LAA Rally 2-4 Sept at POPHAM

[zz]

As per the thread title, the rally to be held at Popham this year.

LAA Grass Roots Rally Fri 2nd - Sun 4Th September 

[dave]

hi,
i've only been Popham for 3 micro-light fairs, so going by them, just wondering if a good LAA turnout could be accommodated here... also the proximity to Farnborough.

regards,
dave...

[zz]

I guess there may a shortage of space for an LAA rally- aircraft parking, car parking, camping, exhibition space, trade stalls….
Going back a few years, some of the microlight fairs had hundreds of aircraft here- parked the other side of the cross runway, parked in several long rows alongside the A303. There were probably as many aircraft as there have been in recent Sywell LAA fly ins but less of the other requirements from the above list.

I don’t think the fly in will be affected by Farnborough. It holds the microlight trade fair and many other fly ins.
Conversely, it seems more likely that Farnborough may be affected by airspace infringements by unfamiliar pilots…

[rj]

There is room if they adjust the layout put the car park further up the hill and move the area where the exhibition will go further back too. I think you will get more in the way of slower homebuilts and microlights. The Sywell slot system puts off lots of people, Popham wont have that issue as its unlicenced. More issue with the SOU airspace than Farnborough.
One thing for sure a local AFA member might be regretting this years holiday choice!

Rob

[Deleted]

The LAA press release is as follows:-


LAA “GRASS ROOTS FLY IN”

POPHAM AIRFIELD


2nd to 4th September 2022


The LAA will be heading for the green grass of Popham Airfield in Hampshire for a new event on 2nd, 3rd, 4th September 2022. The LAA Grass Roots Fly-In will on one hand take the Association back to its traditional roots, while continuing to offer the first chance to see some of the latest aircraft and products in the recreational aviation market.

A joint venture with Popham Airfield, the LAA Grass Roots Fly In will continue the theme of the recent LAA Rallies at Sywell, in particular as a social event bringing flyers from around the UK and Europe to meet fellow enthusiasts. The event though will be developed on a more intimate scale. The grass runways at Popham and the airfield’s famed rural ambience will mean that the event will focus on the fly-in and social element as much as on a large exhibition campus.


Said LAA CEO Steve Slater: “The LAA Grass Roots Fly In is going to be different to the LAA Rally and we’re still working on plans for the continuation of a larger scale LAA event in the future. Our move from Sywell though is a great opportunity for us to focus on creating a refreshing new take on the traditional LAA calendar fixture, something both different and at the same time taking us back to our roots.

“The LAA Grass Roots Fly In will make the most of Popham’s grass runways and its reputation as one of the most friendly and enthusiastic airfields in the country, to offer members and guests alike a great weekend at the start of September”.

So reading between the lines it is a smaller version of the usual rally, but at least it is an event- manner from heaven for you lads down there- ideal for me as I am going with friends to Austria from Southampton on the Saturday and Popham is on my way down to Southampton on the Friday- so a quick detour will be made. 

I suppose Sywell was not on the cards with the fire at the hotel- and the owners looking at making a motor racing track on the airfield. Hopefully the LAA may consider a cheeky event up our neck of the woods one day.   

Happy Days

Bob

[davidallum]

Apr 14, 2022 15:01:51 GMT rj said:

There is room if they adjust the layout put the car park further up the hill and move the area where the exhibition will go further back too. I think you will get more in the way of slower homebuilts and microlights. The Sywell slot system puts off lots of people, Popham wont have that issue as its unlicenced. More issue with the SOU airspace than Farnborough.
One thing for sure a local AFA member might be regretting this years holiday choice!

Rob

That local AFA member is me,off to Cornwall for a week with the whole family & dog in tow from Friday 2nd-Friday 9th.

[Deleted]

See you at the Cafe Midday Friday then Dave- just think how many Brownie points you will get taking the family to Cornwall, when the reduced Rally is on- Love Cornwall if it was a choice between Popham and Cornwall I know which one I would choose- Cornwall.

Happy Days

Bob

[davidallum]

Believe it or not Bob,I've never really been to Cornwall but my wife has loads of time when she used to go with her brother and parents every Sept/Oct.This year my daughter in law wanted a break before returning to work after maternity leave and as at that time it certainly looked like that there wasn't going to be a LAA Rally I said yes so we have rented a holiday house for three family parties and a dog.I'm hoping to visit some airfields in the vicinity whilst I'm there.

[Deleted]

The majority of airfields are very Friendly- the last couple of  times we visited we stayed in North Cornwall at a place called Delabole - very close to an airfield called Davidstow Moor which has a Museum nearby and all you see when you drive in is a load of sheep  and some old buildings which do contain aircraft- if you do venture up that far there is about a dozen aircraft in the various buildings -but keep a look out for sheep droppings.

Also visited Bodmin, Newquay, Lands End, Culdrose,  Perranporth, St Merryn, Penzance Heliport, Liskerd Heliport.

Grahams your man for Cornwall though maybe able to give you some more info.

But best of all about Cornwall is the pasties.


Happy Days

Bob  

[graham]

Dave, Bob has pretty much given you the definitive list for Cornwall above, all I'd add would be Barton Farm at Roche near St Austell, you'll see the low flying aircraft signs on the A38 dual carriageway, I haven't been for about five years and back then, there were only 3 or 4 based aircraft which as it turned out, I seen all of them previously. Also there's Porthtowan Trevissick Farm, a small grass strip with three residents including G-ABTC, a Comper CLA7 Swift.There used to be a grass strip just outside Truro but when I was last down there, I looked for the place but could only find fields so looks like that has gone.

I don't think you do military so probably not of importance but Predannack is just down the Lizard road south from Culdrose. The only way to get a decent view of the inmates there is to walk the cliff path from Kynance Cove but it's a bit of a trek. You can see ( but not read off..) the wrecked frames from the National Trust car park above Kynance but as it's five quid to park, then you'll probably give it a miss anyway.

Castle Air at Liskeard heliport is easy enough to find, as you head west along the A38 dual carriageway from Trerulefoot roundabout, you go down a long, shallow hill, and as the road begins to bear slightly to the right, you'll see a turn off on the left for "Trebrownbridge", there may well also be a sign for Castle Motors/Castle Air, I don't recall. You'll see the Ligntning on the pole, drive down past that and continue on down the lane, follow the white, low fence, hangers on the left, usually open, often a chopper or two outside and make sure you drive right to the dead end as there's often something tucked away down there, plenty of room to turn.

As Bob says, Bodmin and Perranporth are ultra friendly, ask in the tower at both and you'll almost certainly be given hanger access.

[Deleted]

Thanks Graham- jogged my memory I went looking for Roche but must have driven past the entrance- so never made that one and the one with the Comper Swift based did not try that one either- I think the Swift had an accident at the airfield a couple of years ago- and Predannack- gave that one a miss as well as we had spent a couple of hours at Culdrose. But I am in the National Trust so I will bear the car park in mind on my next visit. 

Happy Days

Bob  

[graham]

Just beware on that cliff path from Kynance Bob, I walked it as part of a coastal hike a few years ago, it was a hot summer's day and the cliffsides are covered with gorse. I saw the first Adder sunning itself on a rock after a hundred yards and several more between there and Predannack. But as said, you can park in the NT car park and see what's there with decent bins and of course, plenty of lists of residents on various websites.

[Deleted]

Apr 17, 2022 9:28:12 GMT graham said:

Just beware on that cliff path from Kynance Bob, I walked it as part of a coastal hike a few years ago, it was a hot summer's day and the cliffsides are covered with gorse. I saw the first Adder sunning itself on a rock after a hundred yards and several more between there and Predannack. But as said, you can park in the NT car park and see what's there with decent bins and of course, plenty of lists of residents on various websites.

Thanks Graham- had heard about snakes in that area- better not tell the good lady as she would freak. Lol

Happy days

Bob

[Deleted]

Well Popham could very well be on for myself this year, as because of my beloved having the treatment and her immune system being well down for several months after same- we made the decision with our friends to cancel our Austria trip- as it was on a coach two days going and the same coming back would have taken a lot out of her- and with Covid still being quite prevalent in the countries we were going through to get to the venue namely France, Belgium and Germany. 

Explained the reason for cancelling to Leger who we were going with and we just got told no refund- only voucher for somewhere else on the same time- sad really. So just lost our deposits. Pity the restrictions had been listed by the Gov as Leger had said you could move  your holiday or have a voucher. Sods law then we cancelled after the restrictions had been lifted.

We were also due to go to Cyprus in September/October with Tui -who when we explained the reason were fantastic and we were able to move that holiday to next April- first class service. 

So it's the UK for us this year- and a trip to Popham for the Grass Roots is now on the cards. 

Happy Days

Bob

[dave]

hi Bob,
sorry to hear of what you've said, hope the mrs goes on ok... as to sod's law my daughters had a holiday booked with Ryanair back in year 1 of the covid , it took them months to get the refund that should have been given in i think 2 weeks, and the time on the phone was unbelievable...

regards,
dave...

[Deleted]

Apr 26, 2022 9:46:35 GMT dave said:

hi Bob,
sorry to hear of what you've said, hope the mrs goes on ok... as to sod's law my daughters had a holiday booked with Ryanair back in year 1 of the covid , it took them months to get the refund that should have been given in i think 2 weeks, and the time on the phone was unbelievable...

regards,
dave...

Thanks Dave- she is going to be ok, but when we were away this weekend- a bit of walking took it out of her- don't realise how much chemo takes out of the body, and with three consecutive weeks of Radiotherapy starting tomorrow (15 consecutive days) we don't know how much effect that will take out of her as well- so it was a no brainer to cancel the Austria holiday which had lots of walking in it so would not have been really enjoyable. Leger did say you can claim on your insurance, but we did not have any as we were waiting until after the treatment had finished. But we only lost £200 so not the end of the world.

Thanks again for your kind words mate.

Happy Days

Bob

[graham]

Don't get me started on the way tour companies have treated customers this past couple of years Bob. They have done everything to avoid repaying monies. We booked a trip to Crete for September 2020 way back in 2019 before any of this crap had hit the fan. The travel company wrote to us cancelling the holiday as indeed they most likely did to everyone in 2020, no fault of their own. We were told we could either have a voucher for another similar holiday to be taken as and when things were better or a refund "minus our costs". I told them we wanted our money back in full and we did eventually receive it all back.

We then had a cottage holiday in N Devon booked for spring 2021 and of course, that was cancelled by the letting company who asked me to call their office in Barnstaple. I called as requested, some bint answers the phone and before I could say anything, she says, " are you ringing to cancel your holiday?" I said, "no, you've cancelled, it". A ploy no doubt Bob to get the customer to say "yes, I'm calling about my cancelled holiday" and getting them to say it was they, the customer who were cancelling. Sharp practice.

The final one was another cottage booked for Cornwall in early summer 2021, again, note from letting agency to say "cancelled". Called the office in St Austell where this obnoxious toe rag who was obviously the boss tells me, "absolutely no refunds, we'll give you a voucher for the same value to be taken in the next 12 months" which was of no interest to us. I told him I wanted our money back and he refused and starts spouting off about some "new T & Cs" he'd added to the agreements which though, unfortunately for him, was well after we'd booked. When he realised we had him over a barrel, he then launches into a tirade about how "people like us just don't understand what a rough time we've had in the hospitality business".

I repeated that we wanted our money back, he then says, "I had 70 cottages let for the same week as you, and you're the only people who've asked for a refund" to which I told him that if that were the case, then he was very lucky indeed and should count his good fortune.

Final gambit was to tell him that if he didn't give us a full refund, then I would be seeking advice from our solicitor, he slammed the phone down, but within twenty minutes, the full refund was in my bank account. Just to have the last word, this idiot then sends me a rant of an email, again, telling me how insensitive I was to his position and that if everyone asked for their money back, he would have to cease trading.

I fully appreciate that the hospitality business has probably been harder hit than most, after all, I look after Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall for my company and saw first hand what effect it had. But these chancers who rewrite the rules to suit themselves and work on the basis of " the loudest voice will win" have no sympathy from me at all.

Very best wishes to your Jan mate, sending positive waves for a speedy recovery.

[chrisj]

Well , Graham , how come you did not expect such a negative response from someone in Barnstaple ? Try living here ! The area seems to have more than it's fair share of money grabbers of all sorts . BUT there are some good people here also so I suppose that cancels out the bad ones . To Bob and Mrs Bob , best wishes and hope things turn out fine . Chrisj

[Deleted]

Thanks Graham and Chris- 1st radiotherapy completed this morning only 14 to go.  Ref Leger I was disappointed that they did not even take into consideration that Jan was having treatment for cancer- surely it would have been in there own interest to issue us with a voucher for another coach tour to be booked at our leisure. But I suppose you learn by your mistakes.

Happy Days

Bob

[billsamuels]

Apr 27, 2022 16:05:07 GMT @mrbluesky said:

Thanks Graham and Chris- 1st radiotherapy completed this morning only 14 to go.  Ref Leger I was disappointed that they did not even take into consideration that Jan was having treatment for cancer- surely it would have been in there own interest to issue us with a voucher for another coach tour to be booked at our leisure. But I suppose you learn by your mistakes.

Happy Days

Bob

Hi Bob,

Best wishes to you and especially your wife Bob, I’m sure you’ll both get a very positive outcome. 

You’ll soon be back planning more trips (non spotting, of course). 

Stay safe mate.

Bill

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2022 19:52:37 GMT billsamuels said:

Apr 27, 2022 16:05:07 GMT @mrbluesky said:

Thanks Graham and Chris- 1st radiotherapy completed this morning only 14 to go.  Ref Leger I was disappointed that they did not even take into consideration that Jan was having treatment for cancer- surely it would have been in there own interest to issue us with a voucher for another coach tour to be booked at our leisure. But I suppose you learn by your mistakes.

Happy Days

Bob

Hi Bob,

Best wishes to you and especially your wife Bob, I’m sure you’ll both get a very positive outcome. 

You’ll soon be back planning more trips (non spotting, of course). 

Stay safe mate.

Bill

Thanks Bill- Jan is going to be ok- just need to get through another 14 radiotherapy treatments then we are on our way- Radley for another Non-Spotting trip Lol.

Happy Days

Bob

[graham]

Chris, we've had some great stays at Barnstaple, or rather just outside at Landkey where we've rented the same cottage a few times. We would love to have gone back this year but it's booked solid right through until Spring 2023. Love the whole area around there.

[chrisj]

Graham , whilst I can understand your feelings for the area , I live here because 'The Other Half' is a local ! The infrastructure is not good for any travel and more so since the start of Covid . I had an excellent connection with National Express from right outside our door for a day trip to Heathrow but as the operator changed so did the times and now following the pandemic there are no connections to LHR ! A day by train , if i could get a mortgage for the ticket , is impossible too . ( I know LHR is not for everyone) . Strange you should mention Landkey . My wife's best friend lived there in her For Ever Home until December when she moved to near Luton as it was too quiet here abouts ! So as with most things , it is Each to Their own . Hope you find some place here abouts as many more are being built . Chris

[rugbyref]

Our tale of woe relates to BA. My wife’s Avios were about to time expire, so we booked flights to Newcastle from LHR to coincide with our anniversary. Hotel booked, car park at LHR booked and paid. Then late last night an email to say both flights cancelled.
So I phone this morning, sit in a queue, get cut off. Call again, sit in a queue and eventually get a call centre staffed with heavily accented Indian staff. (I could hear other Indian voices in the background, so obviously not a one-off.) I had to ask him to slow down and speak clearly.
I got the refund of the air fare process started, but they directed me to a website complaint process to claim the car park cost. I also told them that they were preventing us from topping up the Avios, so have requested they credit those too.....we shall see!

[graham]

Hi Chris, as a resident I can fully understand that there's possibly not a great deal to do and that public transport links are bad. For us, the cottage in Landkey was the perfect retreat, dog friendly, exceptionally peaceful and the Tarka Trail accessible just 50 yards from the front door. We would take the pooches to Braunton Burrows or Saunton Sands most days for a huge beach walk, which they love.

We stumbled across a wonderful craft beer shop in Butcher's Row last time we were there, Crafty's I believe it was called, on the other side of the road from the pannier market and spent a considerable amount of money in there during the week's stay and brought a load home with us too.

[chrisj]

Hi Graham , I am not sure if Crafty's is still there as we tend not to go down Butcher's Row often ( nor into Barnstaple ) . If I recall , it was well served so may still be there . The council have 'great plans' for Butcher's Row which includes closing it off to traffic and many bars and bistros there with outside seating ! Bring your own brolly with the UK weather ! As for the Burrows and Saunton Sands - bring a mortgage to cover car parking from what I have been told . We have friends over there so park on their property and take a walk . As you probably know Landkey has it's Millennium Park which is really very good for walks and well looked after . Have you tried again for accommodation in the area as I am sure there must be some available ? Bye . Chris

[andover]

Farnborough road traffic info (as at Friday 29th April) ....

Heads up for any guys and girls who may be making the Popham trip this weekend via Farnborough.

There is a an event (Fully Charged Show) at the Farnborough Conference Centre Friday 29th April through the weekend.

Road traffic has been particularly busy at the Holiday-Inn roundabout as visitors by car queue for the Farnborough event
before the 10am official opening.

[graham]

Hi Chris

We last came down in November 2019 to stay at Landkey, as far as I recall, the parking charges weren't that bad but of course, it may well have changed during the last two and a half years. I recall taking a back road to one of the beaches and spotting a Hunter in someone's garden.

[chrisj]

Graham , Not sure on that Hunter's location now . If it is the one in RN marks then it had been at Eaglescott airfield , opposite Sandy Lane Farm at Saunton ( farm had a strip at one time but not seen any use of late ) . Hunter at Mulacot industrial estate and as you say , in a garden . It got about a fair bit ! W & R latest could probably give current location . ( I must get one soon ) . Parking charges - well that depends on one's point of view and many places are trying to make up for Covid losses and who can blame them ? Chris

[Deleted]

Hi Peeps,

Tickets are on SALE today for the event on the LAA site and via the Eventbrite link on same- £10 for one day £20 for the three.

Happy Days

Bob