This time last year Brexit had become very toxic and we longed for something different to talk about. A year on and some may wish that Brexit was still the subject dominating all forms of media and so constantly in our thoughts. A classic beware-of-what-you-wish-for situation
    2020 was planned to be another interesting year for the Hawker Association; a range of talks, a couple of away-days and implementation of a few initiatives that would have brought the members together more. However, with apologies to Ian Fleming, instead of shaken not stirred we have it all on ice. As the nation begins to slowly move towards a semblance of normality, this Summer issue of the newsletter illustrates that the Hawker Association may be down at present - but it is not out.
    Many of our members are usually very active within the wider aviation heritage environment, in particular at the Brooklands Museum and the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old Sarum. Some activity has flown on but the majority has stalled. Brooklands has benefited from our support in many ways; from routine involvement at the museum as volunteers and trust members to fund raising and project assistance. The closure in March has not only made a gap in our lives but has also left the museum in a dire financial situation having been without gate and hospitality income for so long. Brooklands is the most comprehensive ‘Hawker’ museum in the world so our Association needs to do everything possible to help when it re-opens, perhaps at the beginning of August.


Chairman’s Report

     In 2019 our members were very active getting G-HAWK and XX154 (the first Hawk to fly) into their new museum homes at Brooklands and Old Sarum. It did not stop there as much work was needed on both. For example they now have their engines fitted, the cockpits are almost complete and XX154, which is in superb condition, can be viewed with electrical power on. Most of the members of the Association worked on the Hunter, Harrier, Sea Harrier and Hawk and if they visit both museums they can all be seen, as a Sea Harrier is also at Old Sarum with a Seahawk.
    The Hunter for Kingston, XL623, has been delayed but the restoration team has not had to completely stop work as some components were moved to private locations. Work, observing national restrictions, restarted on the wings and ailerons at Dunsfold in mid-May. Before lockdown plans were progressing nicely in the Borough of Kingston for the ‘Tudor Drive Pocket Park’, at the junction of Richmond Road, Dukes Avenue and Tudor Drive, across the road from where the ‘Hawker’ factory stood. This will be the new home for the Hunter and is being developed to mark the centenary of Kingston’s aviation industry. The Hawker Association has joined forces with the Kingston Council and Kingston University in this enterprise. The area surrounding the Hunter will be landscaped to “increase bio-diversity and enhance the quality of the public realm across Kingston, including the re-introduction of butterflies and pollinator friendly planting schemes”.
    As 2020 progresses and as we gain relief from the restrictions, normal service will be resumed; it is just a matter of time. Hang in there!
    Chris Roberts, June 2020.