Hi
This is the very first edition of the British Hang Gliding History’s six monthly ‘NEWS LETTER’. Well it’s been one hell of a ride during the past 6 month, and I can’t believe how fast the site has grown and developed. Mind you I have to admit that there are a few hundred hours work lying out before you. From what started out as just a 10 year diary of dated events, in a single article, that I was going to send to a magazine. Has turning out to be a full time job just adding new ideas and information. However, I also have to thank many of you for your appreciated suggestions and help. Without them it would not have grown into what you see today. There is a page which lists most of those who have helped in one way or another. Even this page was a suggestion from Brian Milton.
Anyway at least it keeps me busy for a few hours each day, just trying to keep up with it, and the subject was my whole life for nearly twenty years.
If you would like me to send you a message to inform you whenever I upload important new material, or you would like me to send you the News letters every four months (that’s my target) please get in touch with me via terryasp@bigpond.con and I will store your E-mail addresses away from the web site. At this stage I’m almost totally reliant on others sending me information, to keep the site interesting, because my memorabilia hoard is almost exhausted.
May I suggest that if you visit this site on a regular basis, and don’t want to trawl through the same material over and over again, then upon opening the main page you go to the “Recent Changes” button which is near the top on the left hand side?
At the moment most of the “Characters” I have listed are mainly Southerners. However, it would be nice to be able to add a few of the Northerners, flyers like Bob Calvert, Bob Bailey and Graham Hobson. I’d appreciate any help you might be able to give me to place me in touch with these people. There were also many local “Characters” that were unknown outside of their areas that are also of interest, so maybe you can dobb a few of them in.
I’ve had a positive response from Graham Slater and Johnny Carr and am hoping to add then in the very near future. Anybody know if Chris Johnson is on line, I was always a great admirer of Chris, and during my early days he always made time to help. A great inspirer and Character?
Others I'm trying to trace are Geoff McBroom, Ian Greyland, Justine Wills, Fin Kennedy, and Tom Knight to name just a few?
I’ve also added what I call “Early Clubs” these will be direct links to those clubs allowing any of you earlier flyers who want to make contact with some of your friends who you might have lost touch with over the years. If I’ve missed any please let me know.
There is also a FORUM which also might help your do the same. It would also be a great place where some of you can leave a few of the many stories that are starting to grow into legends, for other newer pilots to the sport to read. I have a FORUM set up for the East Anglican flyers where some of these stories have already been told and makes for good reading and the occasional laugh.
After reading Brian’s ‘Sex on a Hang Glider’ article, I suppose we must all keep looking sky wards for that hang glider that is gently rolling from side to side, or maybe its nosing up and down in a nice rhythmic movement. Whatever, it might give you a clue as to if what Brian talks (dreams) about is possible?
Once again many thanks to all who have visited the web-site and especially those who have contributed and support me.
Terry Aspinall
03.10.08
