Ireleth Ridge
IRELETH RIDGE: Gliding site
Note: All three of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Operated by: Pre WW2 - Furness Gliding Club Post WW2 - Lakes Gliding Club
Location: 1.5nm NE of Askam-in-Furness, 7nm NNE of Barrow-in-Furness town centre
Period of operation: 1930s (possibly 1920?) Later: 1950s to early 1960s
NOTES: We have Mr Graham Smith, a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for pointing out this site. He tells us that in 1932 the English National Gliding Championships were held here with gilders coming from as far afield as Maidstone in Kent. It appears that in 1955 the BBC very thoughtfully decided to erect a radio mast right at the east end of the gliding site. Obviously creating a major hazard to gliders needing to land into the prevailing sou-westerley winds.
The Lakes Gliding Club decamped to another site south of Penrith.
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