[Dave Munday Posts: 269 Status: Offline]

Hi Ross, I would be interested in attending.  Would it be possible to extend the event after the weekend for a few days, for extra cruises to make it worthwhile as it's a 540 mile round trip for me.

[Kim Taylor Posts: 624 Status: Offline]

Thanks Ross. If you are only asking for a show of interest at this point, I would be interested in supporting the idea. I no longer have a craft but could maybe come down to assist in some way. Years since I've been to WsM heli museum as well

[Nick Flint Posts: 5070 Status: Offline]

Morning Ross. I no longer have a Motorhome, but I DO have a tow car again, so it is possible. Obvious comments are driving from Sheffield to be part of a "static display" is not attractive! Being THEN part of a cruise IS of course of interest but without my old motorhome- getting clean and/or sleeping seems "unlikely? Im trying to be positive, but it does seem rather difficult now (for me?)
Not being negative, but "realistic for me"

[Gaz Posts: 2387 Status: Offline Cruising around Cornwall WWW]

Normally I would be signing up for anything like this. Sadly, my craft will be put up for sale in the new year. As I'll be craftless by the event I won't put my name on the yes list.

[rossfloyd Posts: 2050 Status: Offline]

Not really at this point Al.  It might well be in October as that is usually a quiet time in the weather although that is a chance we have to take,  so it could be a year away from booking your leave !


I am sure we can get you a lift with one of the local team although as you are the first to comment the idea may not get off the ground if there is no more interest! 


I will go and see the Museum in the next few days - possibly after the bank holiday rush has gone - it is mayhem on the M5 in Somerset  - and try to rough out some basic dates and a plan.


I will update this thread as and when we have any more info.

[Al Posts: 1008 Status: Offline WWW]

Do you have any idea, of what time of year, you would hope to put on the hoverin?  I’ll be booking my annual leave dates for 2026/27 around the end of October. I probably wouldn’t tow the Surveyor from up here, but could possibly book a weeks holiday around that area, so could attend. Other consideration besides dates we have, is Becky’s health

[rossfloyd Posts: 2050 Status: Offline]

Following my request for the club to consider funding some kind of slipway or location hire for an event in the South West ( there is plenty of money in our funds according to the accounts so it could be something we do for other areas too ) I have been in touch with the Helicopter Museum in Weston super Mare.  They are based at one of the old Westland sites and the SRN craft were Westland designs. They seem really keen to host a meeting.
This is only in the very early stages but I have had a very brief discussion about holding a weekend event at the Museum, likely next year,  with a hover-in on one day where we can static display or take part in a low speed gymkhana ‘round the cones’ type activity and a Bristol Channel or River Avon based cruise on the other.  There is an adjacent campsite and they have an small grass air strip that we could use for the hover-in activity. 
The Hover-in would be to draw people to the Museum ( a charity ) and be a social for us with a BBQ for members (even if they come without a craft), and we could do the cruise as a charity event to raise money for BARB  hovercraft rescue at Burnham.
My initial thought is to ask HCUK,  S.W. Hover Group, HCGB, BARB, the Fire Service and other local marine services, Air Training Cadets and Sea Cadets to join in,  plus Weston Beach Rangers, Coastguard & RNLI.  This would hopefully breath a bit of life back into local hovercraft activity, make operators aware of the pitfalls and benefits of  our area,  promote Westland hovercraft at the Helicopter Museum,  raise money for the Museum and BARB and give us all an interesting weekend.
This may be wildly over ambitious, but if it is possible would any of our members be interested in attending and/or assisting in running it?  Do you have any other ideas we could incorporate or use instead?
We would need it to be adopted by one or all of the main clubs to cover the organiser’s insurance and give some street cred....and weather dependent- always a risk with an outdoor event.
Can I have comments and expressions of interest please as there is no point in doing the initial fact finding unless there is support.  Obviously this isn’t a request to commit,  but if we  know there is a good amount of interest I can see if it is actually possible .... or just a pipe dream.
Any thoughts or interest in the comments please !  :-)