernie Hunt judging and Lewis Hirst (treasurer - yes there was one before Trevor) looks on.
This would be taken on Leeds Road Playing Fields.
Model called "Weekend Warrier"
David Elam will remember it vividly and I am sure he will tell you all about the slight misshap if you buy him a pint.
Early days at the Whams (I think I still have the shirt)
Who said that the trees at the bottom of the field would never grow at the altitude we fly at. That is the plantation behind me - Stan should have been flying with us; there would have been no need for him to climb trees then. Thankfully the surrounding livestock has got smaller.
If anyone else has any old photographs email me a couple (with a description) and I will put them up here.