Bishops Stortford
See also BIRCHANGER 1913
BISHOPS STORTFORD: Gliding site
The local map was kindly provided by Mr Tim Howard-Smith. The picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
NOTES: It has been the aim, (an impossible task of course), to try and record as many flying sites as possible in the UK. Of all kinds!
Here is a short story: In 2024, Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', came across a list, published in October 1930, of "Where Gliding Can Be Seen."
One entry was: "Herts. - Herts and Essex Gliding Club. Sunday afternoons, Eastern Roadways Garage, one mile north of Stortford."
So, what to make of this? I could find no mention of a 'Stortford' in either Essex or Hertfordshire, so assumed it must actually be Bishop's Stortford. Another clue is Eastern Roadways Garage, and although I could not trace any mention of it, a reasonable assumption might be that it was on or near the old A.11, now the B1004.
A bit later, after an enquiry, Mr Tim Howard-Smith, Chairman of the Bishop's Stortford Historical Society, kindly offered his advice, knowing exactly where the Eastern Roadways Garage was situated. And so, the most likely location would have been just east of this.
In those days the term 'gliding' mostly bore no resemblance to what later developed. Generally the gliders were born aloft by a long bungee type attachment, hauled by a team running pell-mell down a convenient slope. Usually remaining barely in the air in a more or less straight line. Only the best pilots, given enough wind, (and possibly thermals), to create enough lift could manage a short circuit. But, in some cases a winch or even a car was used to tow gliders aloft. Were this used in this location?
As always, if anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be much appreciated.
ANOTHER 'PIECE OF THE JIGSAW' ADDED
Both of these items were published in the Herts and Essex Observer. The short article on the 19th July 1930, the article on the 2nd August 1930.
NOTES: Having noticed my addition of BISHOPS STORTFORD, Mike Holder, another great friend of this 'Guide', decided to see if anything had appeared in the local press - and came up with these two items. The article mentions two sites and Birchanger pretty much coincides with the location I have guessed at for the 1930s. I have yet to discover if the Widdington gliding site ever came to fruition?
That site would have been, if used, about 7nm NNE of Bishops Stortford town centre. Just south east of Newport on the B1383 which once was the A11. Probably just east of the M11, (but who knows?), possibly underneath it?
I have called this "another piece in the jigsaw", but, I think that if this 'Guide' really was made into a jigsaw, (never likely of course), with place names large enough to read, it would probably now be as large as a small County! Hardly suitable for laying out on a dining room table. Plus, on the home page I state that at least another five hundred sites are still to be added, which is an exaggeration - there are many more. Writing this in early 2024 new flying sites are coming up weekly.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
