The Golding Barrett Trophy - 2008

CD's Report
I awake to the sound of raindrops on glass and watch low cloud scudding past the window. Not a day for aerobatics. I pinch myself. Was it only yesterday that we sat for ten long hours in glorious sunshine on a beautiful late spring day, on a perfect English airfield in Shropshire?

A good competition is one where you achieve a result and all go home happy. A really great one is where everyone at the host airfield goes that little bit further to make sure that we are not only welcome, but that everything is as clockwork for the event. This was just so and it is appropriate on this occasion that we start with the thanks. Chris, Nathan, Jenny, Jim, John, Mark and the Restaurant team, Fire Crew, Shropshire Aero Club members and visitors - you all were the real stars of the show. Thank you each and every one of you. Ron, your invitation as Chairman to return next year is gladly accepted on behalf of all who attended this weekend. We had a fabulous time.

You know that you are on to a winner when most of the country is smothered in low cloud and rain, yet the two BAeA venues for the day are dry, have a decent cloud-base and light winds. So it was on Friday morning, as we put the last pieces of the organisational jigsaw into place and sat back awaiting the arrival of the competitors. On the dot of the first briefing, sole Beginner Dan Seagrave in his T67 arrived with cheerleader Rhiannan, having left Boscombe Down as the clag was lifting. Treated to a most thorough personal briefing by CD, Ian Scott as CJ and Chris Jones and Nathan Cross for the airfield, Dan launched from Rwy 36 into his very own aerobatic heaven. Despite succumbing to the siren seductions of Sleap’s 23/05 as an axis for a couple of figures, he flew a sweet sequence and was rightly judged as Number 1. Well done, Dan!

Standard pilots then started to appear, to add to those who had arrived early on Thursday or by road. Tales of low cloud bases, scud running and pessimism for the competition quickly evaporated as the briefing was completed to schedule and the judging line assembled. Yorkshire’s finest, Yankee Charlie, sent Richard Jones to set the bar and we were off. After 14 flights and a few more excursions down the 05 axis, we had the Known in the bag. SAC’s fine hangar was filled to the brim and we set off in search of refreshment and rest. For those who enjoyed the fantastic hospitality of the Burlton Inn, it was a memorable night of banter, superb food and the camaraderie that fuels our sport. For the record, Jungmistress Annabelle Burroughes clearly defeated Decathlon driver David Thomson in the battle of the tents.

Saturday dawned fair. Then cloudy. Then fair again, all before 07.00 breakfast. We rattled the briefing through to set the scene for the Advanced pilots who had now joined the party, some following a very successful training camp with Wakers in darkest Herefordshire. With 56 flights to complete, the first Standard Unknown needed to be away for 09.00 and it duly was. And again at 09.30, 09.45… low cloud in the box threatened to spoil things for a number of early competitors, but they stood their ground and we reached the fourteenth flight by mid-day. Straight into the Advanced Known without delay and the growing crowd warmed to the spectacle of some high quality aerobatics. A free break was scorned by some, but quickly proved its value to others and challenged the CJ to determine fair break from foul.

Judges and their assistants are hardy folk and the bonus of being adjacent to facilities was offset by the lack of time to actually benefit from them. They were permitted a short interlude for a superb Sleap picnic, but then straight back to frying in the by now quite glorious sunshine. At this point we were also joined by our delightful VVIP guests Veryan, Bryher and Charlie Golding-Barrett to bring a little poignancy to the Standard trophy.

Advanced completed by 14.00 we were now looking likely to achieve a full programme. David Keane led Standard with two superb scores, followed by a gaggle of potentials, while the International competitor, Eddie Goggins, threatened once again to make off with the goods at Advanced. All down to the afternoon unknowns. While the Standard sequence could be described as tricky, the Advanced brought out those perplexed frowns that delight our leaders from time-to-time. It had been prepared so as to challenge in preparation for an international competition the previous year and it served its purpose admirably. 05 struck again several times, some disappeared almost out of view and Space actually caused the Tower to call an infringement to the box until they realised it was him trying to get back into it. Even poor old Ronnie Allan looked like he would have preferred his usual role of CD.

Finally to the honours. David Kean was a most deserving winner of the Golding-Barrett trophy, presented by Veryan in memory of her husband. Any one of the following four could have won on another day with excellent scores in the mid-70’s. At Advanced Mr ‘G’ prevailed and collected Gold along with the Icicle trophy he won earlier in the year. Gary Ferriman was in excellent form just behind and Stephen Madle pipped Dave Kaberry and both his stable mate and Uncle to the Bronze.
My personal thanks to Ian Scott and to Jen and Nick for making this an easy show to direct. To the judges and their assistants, your patience and endurance were essential and appreciated. In the end I think everyone who attended this competition in any capacity was a winner this weekend.....

Steve Todd
Contest Director