PHOTO of the DAY...

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"Photo of the Day"
17/09/22

Today offers a temporary change of mood during the mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II at Blackbushe as the second "Twilight Runway Challenge" to be held at the Airport takes place.. A chance for participants and volunteers to get some fresh air and exercise as the event offers the opportunity for all competitors to raise money for local schools and good causes. The airfield closes to flight operations from 15.00.




A brief moment from last year's "Twilight Runway Challenge".. All ages, many methods of competing over the different distances available.



A lot of money was raised for good causes, another example of the benefits of Blackbushe. Had the bodies who wish to see precious Blackbushe Airport returned to a disused wild and abandoned state been successful the locality would have missed what is, and promises to be, a golden asset to both aviation and the community.

The "Twilight Runway Challenge" is now engraved in the area's calendar of annual events. Good luck to all taking part today, if you're not participating today, maybe next year it'll be your turn to walk, ride, run, skip, hop..or however you opt to tackle the course?

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
18/09/22


The last "POTD" until after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, tomorrow we will remain in quiet respect of the nation's most revered leader.

Last evening the atmosphere was cheered by the now annual "Twilight Runway Challenge". No longer run at Farnborough Airport where it originated, Blackbushe has proven to be a convenient, welcoming and friendly alternative venue, her runways and taxiways providing the perfect distances. The number of runners,walkers, bikers, scoooterers,and fancy dress competitors significantly increased over the previous year. It's anticipated that the event will result in excess of £55,000 for local good caused and schools. The value of Blackbushe has many avenues!




The apron became a temporary car park, one of Blackbushe's regular visitors providing an interesting car-park feature!



Today a Gulfstream, another Falcon and other business flights will replace the cars!




A glitch in the technology spoiled this photo, but I've included it to convey the scene as the heroic runners approached my location for the first time...




Flying machines all of shapes and sizes were sen at Blackbushe last evening!




The evening concluded with an excellent BBQ provided by the Pathfinder Cafe, and a glorious sunset only spoiled by my camera having a funny moment.



Assisted by the regular volunteers and the Airport's hard working ground crew last evening's "Twilight Runway Challenge" will be repeated next year. Another opportunity to join the fun and raise valuable resources for local good causes..

We will return with "POTD" on Tuesday.

PB

[PB]

18/09/22

PLEASE NOTE...

THE BLACKBUSHE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER, 2022, HAS BEEN POSTPONED AS MOST OF THE COUNCILLORS ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND. THE RESCHEDULED MEETING WILL BE HELD LATER IN SEPTEMBER, OR EARLY OCTOBER.

MANY THANKS
PB

[PB]

19th September, 2022.

Our Last Farewell.





Happier times. May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Rest in Peace.

Thank you for guidance, assurance, leadership, and devotion to our United Kingdom.

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
20/09/22

Follow that....

Yesterday Great Britain showed the world, amid the tears and sorrow at the loss of an inspirational monarch, just how to bring a nation together as our hearts and souls combined under the most supreme pomp, circumstance and pageantry that surely must have been the envy of the world's nations, a day of sadness and memories, a day to make you proud to be British. There is no doubt that those of us of a certain age felt a very direct link with our loved ones with whom we shared the Queens Coronation in 1953. My Mum, Dad, and grandparents - gathered before the TV my Dad had built - watched the Coronation throughout thanks to the BBC's coverage. I was seven, but remember the day so well! Yesterday was the closing chapter to the book started while watching TV with my family in 1953. They now are departed of this world, yesterday my eyes welled-up more than once thinking of that day in June, 1953 and the sadness of separation brought home as we bade "Farewell" to our Queen of such long standing.

In a world where we are ever more lost behind screens and mobile phones, the warmth and joy of humans coming together could not have been better demonstrated. All nationalities, creeds, and persuasions as they queued for many hours for that precious moment before our departing monarch. The day left me with with so many memories and a wish that I could recall more of the words spoken, but these words left a mark, "No matter how determined the afternoon, the evening will come". Sobering thought for those such as myself enjoying the afternoon of life! While wishing King Charles III good fortune over the coming years there's no doubt he's got one heck of a great act to follow.




A wet Blackbushe afternoon in 1963. This helicopter of the Queen's Flight popped in, resplendent in red I recall the temporary 'purple airways' produced for the transit of Royal flights. I just cannot recall who the Whirlwind was carrying, but as the Airport's 'Ops' chap at the time it certainly brought some colour to otherwise long and usually very quiet days.



From the photo you'll note to the right a telegraph pole as slowly communications with the outside world were restored, to the left Airport Manager Bill Freeman's family caravan, the new 'temporary' Tower is in place and the Civil Aviation ensign proudly flew for all to see. The car park is empty as it always was, poor old Blackbushe was a place full of memories but not much else by then. The Terminal offices were empty, just the name of their departed airlines painted on their glass panelled doors. Bill Freeman occupied the first floor office that today remains the Airport Management's throne, Miss Godard, Airport Secretary had an office opposite Bill's office, and I had an office on the ground floor from whence 'operations' matters were conducted. The silence was ghostly walking the length of the then still full length building. I was 17 when I joined the AVM's very small team at the Airport, my moped can be seen under the Control Tower structure. Cheap and nippy transport that spent many hours at Blackbushe...




1960's. Three Counties Aero Club were formed and launched at Blackbushe by the construction of their new club house, the premises now occupied by the "Pathfinder Cafe" and Blackbushe Aviation. Hopelessly glued to Blackbushe, I worked there during the week for AVM Bennett, weekends I spent with Three Counties either relaxing or getting involved with something. Cleaning their aircraft on Saturday morning for free flying lessons was good use of my time.. But, when the Prentice joined the Three Counties fleet a new world of opportunity! Spent Sundays selling pleasure flight tickets, strapping passengers in and helping them out again at the end of their flight. Parked the aeroplane more or less between the club house and the A30 so as to be very visual. How I loved clambering around the aircraft assisting passengers, selling tickets, and seeing "Pretty Louise" take to the skies with our customers securely strapped in!



The years rolled on, the Prentice was sold, I moved on into the airline business, but those years will always be some of the happiest. Camaraderie amid Three Counties was without parallel. I was just incredibly lucky to have been in the right place to enjoy it.




Life at Blackbushe was a joy in the early sixties, as it still is, but the days were marred having to endure the ongoing destruction of the Airport's eastern end by the local parish council. Painful beyond measure to watch as priceless acres and runways were reduced to rubble.


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
21/09/22

As if the week had not shared its sombre sadness enough, on this day death's sting is painfully remembered as our passage through another year recalls 21st September, 1980.



"Roger"... So much a part of the Blackbushe scene, a friend likened to a brother to me, his journey through life ended on 21st September, 1980, when the Invader bomber he was flying in at Biggin Hill fell to Earth.



Roger Russell and I had become the closest of friends during the 1970s, one of those friendships where you just hit it off, Roger caught my affinity toward Blackbushe and became a priceless assistant in events such as the Air Festival in 1977. He gained his PPL, I was his first passenger, he joined Dan-Air at Gatwick in their operations department, and he also worked in the Blackbushe Tower - his voice well known to all who flew the Blackbushe circuit! He lived for Blackbushe, much as did some others! I got to know his family well during those years.

I have no doubt that all who knew Roger will share fond memories of his days with us...




Today, Roger rests in the beautiful Heathlands Cemetery, not far from Blackbushe where he will always be close to the airfield he loved.



On this day in 1980 we were both going to Biggin Hill in one of the B-25 bombers based at Blackbushe. Fate played its hand. First the starboard engine refused to play, only after a long struggle did it fire up with much complaint and backfiring. It was getting late, I felt guilty having left Pauline and Jonathan, who was just a few months old, to attend lunch with friends in Hatfield, but the pull to fly to the Air Show at Biggin was insurmountable. However, as we started to taxi for the Blackbushe runway fate played another hand, the nose wheel tyre burst.

I decided that there would never be enough time to get to Biggin Hill and opted to go home and join my family for the trip to Hatfield. "See you on Thursday", were the last words I uttered to Roger. Turned out the tyre was fixed and they made it to Biggin.

It was not until the evening and our return home that I put the TV news on. Roger and I had been due to meet up with Don Bullock and take a ride in the Invader had things gone smoothly leaving Blackbushe. The news stated that a wartime bomber had crashed at Biggin Hill.

Shortly after the phone rang, it was Roger's Mum asking if he was with me. His wallet had been found at Biggin Hill.

At that moment the reality struck, and the most difficult phone call of my life was happening.

Forty two years have flown, and hardly a day goes by without Roger in our thoughts.

It was at dear Stuart Marshall's funeral in January of this year that after the ceremony a chap came up to me and asked if I was "Peter".. I confessed, it was Roger's young brother who I had not seen since he was but a very small person. As if the day were not emotional enough, to be speaking to Roger's brother was further cause for moistened eyes. He told of how Roger looked upon me as a 'brother'. That did it.

The years continue to fly around, I will be paying Roger a visit and attending to his grave site. It's the least I can do.........

Rest in Peace old chum.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
22/09/22

Did you know that 120 years ago today Stan Spencer became the first English person to fly a powered airship over England? Apparently he flew 30 miles propelled by a 3hp water cooled engine.... He ascended from Crystal Palace in his 75 foot gas filled device.

How different the world is today.

As winter draws nearer a distinct chill is coming from the Moscow direction as threats of more serious aerial equipment than a 3hp water cooled engine are pointed toward the west!

Personally, health issues are giving some degree of concern, forthcoming scans will perhaps indicate the way ahead - or whatever!! So for this morning some pics from Blackbushe during the sixties when one was younger, health issues were of no concern, and optimism abounded that Blackbushe would soon be able to build her new hangars etc etc..




de Havilland designs were never far away. This Riley Dove brought much admiration. Note the apron behind had just been removed by the parish council...




Four Doves and a Heron... Farnborough Week in the early sixties. Believe me, seeing Blackbushe with this traffic occupying the apron was as near to a miracle you're likely to get after the desolation and destruction implemented by the 'authorities'.




"MXL" our beloved Three Counties Aero Club Chipmunk, while a rather empty looking car park reflects on how times were in those far off days.




More "Ahhh de Havilland!" moments. Three Counties Rapide was a popular addition to the fleet for para dropping..




Chrisair's beautiful DH 84 Dragon dropped in to see us on numerous occasions..




Len Webb's Hornet Moth G-AMZO found refuge in a surviving nissen hut down at the airfield's west end. Perfect fit after Len restored the hut into operational condition.




We had a home based Tiger Moth. Dear old G-ANEH weathered the winters and endured the scenes provided by local authorities. It's the only photo I have of NEH, but it reflects perfectly how we saw life at Blackbushe in those raw but happy days as the airfield battled for her survival - what was left of it!


Enough nostalgia...hopefully back tomorrow.

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
23/09/22



But it's only September!! But, doesn't time fly, and what a great place for a party! Plenty of parking, fabulous staff to look after your every need - party wise, and who knows, Father Christmas might land!




If your looking for a good atmosphere and the chance to get involved with a project such as the Blackbushe Heritage Trust's intent to return and restore a Viking to the green pastures of Blackbushe then the evening of 27th September at Blackbushe's Pathfinder Cafe is the place for you!!




Get involved! The Blackbushe Heritage Trust in action at the recent RAF Odiham families day. We've got a great team, why not join us?




Don't forget the Heritage Trust's merchandise available at the Pathfinder Cafe!! Every sale brings the Viking closer to coming home - buy a mug, get involved!




Here's PAT, G-APAT, should you not remember what a Viking looks like... Back in the fifties a schoolboy spent many happy hours with his trusty bike sitting by the roadside soaking up the Blackbushe atmosphere. PAT was just one of many Vikings that played upon the Blackbushe stage..

It would be so nice to see a Viking returned and able to tell some of the story of Blackbushe past..


PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
24/09/22

Delayed POTD operations today due various issues including another needle in the arm, Flu jab this time.. Early morning appointment with an MRI machine tomorrow, no doubt the schedule will be delayed once again.

Life goes on, this morning looks like yielding a good catch of business flights to swell the apron's waiting tarmac. Thanks to Rob for the advice.



Please don't forget the Blackbushe Heritage Trust meeting on Tuesday next week. The Viking depends on us to save her and return her to Blackbushe, the Trust has to depend on all the help we can get as we move toward our goal, help from volunteers is priceless, Tuesday evening is another chance for you to become involved.... why not take it?




Days long forgotten by some, unknown by many, 1960s when the lock-up hangars built by the AVM and his team provided refuge for twelve aeroplanes while the larger hangar was put up a while later. The area is now the domain of BCA and lost to aviation as the west end of the airfield is the scene of thousands of used cars changing hands.




Another bleak winter's day scene from the sixties. The Anson lived here for a while while intent on being used in Africa in connection with a war. Can't recall the full details now.. The AVM's Dove and Proctor after their flying days were done. The old signals square is seen west of the Anson - we're on runway 32!! The Terminal is still full length before being partly destroyed by Hampshire County Council, while Three Counties Aero Club's new premises are seen in the upper part of the photo with some of the fleet adjacent.


Three Counties premises are now the domain of the very popular Pathfinder Cafe...




Open now, why not pop-in and catch some of the passing aeroplanes whiles enjoying the Cafe's excellent refreshments?


Hopefully back tomorrow...

PB

[PB]

"Photo of the Day"
25/09/22


The beautiful Miles Magister. Recalling one day in the summer when we celebrated Blackbushe's 80th birthday, a "Maggie" was the first aeroplane to land at the new airbase built on the plateau known as the Hartford Bridge Flats.


On a chill September morning as the summer recedes into history memories of that fleeting day are cheering to recall. However, about to be clasped by the hands of our wonderful NHS the "POTD" editorial department wish you a pleasant Sunday, and all being well we will meet again tomorrow....

PB