Allouette's 50th Celebration Evening

With all our most heartfelt thanks to Don Perch and Frank Lawson for putting together the basis for a successful flying club. From it's origins in Croydon Airport through quite a few building changes the original idea of safe and affordable flying for all still holds good today.

As the Club celebrated fifty years with the Mayor of Bromley as guest, perhaps the quiet founders of the club were the true stars of the night. Don and Frank's wife kept us all smiling with their kind words and memories as they chatted amongst the crowd. Our long time friend Audrey; who was forever cleaning the clubhouse, accompanied Don on this night too; well done Audrey.

At six o'clock the Mayor and his wife were welcomed and made at ease. After a few words from our Chairman the Mayor was offered a flight in the Cessna with Noel Baker which he gladly took. Meanwhile his wife watched from the ground having to suffer the usual banter from all the pilots in earshot!

By now the event was in full swing, which meant that the clubhouse was overflowing to the prepared marquees. There was much handshaking and slapping of backs as past members reunited and current members got to know each other more. Our workaholic Kim Clancey again surpassed herself with a spread of food any posh hotel would be proud to present.

Several members helped behind the bar which was good as it became very busy and hot in there.

Much later the Mayor was obviously enjoying himself but eventually he had to leave the bar and head home; a great thank you Mr. Mayor; please feel free to visit Alouette on Wednesday nights after your official engagements. (Who knows, perhaps another student)?

With a break in the music outside, a raffle was announced and many prizes were won. The prizes had been donated by members and were quite extensive; three of the prizes were for reduced cost flights! Everybody was listening intently for their number to be called and hoping to win. (Watch this space for reports on the lucky flight winners).

The music kept playing; the beer kept flowing; the chatting kept .. er ... chatting. Then slowly as a new day approached the crowd thinned and a handful of keen die-hard's retreated to the clubhouse for just one more drink. Members returned on Sunday to put everything back in place and dismantle the marquees.

The event showed what Alouette can achieve when members put effort in. Please remember it is YOUR club so help wherever and whenever you can. Each individual only needs to do one thing to make the whole club work well.

Special thanks to the Committee who project managed the event; Kim Clancey for catering; Noel Baker for the flight; all who turned up on the night and of course Don and Frank for starting it all off fifty years ago!

What a night! Fifty years old and still going from strength to strength; that will be Alouette Flying Club then.