1974-2009
2009 Long Mynd.
We were blessed with 5 competition days out of 8 but there was some interesting flying on the other days too though often not starting until late in the afternoon. A field of 32 gliders stretched the MGC launch system but it managed to deliver 30 launches an hour. We flew over 17,000km in the week with Justin Wills achieving the longest flight ever from the Mynd of 837k to East Anglia eventually landing at Gransden Lodge. Other flights to Sutton Bank, Isle of Wight, Snowdon and the far reaches of Wales delighted all and we also managed to retrieve our plate from Camp Hill. Third overall was John Wand , second Rod Witter and Justin Wills took first place. The Cadman Trophy went to local pilot James Fisher for circumnavigating the Birmingham TMA. The Blunt Nails trophy for best young pilot went to Alex Ward in 323. The new trophy for the most enterprising flight in a turbo after an engine start went to Lindsay McLane.
2008 North Hill
The weather was not kind – with a low cloud base, torrential showers and a very brisk wind for most of the week. 35 gliders competed on 5 flying days in conditions that would not normally have seen any cross country flying. The first day, in typical Enterprise spirit, carried bonus points for flying over the sea and resulted in Nick Gaunt (2nd) and Martin Woolner (3rd) managing to claim Sea points by flying over the South and North coasts respectively! The day winner was Ron Johns who pretended to be a balloon until he identified a sea breeze front and used it to boost his score with bonus “into wind” points. This set the scene for the rest of the week and despite the challenging conditions over 9,400km were flown. The trophies were presented by Val Fielden to Lindsay McLane 1st, Ron Johns 2nd and the John Cadman Trophy and Simon Leeson and Mark Courtney (nicknamed the Dukes of Hazard in North Hill’s DG505) 3rd. Martin Woolner received the Blunt Nails trophy.
2007 Sutton Bank
A surprising 6 competition days out of 8 in a 2 month period dominated by appalling weather although 2 days were spent dodging cu nims and twisters. 300+km were achieved on the 1st 4 days, with Justin Wills excelling on day 3 with 625 km. The John Cadman trophy was won by local lad Lindsay McLane who, on day 1, was the only pilot to exceed 300km by switching from thermals and using the wave to 9,000ft. On the last day, wave was used on the 100 km ridge task giving speeds from 136 to 207kph!! Justin was the overall winner with Lindsay a very close 2nd and our weatherman Phil King 3rd. Novice Liam Watt (a recipient of the John Fielden Junior Scholarship) flying a Ka8, managed 189km, came 6th overall and won the Blunt Nails trophy.
2006 Aboyne
15 years to return to Aboyne but worth the wait. Flying every day, bar one, and very usable wave for the first 6 days (max 20,000ft). Good thermals then dominated with 7,000ft cloud base allowing memorable trips to Ben Nevis. Justin Wills and Rory O’Conor won 3 days each but Justin’s 663km just got him 1st place overall, with Rory’s 533km on the next day giving him a close 2nd and the John Cadman trophy. Our scorer Andrew Reid came 3rd and ‘Best Wood’ went to Stuart Naylor & Billy Fisher in Twin Astir (Fulmar)
2005 Long Mynd
The overall winner of the 8-day event was Phil King of Leamington Spa with Rory O’Conor of Yorkshire second and Justin Wills of New Zealand third. Jon Hall was the highest placed Mynd pilot at 8th. The Hill Aviation Services award for the best performance by young pilots went jointly to Sarah Platt of Craven Arms and Richard Billany of Burton-on-Trent, both Mynd pilots.
The total distance flown by all the gliders during the event was in excess of 30,000 kilometers.
2004 Aston Down
Saw the comp at Aston Down for the first time. The weather was flyable but most days were a struggle such that some extremely Enterprising flying was done. We were also dogged by airspace problems for the first time. As the only wooden glider Chris Nicholas’s Ka6e was inevitably again ‘Best Wood’ but the really sad thing is that he has now sold it and bought into glass! Paul Kite, Nimbus3, won over local boy Andreas Jelden a newcomer to the comp.
2003 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank again and the weather was quite kind, giving us 6 contest days. Again 2 seaters 1st & 2nd and not “Big Wings” either. Mike Fox won with 2 A/c & 3 Co-pilots! DG500/Janus A & Steffi Frassl (Austria)/C.Tagg/Luke Roberts, followed by Justin Wills/Bob Starmer/Mike Pope in DuoDiscus. Chris Nicholas was “Best Wood” in K6e – the only wood entry this year!
2002 North Hill
Back to North Hill but sadly without John Fielden. Big wings/2 seaters led the way with Mick Wells ASH 25 1st just holding off Bob Starmer Duo Discus and Ron Johns ASH 25. Paul Kite won the John Cadman Trophy by visiting Lasham when they were grounded. Chris Nicholas again Best Wood in his Ka6E. We invited some Juniors who found the tasks challenging but their leader, Andy Perkins, had the last laugh by playing tennis with a nubile young lady shortly after landing out.
2001 North Hill
Total disaster! North Hill had to cancel because of the Foot and Mouth epidemic and so we moved to Sutton Bank. They then had to do the same! A much deserved tribute to John Fielden, long-term maestro and defender of Enterprise was held, much to his surprise. The weather offered wave then thermal enjoyed by a stalwart few, managing some cross country flying from Sutton Bank then Rufforth keeping outside the proscribed zones.
2000 Chauvigny
Chauvigny, in France. Enterprise made very welcome by the local club and 2 excellent days were enjoyed with flights up to 495 km (Jon Hart, Vega), 2 other mediocre competition days, but bad weather prevailed again. Alastair Macgregor, Discus BT won; Les Blows, LS3-17 2nd; and “Best Wood” Ron Davidson, SB5b.
1999 Feshiebridge
Feshiebridge, in the Cairngorm Mountains, for the first time. The weather was dreadful but 3 tasks achieved and some very enterprising flying. Won by Nick Gaunt, LS7 with Mike Wood 2nd. Chris Nicholas, Ka6E was “BestWood” and while not being able to fly far, found it extremely beautiful. Andy Anderson won the John Cadman Trophy, “Most Meritorious Flight”.
1998 North Hill
Lleweni Park gave way to a Silver Anniversary at the home of ‘Enterprise’, North Hill. Some very interesting flying, in low cloud conditions, including wave, convergence’s and low scrapes. Paul Kite won with Rod Witter 2nd. John Hart won the new ‘enterprise’ Silver Bowl with which we said a very sad farewell to John Cadman.
1997 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank, and to quote an old Geordie song, ‘the rain it poored doon aal the day and made the groond quite muddy’. We didn’t fly ’til the Thursday but learned a lot about Yorkshire on the ground! Nick Gaunt won again with Stuart Thackray 2nd & Steve Longland 3rd. Locals will out!
1996 North Hill
North Hill put on a brave face but ‘not a vintage year’ comes to mind though some amazing performances were made in ‘grot’. The best weather was for the ‘fly home’ day on the last Sunday for those who were able to stay. Nick Gaunt (LS7) beat Jay Rebbeck (Ka6) into 2nd place but he was the very well earned ‘Best Wood’.
1995 Sutton Bank
Eight days out of 8 at Sutton Bank with every sort of soaring weather for a brilliant week! E.g. Nottingham in thermal and back by sea-breeze front & Newark by wave & back by thermal across the Humber. Justin won in his ‘Glass Slipper’ closely chased by Mike Brook, SHK, as ‘Best Wood’ including 718km one day!
1994 Colmar, France
Second French foray. To Colmar for 1500′ thermal tops forcing us to point cameras upwards for TP’s on top of hills & unlandable vineyards all around. Moved 300km W. to Troyes to flat land but still ‘inverted’. Nuclear power came to our rescue! Nick Gaunt (LS7) won, Gerry Martin (O.Cirrus) 2nd, Bill Longstaff 3rd & ‘Best Wood’ in his Dart.
1993 North Hill
A mixed bag with low cloudbases at North Hill in which we flew 7 out of 8 days and sent everyone to the coast on one of them. The initial reaction of ‘water and gliders don’t mix’ quickly changed to delight at having flown along the cliffs. John Cadman/Tim Harrison won with Damien le Roux and Gerry Martin in hot pursuit.
1992 Sutton Bank
More English weather, 4 days at Sutton Bank, headed by Justin Wills, LS6. Damien le Roux, Ka6CR, was second and ‘Best Wood’. An autumn ‘extra’ at Denbigh, organised & won by Rod Witter, got 2 more days in.
1991 Aboyne
Hot, sunny, easterlies at Aboyne with an inversion below the mountain tops meant that only experienced ‘Rock Polishers’ could make the distances. John Bally, Nimbus 3, won substantially, with a tie of the ‘Vegas’ of Justin Wills/Mike Pope & Dave White for 2nd. Tony Smallwood was again ‘Best Wood’ in the Gull 1.
1990 North Hill
‘English summer’ weather at North Hill provided only 4 days but some good distances were flown. Dave Reilly, harking back to 1976, triumphed in the Libelle over John Bally with Chris Nicholas, in the ‘Best Wood’ Ka6E, third.
1989 Le Blanc in France
First foreign foray – Le Blanc in France. John Bally won and a rest day was ‘allowed’ for crews to get their Diamonds! Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, was ‘Best Wood’ and 4th overall. 37,219 kms & many, many, hours of flying by 20 gliders.
1988 North Hill
Back to ‘home’ at North Hill and 11,457 kms flown. Justin won, in his LS6, with Tony Moulang et al (K13) again ‘Best Wood’.
1987 Aboyne
Aboyne did it again with 8 soaring days out of 8. Justin Wills won with Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, not far behind and “Best Wood”.
1986 North Hill
North Hill. An incredible 22,000 kms flown on only 4 competition days. Tony Maitland won for the second time.
1985 Sutton Bank
Enterprise at Sutton Bank. John Cadman won in spite of his engine and John Bally just managed the supermarket at Boulogne!
1984 North Hill
North Hill gave a week of excellent thermals. John Bally won in his ASW 20FL and flew 2173 km in 29 hrs 39 minutes, an ‘Enterprise’ record.
1983 Aboyne
Aboyne was the new venue and provided plenty of wave and enjoyment. Colin Cruse, Nimbus 2c won with Paul Griffiths and Alan Clarke second in their Astir.
1982 North Hill
North Hill was in fairly benign mood. Chris Simpson flew his ASW20L to victory. Lemmy Tanner was second with Ron Perry, third and ‘Best Wood’ in his Skylark 4.
1981 Shobdon
Shobdon for the second time. John Cadman won in his Mosquito; Norman Smith was ‘Best Wooden Ship’.
1980 North Hill
Back to North Hill. Chris Simpson won, hotly pursued by Tony Maitland and Justin Wills.
1979 Shobdon
Enterprise was held at Shobdon – the first away match! It was won by Tony Moulang. Tony Smallwood was awarded ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Gull 1.
1978 North Hill
Justin Wills won again this year with Ken Wilkinson second in his Kestrel. Tony Maitland was third. The weather was greatly improved from the previous year. A good time was had by all.
1977 North Hill
At last the Wills monopoly of top position was broken and the first prize went to Tony Maitland in his Diamant, Paul Richer was ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6. This was a really bad year for weather with only 2 days competition.
1976 North Hill
Once again Justin Wills won in his Std. Libelle demonstrating his remarkable consistency. A special prize for Top Wooden Ship and another for top local pilot went to Dave Reilly in his Skylark 4. John Fielden set a cross-channel task and Mike Carlton & Bill Scull set off for France in Mikes’ Calif but had to turn back when Bill Scull pointed out that the water was getting close and he couldn’t swim!! Maurice Clarke had an ‘enterprising’ retrieve when he landed on a sloping shingle beach at Branscombe much to the surprise of a lone walker.
1975 North Hill
Justin Wills in the Std. Libelle won again. Maurice Clarke won a special award for ‘Top Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6 whilst Tony Smallwood won another special prize for his performance in the Gull 1.
1974 North Hill
The First Competition Enterprise, North Hill, Devon – home of the Devon & Somerset G.C. and home for C.E. for several years. Justin Wills notched up the first of his Enterprise wins in his Std. Libelle. In League 2 (‘Wooden Nails’,< Skylark3), Guy Gothard and friends came first in a T21 and Tony Smallwood was second in the Gull 1.
We were blessed with 5 competition days out of 8 but there was some interesting flying on the other days too though often not starting until late in the afternoon. A field of 32 gliders stretched the MGC launch system but it managed to deliver 30 launches an hour. We flew over 17,000km in the week with Justin Wills achieving the longest flight ever from the Mynd of 837k to East Anglia eventually landing at Gransden Lodge. Other flights to Sutton Bank, Isle of Wight, Snowdon and the far reaches of Wales delighted all and we also managed to retrieve our plate from Camp Hill. Third overall was John Wand , second Rod Witter and Justin Wills took first place. The Cadman Trophy went to local pilot James Fisher for circumnavigating the Birmingham TMA. The Blunt Nails trophy for best young pilot went to Alex Ward in 323. The new trophy for the most enterprising flight in a turbo after an engine start went to Lindsay McLane.
2008 North Hill
The weather was not kind – with a low cloud base, torrential showers and a very brisk wind for most of the week. 35 gliders competed on 5 flying days in conditions that would not normally have seen any cross country flying. The first day, in typical Enterprise spirit, carried bonus points for flying over the sea and resulted in Nick Gaunt (2nd) and Martin Woolner (3rd) managing to claim Sea points by flying over the South and North coasts respectively! The day winner was Ron Johns who pretended to be a balloon until he identified a sea breeze front and used it to boost his score with bonus “into wind” points. This set the scene for the rest of the week and despite the challenging conditions over 9,400km were flown. The trophies were presented by Val Fielden to Lindsay McLane 1st, Ron Johns 2nd and the John Cadman Trophy and Simon Leeson and Mark Courtney (nicknamed the Dukes of Hazard in North Hill’s DG505) 3rd. Martin Woolner received the Blunt Nails trophy.
2007 Sutton Bank
A surprising 6 competition days out of 8 in a 2 month period dominated by appalling weather although 2 days were spent dodging cu nims and twisters. 300+km were achieved on the 1st 4 days, with Justin Wills excelling on day 3 with 625 km. The John Cadman trophy was won by local lad Lindsay McLane who, on day 1, was the only pilot to exceed 300km by switching from thermals and using the wave to 9,000ft. On the last day, wave was used on the 100 km ridge task giving speeds from 136 to 207kph!! Justin was the overall winner with Lindsay a very close 2nd and our weatherman Phil King 3rd. Novice Liam Watt (a recipient of the John Fielden Junior Scholarship) flying a Ka8, managed 189km, came 6th overall and won the Blunt Nails trophy.
2006 Aboyne
15 years to return to Aboyne but worth the wait. Flying every day, bar one, and very usable wave for the first 6 days (max 20,000ft). Good thermals then dominated with 7,000ft cloud base allowing memorable trips to Ben Nevis. Justin Wills and Rory O’Conor won 3 days each but Justin’s 663km just got him 1st place overall, with Rory’s 533km on the next day giving him a close 2nd and the John Cadman trophy. Our scorer Andrew Reid came 3rd and ‘Best Wood’ went to Stuart Naylor & Billy Fisher in Twin Astir (Fulmar)
2005 Long Mynd
The overall winner of the 8-day event was Phil King of Leamington Spa with Rory O’Conor of Yorkshire second and Justin Wills of New Zealand third. Jon Hall was the highest placed Mynd pilot at 8th. The Hill Aviation Services award for the best performance by young pilots went jointly to Sarah Platt of Craven Arms and Richard Billany of Burton-on-Trent, both Mynd pilots.
The total distance flown by all the gliders during the event was in excess of 30,000 kilometers.
2004 Aston Down
Saw the comp at Aston Down for the first time. The weather was flyable but most days were a struggle such that some extremely Enterprising flying was done. We were also dogged by airspace problems for the first time. As the only wooden glider Chris Nicholas’s Ka6e was inevitably again ‘Best Wood’ but the really sad thing is that he has now sold it and bought into glass! Paul Kite, Nimbus3, won over local boy Andreas Jelden a newcomer to the comp.
2003 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank again and the weather was quite kind, giving us 6 contest days. Again 2 seaters 1st & 2nd and not “Big Wings” either. Mike Fox won with 2 A/c & 3 Co-pilots! DG500/Janus A & Steffi Frassl (Austria)/C.Tagg/Luke Roberts, followed by Justin Wills/Bob Starmer/Mike Pope in DuoDiscus. Chris Nicholas was “Best Wood” in K6e – the only wood entry this year!
2002 North Hill
Back to North Hill but sadly without John Fielden. Big wings/2 seaters led the way with Mick Wells ASH 25 1st just holding off Bob Starmer Duo Discus and Ron Johns ASH 25. Paul Kite won the John Cadman Trophy by visiting Lasham when they were grounded. Chris Nicholas again Best Wood in his Ka6E. We invited some Juniors who found the tasks challenging but their leader, Andy Perkins, had the last laugh by playing tennis with a nubile young lady shortly after landing out.
2001 North Hill
Total disaster! North Hill had to cancel because of the Foot and Mouth epidemic and so we moved to Sutton Bank. They then had to do the same! A much deserved tribute to John Fielden, long-term maestro and defender of Enterprise was held, much to his surprise. The weather offered wave then thermal enjoyed by a stalwart few, managing some cross country flying from Sutton Bank then Rufforth keeping outside the proscribed zones.
2000 Chauvigny
Chauvigny, in France. Enterprise made very welcome by the local club and 2 excellent days were enjoyed with flights up to 495 km (Jon Hart, Vega), 2 other mediocre competition days, but bad weather prevailed again. Alastair Macgregor, Discus BT won; Les Blows, LS3-17 2nd; and “Best Wood” Ron Davidson, SB5b.
1999 Feshiebridge
Feshiebridge, in the Cairngorm Mountains, for the first time. The weather was dreadful but 3 tasks achieved and some very enterprising flying. Won by Nick Gaunt, LS7 with Mike Wood 2nd. Chris Nicholas, Ka6E was “BestWood” and while not being able to fly far, found it extremely beautiful. Andy Anderson won the John Cadman Trophy, “Most Meritorious Flight”.
1998 North Hill
Lleweni Park gave way to a Silver Anniversary at the home of ‘Enterprise’, North Hill. Some very interesting flying, in low cloud conditions, including wave, convergence’s and low scrapes. Paul Kite won with Rod Witter 2nd. John Hart won the new ‘enterprise’ Silver Bowl with which we said a very sad farewell to John Cadman.
1997 Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank, and to quote an old Geordie song, ‘the rain it poored doon aal the day and made the groond quite muddy’. We didn’t fly ’til the Thursday but learned a lot about Yorkshire on the ground! Nick Gaunt won again with Stuart Thackray 2nd & Steve Longland 3rd. Locals will out!
1996 North Hill
North Hill put on a brave face but ‘not a vintage year’ comes to mind though some amazing performances were made in ‘grot’. The best weather was for the ‘fly home’ day on the last Sunday for those who were able to stay. Nick Gaunt (LS7) beat Jay Rebbeck (Ka6) into 2nd place but he was the very well earned ‘Best Wood’.
1995 Sutton Bank
Eight days out of 8 at Sutton Bank with every sort of soaring weather for a brilliant week! E.g. Nottingham in thermal and back by sea-breeze front & Newark by wave & back by thermal across the Humber. Justin won in his ‘Glass Slipper’ closely chased by Mike Brook, SHK, as ‘Best Wood’ including 718km one day!
1994 Colmar, France
Second French foray. To Colmar for 1500′ thermal tops forcing us to point cameras upwards for TP’s on top of hills & unlandable vineyards all around. Moved 300km W. to Troyes to flat land but still ‘inverted’. Nuclear power came to our rescue! Nick Gaunt (LS7) won, Gerry Martin (O.Cirrus) 2nd, Bill Longstaff 3rd & ‘Best Wood’ in his Dart.
1993 North Hill
A mixed bag with low cloudbases at North Hill in which we flew 7 out of 8 days and sent everyone to the coast on one of them. The initial reaction of ‘water and gliders don’t mix’ quickly changed to delight at having flown along the cliffs. John Cadman/Tim Harrison won with Damien le Roux and Gerry Martin in hot pursuit.
1992 Sutton Bank
More English weather, 4 days at Sutton Bank, headed by Justin Wills, LS6. Damien le Roux, Ka6CR, was second and ‘Best Wood’. An autumn ‘extra’ at Denbigh, organised & won by Rod Witter, got 2 more days in.
1991 Aboyne
Hot, sunny, easterlies at Aboyne with an inversion below the mountain tops meant that only experienced ‘Rock Polishers’ could make the distances. John Bally, Nimbus 3, won substantially, with a tie of the ‘Vegas’ of Justin Wills/Mike Pope & Dave White for 2nd. Tony Smallwood was again ‘Best Wood’ in the Gull 1.
1990 North Hill
‘English summer’ weather at North Hill provided only 4 days but some good distances were flown. Dave Reilly, harking back to 1976, triumphed in the Libelle over John Bally with Chris Nicholas, in the ‘Best Wood’ Ka6E, third.
1989 Le Blanc in France
First foreign foray – Le Blanc in France. John Bally won and a rest day was ‘allowed’ for crews to get their Diamonds! Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, was ‘Best Wood’ and 4th overall. 37,219 kms & many, many, hours of flying by 20 gliders.
1988 North Hill
Back to ‘home’ at North Hill and 11,457 kms flown. Justin won, in his LS6, with Tony Moulang et al (K13) again ‘Best Wood’.
1987 Aboyne
Aboyne did it again with 8 soaring days out of 8. Justin Wills won with Chris Nicholas, Ka6E, not far behind and “Best Wood”.
1986 North Hill
North Hill. An incredible 22,000 kms flown on only 4 competition days. Tony Maitland won for the second time.
1985 Sutton Bank
Enterprise at Sutton Bank. John Cadman won in spite of his engine and John Bally just managed the supermarket at Boulogne!
1984 North Hill
North Hill gave a week of excellent thermals. John Bally won in his ASW 20FL and flew 2173 km in 29 hrs 39 minutes, an ‘Enterprise’ record.
1983 Aboyne
Aboyne was the new venue and provided plenty of wave and enjoyment. Colin Cruse, Nimbus 2c won with Paul Griffiths and Alan Clarke second in their Astir.
1982 North Hill
North Hill was in fairly benign mood. Chris Simpson flew his ASW20L to victory. Lemmy Tanner was second with Ron Perry, third and ‘Best Wood’ in his Skylark 4.
1981 Shobdon
Shobdon for the second time. John Cadman won in his Mosquito; Norman Smith was ‘Best Wooden Ship’.
1980 North Hill
Back to North Hill. Chris Simpson won, hotly pursued by Tony Maitland and Justin Wills.
1979 Shobdon
Enterprise was held at Shobdon – the first away match! It was won by Tony Moulang. Tony Smallwood was awarded ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Gull 1.
1978 North Hill
Justin Wills won again this year with Ken Wilkinson second in his Kestrel. Tony Maitland was third. The weather was greatly improved from the previous year. A good time was had by all.
1977 North Hill
At last the Wills monopoly of top position was broken and the first prize went to Tony Maitland in his Diamant, Paul Richer was ‘Best Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6. This was a really bad year for weather with only 2 days competition.
1976 North Hill
Once again Justin Wills won in his Std. Libelle demonstrating his remarkable consistency. A special prize for Top Wooden Ship and another for top local pilot went to Dave Reilly in his Skylark 4. John Fielden set a cross-channel task and Mike Carlton & Bill Scull set off for France in Mikes’ Calif but had to turn back when Bill Scull pointed out that the water was getting close and he couldn’t swim!! Maurice Clarke had an ‘enterprising’ retrieve when he landed on a sloping shingle beach at Branscombe much to the surprise of a lone walker.
1975 North Hill
Justin Wills in the Std. Libelle won again. Maurice Clarke won a special award for ‘Top Wooden Ship’ in his Ka6 whilst Tony Smallwood won another special prize for his performance in the Gull 1.
1974 North Hill
The First Competition Enterprise, North Hill, Devon – home of the Devon & Somerset G.C. and home for C.E. for several years. Justin Wills notched up the first of his Enterprise wins in his Std. Libelle. In League 2 (‘Wooden Nails’,< Skylark3), Guy Gothard and friends came first in a T21 and Tony Smallwood was second in the Gull 1.