"25 Years On"

The Rossendale Aviation Society celebrates its 25th Anniversary

 

The Rossendale Aviation Society was formed in 1975 by several members of the local Royal Observer Corps post in order to further their aviation interests at a time when the role of the ROC was to report and plot nuclear strikes and fallout. Initially meeting in members homes, it soon became necessary to find a larger permanent venue as membership grew. At the same time the program of meetings became more ambitious, meeting twice monthly, with guest speakers as well as photo and recognition contests, quizzes and members slide nights. Organised trips and visits to air bases, aircraft factories, airports and aviation events also became a regular feature of the programm, and a bi-monthly newsletter was published in order to keep the growing membership fully informed of future events. Membership had grown to 30 within two years, doubled to 60 by 1980, peaking at around 100 by the '90s, and has currently stabilised at around 70.

The Rossendale Aviation Society can, therefore, justly claim to be one of the largest and longest established aviation enthusiast groups in the Northwest of England and shows every sign of continuing to be so.

The 25th anniversary was celebrated with a social evening held at the Rossendale Golf Club. Attendance totalled about 60, with several founder members and many former members, as well as current members and their guests.

Members, former members and guests arrive at the Clubroom and Bar of the Rossendale Golf Club to celebrate 25 years of the Rossendale Aviation Society

 

Member Alan Buxton had organised a display of memorabilia, including past Newsletters, Publicity leaflets, Meetings announcements, Model competition entries and Photo competition entries.

Founder members Roy Berry (front) and John Heap examine former winning entries in the society's aircraft model and photograph competitions

 

Following press photographs for the Rossendale Free Press, guest speaker Harry Holmes, formerly Public Relations Officer with AV Roe and British Aerospace at Woodford, recalled his life long interest enthusiasm for all matters concerning aviation, and highlighted many of the amusing and interesting events encountered during his childhood and career.

Guest speaker, Founder members and current Committee members pose for Press photographs

From the left: Bob Fairclough (former Chairman and current Vice Chairman), Harry Holmes (Guest Speaker), Tony Hopkinson (former Chairman and current Secretary), Arnold Swallow, Roy Berry, Steven Schofield (founder members), Martin Powell (current Chairman), Paul Toothill (founder member), Loyd Robinson (former Chairman), Ivor Tamplin (founder member)

 

Following a break for food and drink, chairman Martin Powell, and former chairmen Lloyd Robinson and Paul Isherwood recounted amusing experiences encountered in pursuit of their hobby over the years.

 

The Rossendale Aviation Society would like to thank the Rossendale Golf Club for hosting and catering the event at very short notice, and also member Alan Buxton for organising the event.