Stradey Park
STRADEY PARK: Temporary Landing Ground (Aka LLANELLY)
Note: The anglicised spelling - LLANELLY - was changed to the Welsh spelling - LLANELLI - in 1966.
Location: Just NW of Llanelly town centre
Period of operation: 25th to 29th May
In 1912 the famous French aviator Henri Salmet was sponsored by the Daily Mail to undertake a tour in the UK. Starting in west London he initially made his way across westwards, via several en route venues, to LLANELLY. This being the furthest west destination in South Wales. It was a most extraordinary project, nothing like it being seen before. However, in that same year the Daily Mail also sponsored the equally famous British aviator, Claude Grahame-White to undertake a similar tour using different venues, under the banner of "Wake Up England".
Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', has researched this Tour by Salmet and the full itinerary can be found in my article - 'The 1912 tour by Henri Salmet'.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: Both the picture and the article were kindly provided by Llanelli Community Heritage.
Note: The fifth item, the newspaper article, was published in the West Somerset Free Press on the 1st June 1912.
NOTES: It is probably difficult today to appreciate just how big an impact a visit like this made on the local population. It really was sensational. Those early aviators, brave enough to embark on such a tour, were regarded as 'superstars' and féted at every venue. Thousands would turn up just to get a look at the aviator and his machine, as aeroplanes were called in those days.
This picture is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Indeed, very few people in the UK had seen an aeroplane, and seeing one flying was a truly fabulous and memorable event. The arrival of one gave a reason to have a major civic celebration. The local dignitaries would turn out and a sumptuous banquet arranged. Often a public holiday was declared for an exhibition of flying if it occurred on a weekday.
We also need to remember that events like this took place when fixed-wing powered aircraft were still in their infancy. The first recorded flights by such 'machines', (as aeroplanes were then called), only took place in the UK from around 1909, just three years before. The French were far, far more advanced and had held, in Reims that same year a huge eight day event, the Grand Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne. During which a variety of competitions were held to establish records for speed, range and altitude.
Salmet had of course emerged from such a situation, so was already a highly experienced aviator. Hence the Daily Mail being so keen to sponsor him. They made a wise choice too, he really did do his utmost to make his tour a huge success.
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