Michael Ryan's Birthday Party

On Saturday 19th March a dinner and dance was held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton to celebrate the 70th birthday of our Senior Pilot.
Very efficiently organised by Charlie, Michael’s wife, the setting for the dinner was particularly attractive, being held in the Concorde Hall underneath Concorde, with a well sprung dance floor, romantic lighting and cheerful decorations. Over 200 guests dined and danced to the music of the eight piece Robb Walker Jazz Band backed up in the intervals by the GTR Disco Roadshow.
Prior to dining, all guests assembled on the Flight Deck for drinks and were regaled by the sight of Admiral Sir Michael Layard KCB CBE RN aloft on the island who proceeded to describe to his audience what life (and its perils) was like on the operation of aircraft from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier at sea.
After dinner an appreciation and reminiscencies about Michael Ryan was given by Mr John Brookes. This was followed by the presentation of a silver salver subscribed by Squadron members to Michael Ryan by Michael Bonham Cozens.

Report by Ron Dobree-Carey.