The story of Gliding at Woodford 1

The first mention of our glider story started with the formation of the Aero Club in 1922. Soon to be registered as the Lancashire Aero Club.

John Leeming with a group of friends built a glider in his shed at the rear of his home in Altrincham and called themselves an Aero Club. At that time pigeon lofts were called Flying Clubs.

In early 1924 they built a LPW Glider, which when complete was taken to Alexandra Park, where it was launched by being towed by a car.

In August 1924 they were, like AV, told to leave Alexandra Park. AV invited them to join him at his new aerodrome at Woodford. They were stored in a canvas Bessonneau hanger behind the A V Roe number one hanger. The LAC was invited to build their own hangers which were never used for building Avro aircraft.

A Pruflung glider was purchased by LAC for their new Gliding section, Basil Meads was Chairman. It went to Stockport G.C at Lyme Park.

R.Ae.S. Manchester Branch had a Zogling glider at Woodford from February 1931, then taken to Southport G.C. late 1931.

A BACVII glider was kit-built by Manchester G.C. September 1933. Moved to Camphill July 1935.

At the onset of the WWII Avro was instructed to cease pleasure flying and asked the club to relocate.

To assist in the war effort No.183 R.A.F. Gliding School was resident in the LAC hangers from 1945 to disbandment September 1956. They operated Slingsby, Sedberghs and Cadets.

In August 1951, it is recorded in Avro News that Brian Collinge had his first flight at 183 R.A.F. Gliding School at Woodford Aerodrome. (183 was formed in 1945 and registered at Wilmslow). Under the watchful eye of Pilot Officer Scofield (Process Dept) he was shown the correct way to enter the plane , a Sedburg two-seater; after which he was firmly strapped in and told not to worry.

From this inspired flight a request was made to others who might be interested in forming our own Gliding Club. The word was spread and a diary date set.

The AVRO GLIDING CLUB
The inaugural meeting of the Avro Gliding Club was held on 4th August 1952 under the chairmanship of Mr. B. Collinge. After much discussion a preliminary list of objectives was decided upon and the following committee was elected:

Chairman Mr. B. Collinge (Staff Garage)
Secretary Mr. P. G. Sharman (S.D.O.)
Mr. I. J. Goldberg (N.D.O.), Miss B. Cleece (Tracers), Mr. J. S. Sutcliffe (N.D.O.), Mr. W. Parker (Tech. Pubs.), Mr. T. Smith (Canberra)

It was announced that Mr. J. A. R. Kay had accepted the presidency of the club. At that time the club was negotiating for the purchase of a glider and in the meantime, a series of lectures and films were prepared in an endeavour to instil the rudiments of the sport to those members who, so far, had no experience.