Supporters Day June 2010

[Andy Sadler]

Just like to say , what a wonderful day yet again, and a real credit to all those involved in making it happen.
I was here this year with 4 generations of Sadlers and the youngest at 22 is now also a convert to the wonders of the Spitfire and the marvellous roar of a well tuned Merlin coming in low across the runway!!
Having not seen Richard fly the Grace Spitfire before today, we were all amazed at the skill and pure magic of the way he flew. Carolyn, you must be extremely proud and rightly so, it was a joy to watch.
Darren, if you read this, don`t forget our conversation about the sepia prints!!

Regards to all, and again, many,many thanks for a wonderful day out..Looking forward to next year already...  

Andy Sadler

[wildcard]

I would like to add my own personal huge thanks to everyone involved in making my second gathering a really really great day again!   

The food was really most excellent, the company was brilliant, Carolyn & Richard's flying which was superb and exhilarating to watch and hear.  And to listen first hand to those brave men, their stories of courage, humour and bravery (like Carolyn said, there are never enough words to do these people justice) so that we could live free now, never - ever - fails to make me feel so very humble, and I feel very honored and privileged to have met them.

I raise my glass (now I've driven home I can have a drink!)  - to the veterans, to the Grace family, all the friends & supporters, and to ML407 may she stay up where she belongs, in the sky for many, many more years to come!

Thanks again!!  Cheers!

Best regards, Mike

[SoundmanJohn]

Just got back from two excellent days at Bentwaters. A superb Gathering, with excellent food, great company (thanks for the wine, Andy!), many self-deprecating tales of WW2 derring-do  from the supremely modest Squadron Leader Nigel Rose, a beautiful display from Carolyn in the morning, a heart-stopping one from Richard in the afternoon and, best of all for me, an all-too brief moment in the cockpit of ML407 whilst my stupidly grinning mug was captured for posterity. The organisation of this annual event never ceases to amaze me and this year was no exception: I know that the entire family and the support team go all out to make the day special, and much-deserved applause was handed out to Steve, Gerbs and Richard for the astonishing way in which ML407 is kept looking and working. You would not ever guess that she was a senior citizen because she looks and behaves like an enthusiastic teenager. Paul B did duty as this year's Gatemaster, with Andy taking a well deserved rest and enjoying the freedom, I think.

The air-show was also superb, although a cloudy start coupled with the absence of Sally B, weathered-in in Denmark, was a bit of a downer. The Breitling wing-walkers got the show off to a rousing start, followed by the two vintage jets, Miss Demeanour -  the Hawker Hunter, and the F-86 Sabre. Thrilling stuff and suitably noisy for me with my recording kit trying to avoid the dulcet tones of the commentators!

Richard and David premiered an amazing duelling/dual Pitts Special display that has to be seen to be believed, Carolyn was as stunning and precise as always, despite a brief shower during her display, the Wattisham Sea King actually got to do a rescue display, the Seafire flew in form Yeovilton as a last minute replacement for Sally B and did a gentle and graceful display, Maurice Hammond's Mustangs screamed their inimitable way along the crowd line, The Red Bull Matadors defied the laws of physics, there were precision skydivers, an air-ambulance that had to keep dashing off to assorted emergencies, James May turned up in the control tower for an interviews and some ad-hoc commentating, Olivia did a superb job commentating, Stevie K vandalised the runway with a yellow marker and polished everything in sight, oh and loads of other stuff that I can't remember just now. And at the end of the day, after a very brief shower, the sun came out in all its glory.

What made this show really great for me was that it felt like a family affair; like a group of really good friends got together and put on a show for the sheer joy of it. I could feel the waves of goodwill from the crowd even right up the far end of the airfield.

It was a great couple of days for me - especially since I nearly had to cancel because of a changed work date. I have to be up very early tomorrow, but it will be worth it; I'm still buzzing from the experience.

Heartfelt thanks to one and all for both days.

Best wishes,

John

[Graham Haynes]

Sorry John, can't let this pass without comment. Don't forget Karen (my wife) who also did a stirling job as Gatemaster with Paul! 
Regards.

Graham

Paul B did duty as this year's Gatemaster, with Andy taking a well deserved rest and enjoying the freedom, I think.

[Proctor]

The annual gathering was, of course, a huge success and a big thank you to everyone involved in making it go so smoothly. The food was excellent as was the company.
 
The two displays were fantastic and the difference in each complimented the other.
 
Now for the downside - all my fault and nothing to do with the gathering really! My wife was the one in the electric wheelchair that 'stood her up'. A vital part of that is a knee support which I must have left beside my car when I drove off......clever me!
 
Hopefully someone spotted it and handed it in to somebody? Perhaps if anyone knows its whereabouts they could contact me - [edit]Removed mobile number[/edit]

Tom  1578

[James Wheeler]

Tom,

Hopefully someone will respond on here. I don't recall seeing this support when we cleared up but I will check with the others.

I have removed your mobile number as posting it so publicly could cause you problems and you might receive unsolicited calls.

If anyone does respond having found it or knows where it is we will organise contact with you privately so we can get it back to you.

Regards,
James

[paul b]

Sorry John, can't let this pass without comment. Don't forget Karen (my wife) who also did a stirling job as Gatemaster with Paul! 
Regards.

Graham

 

                       Indeed she did, in fact Karen was the brains of the operation, as Andy was previously.
                       It's a great job which we both enjoyed with much banter. 

                               Paul   

[Gate Master]

Paul,
Very pleased to know the gate was in very good hands, well done to you and Karen.
Sorry I missed Sunday I should have stayed on but you'll be pleased to know I fixed the dishwasher instead, bits and water all over the kitchen floor !!!
Andy

[paul b]

  

      John, great to see you again, I think you probally covered everything there,which is handy, because I can keep my post short, lol.
      I'm not sure of Sunday's final attendance figure, but it's a staggering amount. A brilliant Gathering on Saturday and an equaly brilliant airshow Sunday.
      I had the added bonus of working with Karen on saturday and Becky and Helen on Sunday.
      Well done to everyone concerned, top job.  

              Paul  

[Carolyn Grace]

Keep the feedback coming in because it is so important to receive it.  Not only is it uplifting, as I am always anxious that the arrangmeents have worked well, but also to anaylise the event for any possible changes that may be implemented, however this time I think (apart from the loo facilities which I have this morning sorted for next year) the Annual Gathering event needs little change.

The Annual Gathering works because of the immense Team effort of the Grace family freinds and colleagues involved on the day. They should take a bow.

Becky Nadal who worked tirelessly on the Grace Spitfire Stall without a break during the day and into the night with the accounting, needs a special mention. Becky then went on to do the same thing the following day at the Airshow.

The Bentwaters Airshow was equally a double family affair with the Kemball and Grace families working as a team to make this new venture successful.  John'spost above is wonderful to read and so rewarding that we did get it pretty right and the crowd of wonderful spectators, all so nice and friendly was superb.

Carolyn Grace

[Graham Haynes]

Thanks for the comments Paul. Karen spoke highly of you as well! 
I'd like to extend thanks to all my staff at the Bentwaters Cold War Museum who worked tirelessly in support of both events.
Kind regards.

Graham

 

                       Indeed she did, in fact Karen was the brains of the operation, as Andy was previously.
                       It's a great job which we both enjoyed with much banter. 

                               Paul   

[paul b]

  

   Carolyn, I think you've got the Gathering running liked a well oiled machine, (unlike someone else' s pump ) and is spot on.
   The nice thing about being on the gate, you can see  and hear how much everyone is looking forward to the day ahead, and come departure time
   everyone is still  in high spirits, having been well fed and well entertained both in and outdoors. To attend is great, to be involved, even better.

  The airshow, building on the success of the previous ones, was superb, and this was reflected by the massive crowd. As John said, it had a real family feel to it.
   Although it meant we had to move the stall (which with many hands was done in a flash) turning the marquee into a large tea room complete with music and
   dancing was an excellent idea, and was very popular throughout the day.  
  
  I'm not sure how many different hats you've worn in the build up to the weekend, but you seem to have excelled in them all, however the one everyone likes
  to see you in most is definitely your flying hat !! Well done Carolyn, great effort by all concerned.  

             Paul  
  

[paul b]

Thanks for the comments Paul. Karen spoke highly of you as well! 
I'd like to extend thanks to all my staff at the Bentwaters Cold War Museum who worked tirelessly in support of both events.
Kind regards.

Graham

            Hello Graham,
                                It was fun working with Karen, but apologies to her as i forgot to say goodbye.
                    Many thanks to you and your team, you were all on the go all weekend.  it was certainly a big team effort. 

                         Paul 

[paul b]

Paul,
Very pleased to know the gate was in very good hands, well done to you and Karen.
Sorry I missed Sunday I should have stayed on but you'll be pleased to know I fixed the dishwasher instead, bits and water all over the kitchen floor !!!
Andy

                    Ah,  you were missed Andy, but you'll be in the good books at home..   

[SoundmanJohn]

Sorry John, can't let this pass without comment. Don't forget Karen (my wife) who also did a stirling job as Gatemaster with Paul! 

Aha, apologies - I was one of the first in and didn't take properly take notice of the lady with Paul. Sterling work indeed and duly noted.

Regards,

John