For this event a newspaper headline might have reported - " Intrepid naval flyers brave inclement weather to take part in precision spot landing competition, aviation quiz and gourmet lunch". As it was, early fog DID delay things a bit but not for too long. Those who made it to Henstridge for one of our biggest gatherings yet thoroughly enjoyed the day but we commiserate with those who were held back by the weather.

The Spot Landing Competition was due to take place from 0900 to 1200 in time for lunch at 1230, but it took until 1126 for the first aircraft to land on after the sun did its duty burning off the fog. Twenty others followed suit, the last landing at 1245. If there were any ghosts of 1943/44 'batsmen' looking down from above they might have given a glimmer of a cynical smile at the spot landing attempts, however there were no 'barriers' and everyone enjoyed it, - those who had' done it 'congregated at the runway threshold to watch the fun (just like the old days !)

Our hosts at Henstridge gave us a right royal welcome with a dining area set aside for the forty six members and wives who made it by aeroplane and car through the hazy murk. Everyone expressed great satisfaction with the excellent buffet lunch provided by Katie, the airfields resident cook.

After lunch we heard talk of romance in 1944 at Henstridge when 'Jimmie'Hallam, who was then a Wren, first met her husband Bob. She described her experiences at the airfield and her times during the arduous siege of Malta.(Very sadly we have to report the death of Bob Hallam later in the year and our commiserations go out to his widow).

Air Quiz No 2 followed and was won by Denis Woodhams who was presented with a fine bottle of wine by Jan Dobree-Carey who, as adjudicator, also presented wine to the winner of the spot landing competition - Mike Tidd, who came all the way from Guernsey to show us how it should be done.

Not everybody who came, signed in or entered their aircraft registrations in the Squadron book, but those who did are as follows:- Mike and Mary Smith together with Denis and Margaret Woodhams in R44 G-POLT (they were NOT allowed to take part in the spot landings, - nor was Ceryl Johns in his B206 G-JWLS.

Dave Mackay in C120 G-BUJM, Leo Baker and Susan Willoughby in J5 Cub G-BRLI, Ian Herdman and Sally Ricketts PA28, G-BBIX, Arthur Record, Mistral G-MVSJ, Bernard Maslin and Leslie Banks, AA5, G-PENN, Mike Costin, Europa, G-BWZA, John Eatwell, Streak Shadow, G-BTEL, David and Caroline Morgan Yak52, LY-ALM, David Berry, Jungmann, G-BEDA, Bryn Jones, C152, G-BSWH, Michael and Eve Bonham Cozens, Bonanza B36, G-MAPR, Jan Dobree-Carey and Ron, Kittiwake, G-BBRN, also present were Denis White, Chris Morshead, Nigel and Nick de Candole, Peter Lovegrove, David Lockspeiser, Dave and Pat Morgan, Michael and Charmian Ryan, Tony and Jill Ashmead, Bob and 'Jimmie' Hallam, Brian Calvert, Martin Holloway and Jane Donaldson, Bryan Bamford, Bruce R.R.McDonald. Neville and Gwen Duke.

Finally to add to the excitement of the day a Vampire painted in naval colours from Source Aviation at Hurn carried out low fly pasts in our honour, and later a Dakota no less, landed effortlessly on the runway to re-fuel.