Reunion

The Entry re-union on 17/18 sep 05 started with a dinner at The Mill-on-the-Soar pub/restaurant/motel at Stoney Stanton. The venue was chosen in response to popular demand for a central England location with some attractions in the vicinity. We were pleased to welcome Dave Land, as a new “recruit”, as well as the regulars among the 13 diners. We had hoped to celebrate Paul McCloskey’s final retirement from the Service, and to test his claim to being the longest serving of the Enty. Unfortunately Paul had to withdraw at the last minute due to work commitments, it was alleged!

Next day, after a hearty breakfast, the group headed off to Bruntingthorpe where we received an interesting tour of such wonders as a Victor, Super Guppy, Canberra, Hunter, Buccaneers, Lightnings, etc with the sound of racing machinery being exercised on the test track in the background. Originally we had hoped to see the Vulcan ready for its test flight but as we all know, estimates of aircraft serviceablilty usually tend to slip!

Then a determined core of the group pressed on to receive an excellent guided tour of Stanford Hall, where some of us had another breakfast, and learned about Percy Pilcher’s heroic but sadly fatal attempt to achieve powered flight some 4 years ahead of the Wright brothers.

The group then dispersed to recharge for the next one.

Henry Hall.