We arrived in nice warm sunshine to find some members already trying their deckchairs. So it was legs down to join them. Debbie came round and gave us all a goody bag. Come evening we gathered at Gerald’s van for opening flag, by this time the temperature had gone right down to jackets on. Gerald gave us all a t-shirt from his company ‘National Car Hire’, very nice. He started to give us advice on things to do in the area, and then the rain started, so it was into Dave’s awning to finish his talk. That was the last rain all weekend.

Friday started dull but got better as the day went on. Gerald took some members on a tour of the Potteries Factory Outlet shops. Others went walking down the canal; it was very busy with narrow boats. Evening came and we gathered at Gerald’s van for burgers and a quiz that was won by Jim and Janet.

Two new people arrived and asked Gerald if they could join the club. No problem, so it was welcome to John and Carol Guest from Dudley. Shugborough Hall next door to us was having a 3 day music festival; Gerald promised some fireworks from the hall later that night. Martin and Lesley joined us; they missed the burgers but won the second quiz. Steve went on to win pass the parcel – a nice bottle of wine. Right on time as Gerald had promised there was a great fireworks display.

Saturday was nice and bright and all went different ways, except the Marshals who must have worked very hard to prepare all the food for Saturday night’s buffet. What a meal we had! All served up for us by the Marshals. Gerald started his quiz only to be interrupted by a fly past by a spitfire; he flew very low over the vans – a great sight! Jim and Janet won again. We then had the raffle that young D.J. had sold all the tickets for, he raised £23 for the kid’s charity – what an effort. We then went to Steves’ awning to finish our chat. This was topped off with another great fireworks display.

All too soon Sunday came; it was nice and warm for flag. Steve thanked Gerald, Debbie, and assistants Dave, Dianne and D.J. and presented plaques to all. John and Carol also received ‘First Rally’ plaques. It was Gerald and Debbie’s first rally as Marshals. Great rally in a wonderful location!

Coming into the site we slowly descended, a turn left then right and the Landing Officers (young ladies) in day-glo orange jackets and pristine white overalls were there to flash their bats and direct us via the perimeter track to our allotted dispersal point (the one on the left sent me a provocative message by semaphore).

The LO girls booked us in and Jazz, official sniffer dog in her own yellow day-glo jacket, checked us out for illegal substances (Avondale Brochures). As other crews arrived we appreciated the balletic efficiency of the LO Girls.

At 2000 Hrs AV Marshal Richard Rhodes welcomed us to his new dispersal airfield, issued us with tea, coffee & biscuits and a QA sheet (flying quiz to be completed immediately), he was assisted by his ground crew Davina, Margaret & Greg. He explained our mission was to learn about secret sorties flown from Harrington by the SOE Carpet-Baggers during WWII (SOE became CIA).

Saturday saw us visiting the museum and learning about delivering secret agents to foreign fields. We learnt Joe Holes (3 ft wide in the bottom of Carpet-bagger planes) were not primitive Elsans, but for dropping the agents. We returned to our field to set up for the night’s op. – BBQ and eat at 6pm. All units took off although Vic Baker had underheating problems. The LO girls issued fruit & jelly and primed them with fresh cream – very nice. We then all relax to play ‘Call My Bluff’, I still think there were no right answers on several questions! Winning crew was Brian & Judy Moseley aided by Ken Wootton. The whole squadron then circled home base beacons until driven by hunger / greed the beacons were used to make Toast.

Sunday Flag continued the aeronautical theme when Richard thanked his ground crew Davina, Margaret and Greg. It was Ken Wootton who placqued & thanked Richard and his Crew for such an innovative theme for the weekend based on the fact we were on a WWII airfield, for the flags, windsocks, model planes and helicopters used to decorate the site – sorry, airfield. Richard gave Vic Baker a diploma for attending all three ‘Trains, Boats & Planes’ rallies. He then announced top points in the aeronautic quiz had been scored by Ken, but Clive Gott had managed to tie, as Ken had forgotten to answer one question!

Thank you Richard & Davina for such an inventive rally. If any reader didn’t understand some of the above just come along next year. Get out of it now Richard!

New Ralliers Annice & George Holden

Diane, David and DJ Millers 50th