May 2021 Update

We continued our zoom get togethers in May with an excellent talk by Ian Gee, director of the Waterbird project on the history of flying boats on Windermere and their project which is nearing completion to build and fly over Windermere, a replica of the original.  It is a little-known fact that Windermere was the birthplace of flying boats anywhere in the world before the First World War as well as the home of the Sunderland Flying boat during the Second World War. The original Waterbird made its first short flight over Windermere in 1910. The replica is preparing to take to our skies again, over a century later.  It has been proven to fly as a landplane and is awaiting regulatory approval to take off and land, and display over Windermere.  Although the question of whether the first flying boat was Waterbird is disputed by France and the US who were developing prototypes at the same time, there is good evidence supported by a sworn declaration that this was indeed a world first for Windermere.  During the 1910s the original Waterbird that carried only the pilot was superseded by the larger Waterhen that carried passengers and freight and was the precursor of larger American flying boats that saw service against German U Boats during the First World War. Some of these were manned by former students of the Flying School at Windermere.

In the early post war years, there were passenger, freight and pleasure flights from Windermere, including newspaper flights to the Isle of Man. These subsequently were overtaken by what are now more conventional means of transport, until the development of the Sunderland Flying Boat factory at White Cross Bay, whose slipway remains on the site, and which is a whole separate story. Members of our Club and many guests who attended (by zoom of course during lockdown) eagerly await the project receiving regulatory approval and Waterbird again gracing the skies over Windermere.   Many thanks Alan for this write up.

On Tuesday 18th May the club celebrated its first face to face gathering since February 2020 with the Ambleside Comedy History Tour. The evening proved very popular with lots of walking, talking and plenty of hilarity from Dr Paul Davies, Jem the Juggler & Rowan.  Over 20 members and friends were taken on a historical (& hysterical) walk of Old Ambleside by Paul and Jem with tales ranging from Aunt Maggie’s bloomers being stolen by a large rat to the heavy garden gnome which mysteriously arrived 120’ up the Church Tower during restoration. He even had a name badge hanging around his neck - Egbert!!

With Jem’s juggling acts and Pauls comedy routines throughout the walk we were well entertained finalising the tour at Rothay Park where we were treated to Rowan’s juggling, fire eating and escapology skills.   A very entertaining evening which we would definitely recommend to all. More details can be found on their web Fairly Famous Family | Street Theatre from Cumbria ...https://fairlyfamousfamily.co.uk

The club agreed to donate £200 to the Calvert Trusts appeal to help adults and children to build confidence and self-esteem by taking part in adventurous outdoor activities at the Keswick centre.

We hope to be able to give more info regarding future face to face club meetings and proposed events upon receipt of Government updates.