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Archived News Items 2008  updated



Items that have been on the News page but are no longer current are generally transferred to an archive.


On 10th December 2008 60 Members and Guests attended the 6th annual Xmas Lunch at the YMCA Hawker Centre in Richmond Road, Kingston. Story, photos

 Christmas Lunch is on Wednesday 10 December at 12:30 for 1:00 pm (NOTE earlier time). Essential to book with Ken Batstone at a Wednesday meeting or by phoning 01932 229938 by the end of November; if necessary leave a message and phone number so he can respond. Partners are welcome. Details. There will be a NOT be a committee meeting in the morning; the next committee meeting is on 14 January 2009.

On Wednesday 12 November Guy Black will talk on Restoring and Operating Hawker Biplanes. There will be a committee meeting in the morning.

On 11 November Guy Black came to tell us about his life and work restoring and operating Hawker biplanes. Story.

11 November 2008 Newsletter 22 (Autumn) is available online.

On Wednesday 15 October there is a visit to the RAF Club, at 121 Piccadilly, with lunch. It is limited to about twenty people and will cost £20 to cover the hire of a room and lunch. Jacket and tie required. ESSENTIAL to Book with Barry Pegram on 01306 631125

15 October Ray Searle is recovering from a serious operation and would be happy to hear from his friends in the Association. His address is 15 Levylsdene, Guildford, GU1 2RS - 01483 825778.

On 15 October around 20 members had lunch at the RAF Club and saw the bust of Sir Sydney Camm that had been sculptured by our chairman Ambrose Barber. Story. Pictures by Terry Anstey; if scripts are enabled larger pictures will display while the mouse is over them.

Group at lunchSir Sydney Camm bustPicture under Sir Sydney Camm bust

On October 8 Brian Hussey, supported by Don Williams, gave an interesting talk on airships and their history from 1670. Story

On Wednesday 10 September there will be a social gathering and video. There will be a committee meeting in the morning.

29 August 2008 Newsletter 21 (Summer) is available online.


We are sorry to report that 'Doc' Holliday of Tech Pubs died recently. The funeral is at Woking Crematorium on Wednesday 20th August. Letters of sympathy to his wife at 3 Summerfields Close, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 1AE

26Jun08 TV Channel 5 have produced a 6 part documentary series on “Brits who made the modern world” showing on Fridays at 7:30pm (11 and 18 July are cricket on 5). An episode involving Ralph Hooper and the Harrier should be showing on 15 August but you need to check. Series information, Yahoo TV listings. The episode on 25 July is on mobile phones.

On Wednesday 13 August there will be a social gathering and video. There will be a committee meeting in the morning.

We have received the sad news that Mike Stroud died peacefully in Chichester on 22 July. The funeral will be for family only.

On 9 July Al Merriman talked on his life with Hawker aircraft. Story

On Wednesday 9 July Air Vice-Marshal Alan Merriman will be giving a talk on his experiences flying 'Hawker' types during his long career in the Royal Air Force including his time at the A&AEE, Boscombe Down. The talk was confirmed too late for inclusion in the Spring Newsletter. There will be a committee meeting in the morning.

Wednesday 11 June is the date for our Annual BBQ, which was so successful last year. The menu will be the same as last year. Details. There will not be a committee meeting in the morning.

On 14 May Air Vice-Marshal George Black gave some Personal Reflections on Hawker Thoroughbreds. Story

On Wed 14 May Air Vice-Marshal George Black will give Personal Reflections on Hawker Thoroughbreds. There will be a committee meeting in the morning.

13 May 2008 Newsletter 20 (Spring) is available online.

Thirty six members were present at the AGM on Wednesday 9 April. All the committee were willing to continue except for Mike Hoskins and Percy Collino who has moved; we thank them for their great contribution since the Association was created. Martin Pennell joins the committee and takes over the post of Treasurer from Mike Hoskins. Story.

On Wed 9 April there is the Annual General Meeting and video There will be a committee meeting in the morning. (Notice of AGM and Membership renewal form as a PDF document).

John Dale

We have received the sad news that John Dale died on Thursday 13 March. His funeral will be on Friday 28 March, for family only, at St Monica’s off the Downs at Bristol. There will be a service of thanksgiving in St Monica’s chapel at 14:30.

On 12 March Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown talked on flying Hawker aircraft. Story

On 12 March 2008 Capt Eric 'Winkle' Brown, the famous navel test pilot who has flown 487 basic types, will talk on ‘Flying Hawker Aircraft’. There will be a committee meeting in the morning.

On 13 February Commodore J H Stanford came to Kingston to talk about the future of aviation in the Royal Navy. Story

On 13 February 2008 we are fortunate to have  a senior RN Officer, Commodore Gerry Stanford RN Assistant Chief of Staff Carrier Strike and Aviation, to talk on ‘The Future of Naval Aviation’. There will be a committee meeting in the morning  

On 9 January 2008 there will be a Social gathering with the Annual Quiz. There will be a committee meeting in the morning

The talks given by John Crampton, David Ince and Ralph Denning were recorded and are available on VHS tape and DVDs from Richard Cannon. If you missed these interesting presentations and would like to see them then ring 01932 786636 or send an Email to the webmaster via the link in the banner.