The following is from ‘The Branches’ column of an 1962 volume of The Aerospace Professional
On the 23rd July 1953, an inaugural meeting was held at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, where it was decided to request the Council of the Royal Aeronautical Society to approve the formation of a Branch. Air Commodore A. H. Wheeler was elected President, and Mr. Handel Davies was elected Chairman of a Committee of eleven civilian and service members.
In October 1953, the Council granted approval for the formation of the Local Branch, which gained immediate impetus, so that over 300 members were present at the Inaugural Lecture given on 24th November 1953 by Sir Frederick Handley Page on “Bomber Design.” There were many guests from nearby aircraft firms and other Branches.
Early lectures were not without their amusing incidents, due no doubt to the lack of a full “check list” by the newly formed Committee. In April 1954, Sir William Farren (who was then President of the Society) was ready to deliver his lecture on “The Design of Delta Wing Aircraft” when it was realised that because of the recent advent of summer time, there would be daylight during the greater part of the lecture. Hurried arrangements were made for a temporary black-out in the Airmen’s Dining Hall, where approximately 240 members had gathered. But because of its inadequacy a “good tempered Lecturer and Audience transferred to the Station Cinema some quarter of a mile away.” The capacity of this building being limited to 150, the walls were well lined and the gangways well filled. Later, in 1956, a new lecture hall was equipped with projection and amplification equipment. Being in the vicinity of the Officers’ Mess, it came outside the “security area” so that obtaining security clearance for our guests was no longer a problem; For nearly ten years interesting programmes of lectures have been organised during the winter months, and space would not permit the naming of the distinguished lecturers, most of whom have travelled long distances. In December 1955, the first Main Society Lecture was held at Boscombe Down, when Mr. P. A. Hufton, and Mr. J.A. Hamilton, presented their paper on ‘Free Flight Techniques in High Speed Aerodynamic Research.’ The Branch was joined by many friends from Branches at Reading, Swindon, Yeovil, Southampton, Christchurch and Bristol, and looks forward to meeting them again this autumn when Boscombe will once again be the venue for a Main Lecture.
Since its formation the Branch has maintained a steady membership of approximately 400, consisting almost entirely of service and civilian personnel at Boscombe Down. In addition to the 400 paying members, there are another 40 who are members of the Main Society. Total membership reached its peak in 1956/57 when it exceeded 500. In the early days of the Branch, lectures and other activities were widely publicised through advertisement in the local press, but as almost the entire Aeronautical interest in the Salisbury-Amesbury-Andover area was centred at Boscombe Down, this source of advertising was eventually dropped. The Branch membership fee has always remained at the modest sum of 2s, 6d., and the Branch claims to be the ‘cheapest’ in the U.K., yet it still maintains a healthy financial. balance. For this reason it has never appeared necessary increase the subscription rate above 2s. 6d., although it was suggested (in Committee) that if the membership fee were increased to, say, 10s. 0d., the attendance at lectures might increase, as some few members – who never attend lectures would appear not to expect much for 2s. 6d. This suggestion was over-ruled and the subscription remains at 2s. 6d. a year.
Apart from lectures in the winter evenings, the Branch since its inception has arranged each year for three or four visits to centres of aeronautical interest to the summer months. These visits have been well patronised by the members, and it has usually been necessary to allocate tickets by ballot. Among the most popular visits have been those to London Airport (B.O.A.C.), the Bristol Aeroplane and Engine Companies, Vickers (Aircraft), Dowty Equipment Ltd., and Tintometer Ltd. of Salisbury.
In 1957 the first Branch Dinner was held when the President- Elect, Sir Arnold Hall, was Guest of Honour. In 1959 Mr. Peter Masefield, .also the President-Elect, was Guest of Honour. In 1961 the Guest of Honour, Sir Owen Jones, was unfortunately unable to attend the Branch Dinner due to illness. However, Mr. Hafner deputised and delighted all by his informal after-dinner speech on behalf of guests from Southampton, Reading, Swindon and Bristol. The dinner was also joined by a party of French Air Force officers who were visiting Boscombe Down.
An annual cricket match with their near neighbours of the Southampton Branch has been a firm fixture since 1956. The, records always emphasise the fact that “an enjoyable game was played – sometimes marred by bad weather,” and that ample refreshments were provided. Between refreshments and showers it is believed that some cricket has been known to be played, although the minutes rarely record the results. (This is perhaps not surprising, as an independent report from Southampton claims that they won last year’s match.)
Since its formation the Boscombe Down Branch has been fortunate in having the Air Commodore Commanding the Establishment as President, and the Chief Superintendent as Chairman. The Branch wishes to record a debt of gratitude to their Presidents and Chairmen, in that their backing has enabled them to maintain an active policy in fostering aeronautical interest, and also in allowing the Branch to use the many facilities available at the Establishment. -G.W-W.
In October 1953, the Council granted approval for the formation of the Local Branch, which gained immediate impetus, so that over 300 members were present at the Inaugural Lecture given on 24th November 1953 by Sir Frederick Handley Page on “Bomber Design.” There were many guests from nearby aircraft firms and other Branches.
Early lectures were not without their amusing incidents, due no doubt to the lack of a full “check list” by the newly formed Committee. In April 1954, Sir William Farren (who was then President of the Society) was ready to deliver his lecture on “The Design of Delta Wing Aircraft” when it was realised that because of the recent advent of summer time, there would be daylight during the greater part of the lecture. Hurried arrangements were made for a temporary black-out in the Airmen’s Dining Hall, where approximately 240 members had gathered. But because of its inadequacy a “good tempered Lecturer and Audience transferred to the Station Cinema some quarter of a mile away.” The capacity of this building being limited to 150, the walls were well lined and the gangways well filled. Later, in 1956, a new lecture hall was equipped with projection and amplification equipment. Being in the vicinity of the Officers’ Mess, it came outside the “security area” so that obtaining security clearance for our guests was no longer a problem; For nearly ten years interesting programmes of lectures have been organised during the winter months, and space would not permit the naming of the distinguished lecturers, most of whom have travelled long distances. In December 1955, the first Main Society Lecture was held at Boscombe Down, when Mr. P. A. Hufton, and Mr. J.A. Hamilton, presented their paper on ‘Free Flight Techniques in High Speed Aerodynamic Research.’ The Branch was joined by many friends from Branches at Reading, Swindon, Yeovil, Southampton, Christchurch and Bristol, and looks forward to meeting them again this autumn when Boscombe will once again be the venue for a Main Lecture.
Since its formation the Branch has maintained a steady membership of approximately 400, consisting almost entirely of service and civilian personnel at Boscombe Down. In addition to the 400 paying members, there are another 40 who are members of the Main Society. Total membership reached its peak in 1956/57 when it exceeded 500. In the early days of the Branch, lectures and other activities were widely publicised through advertisement in the local press, but as almost the entire Aeronautical interest in the Salisbury-Amesbury-Andover area was centred at Boscombe Down, this source of advertising was eventually dropped. The Branch membership fee has always remained at the modest sum of 2s, 6d., and the Branch claims to be the ‘cheapest’ in the U.K., yet it still maintains a healthy financial. balance. For this reason it has never appeared necessary increase the subscription rate above 2s. 6d., although it was suggested (in Committee) that if the membership fee were increased to, say, 10s. 0d., the attendance at lectures might increase, as some few members – who never attend lectures would appear not to expect much for 2s. 6d. This suggestion was over-ruled and the subscription remains at 2s. 6d. a year.
Apart from lectures in the winter evenings, the Branch since its inception has arranged each year for three or four visits to centres of aeronautical interest to the summer months. These visits have been well patronised by the members, and it has usually been necessary to allocate tickets by ballot. Among the most popular visits have been those to London Airport (B.O.A.C.), the Bristol Aeroplane and Engine Companies, Vickers (Aircraft), Dowty Equipment Ltd., and Tintometer Ltd. of Salisbury.
In 1957 the first Branch Dinner was held when the President- Elect, Sir Arnold Hall, was Guest of Honour. In 1959 Mr. Peter Masefield, .also the President-Elect, was Guest of Honour. In 1961 the Guest of Honour, Sir Owen Jones, was unfortunately unable to attend the Branch Dinner due to illness. However, Mr. Hafner deputised and delighted all by his informal after-dinner speech on behalf of guests from Southampton, Reading, Swindon and Bristol. The dinner was also joined by a party of French Air Force officers who were visiting Boscombe Down.
An annual cricket match with their near neighbours of the Southampton Branch has been a firm fixture since 1956. The, records always emphasise the fact that “an enjoyable game was played – sometimes marred by bad weather,” and that ample refreshments were provided. Between refreshments and showers it is believed that some cricket has been known to be played, although the minutes rarely record the results. (This is perhaps not surprising, as an independent report from Southampton claims that they won last year’s match.)
Since its formation the Boscombe Down Branch has been fortunate in having the Air Commodore Commanding the Establishment as President, and the Chief Superintendent as Chairman. The Branch wishes to record a debt of gratitude to their Presidents and Chairmen, in that their backing has enabled them to maintain an active policy in fostering aeronautical interest, and also in allowing the Branch to use the many facilities available at the Establishment. -G.W-W.
