Woolley Hill
WOOLLEY HILL: Gliding site
Note: Both of these pictures are from my Google Earth © derived database.
Operated by: Bedford Gliding Club
Location: Just NE of Spaldwick village, N of the A604 (now A14), roughly 4nm from the centre of the Alconbury air base site and about 5nm WNW of Huntingdon town centre
Period of operation: Unknown? Certainly in 1931
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Although having this location listed, it was very sparse on information. Having noticed this when he was researching the Bedford Gliding Club at WILSTEAD HILL, he then very kindly took it upon himself to investigate what is around to illustrate this location. It is important to note that although the Bedford Gliding Club decided to transfer their flying activity, or at least most of it, to WOOLLEY HILL in April 1931, they still stored, repaired and maintained their gliders in the Club hangar at WILSTEAD HILL. To get more background information about the Bedford Gliding Club, please refer to the WILSTEAD HILL listing.
In those days most early glider types designed and made in the UK, affordable to clubs to operate, were very poor performers. (The Germans had made much better progress). So, it was common practice to seek out gliding sites which offered even marginally better gliding conditions, put their machines, (as aircraft were still commonly called), onto trailers and drive them there. Indeed, especially during the summer season, both clubs and individual owners would drive considerable distances to 'camp-out' at the very best locations, often when competitions had been arranged.
The photo with caption was published in The Bystander on the 15th April 1931.
ITEMS PUBLISHED IN THE SAILPLANE MAGAZINE
Please note that Notice One was published in The Sailplane on the 20th March 1931, less than a month before flying operations were transferred here!
Notice Two appeared on the 3rd April and the article was published on the 17th April.
Notice Four was placed in The Sailplane on the 22nd May 1931. The distance view is superimposed onto my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES: We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for initially pointing out this location.
I suppose it might be worth a mention, especially for younger visitors to this 'Guide', to explain why I have it listed as being in two Counties. I do not know how things have developed in other countries, but the U.K. is in a complete mess by and large, which may not be apparent if looking at modern maps, especially a modern road atlas.
The main problem being that they appear to give the boundaries of "Counties", which is very misleading at best - at least historically. In so many cases, modern so called "Counties" are administrative areas. Classic examples being Bath & NE Somerset, West Midlands and Greater London. In fact the original Counties still exist. It seems that only an Act of Parliament can change the nature of a County, and, as far as I am aware, this has never happened. Or at least perhaps (?), in the last 150 years. Probably much longer?
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