Open / Fun Day 10th September 2006 Martlesham Heat Aviation Society
September 10th 2006 saw the 6th anniversary of the opening of the Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum and once again we had our annual open day - this year called a fun day.
Following last year's successful format we had Steve Suttle as MC, and his Patchymatt Disco. The event was opened by Rex Garrod “Special Effects Expert and Inventor. Star of BBC’s BRUM and creator of Robot Wars Cassius. It also happened to be Rex’s birthday. Rex was presented with a delicious birthday cake courtesy of Rita Dunnett and presented by Robert Dunnett the Society’s Vice Chairman.
Although there were several other military events going on the same day we were lucky to have a reasonable turnout, and the weather was kind to us.
We had two ex Martlesham Personnel visit us. The first was Graham Dixey who served at Martlesham Heath from May 1951 to October 1953, as an RAF Air Wireless Mechanic, later Air Wireless Fitter. You can see his entry in our guest book.
Another visitor was Joseph "Joe" Lenkowsky (pictured, right) from Verona, New Jersey, who had come to visit us with his son David. It was his first visit to Martlesham Heath since the end of his tour of duty in WW2. It was fascinating listening to Joe’s wartime experience. Bob Dunnett gave them a conducted tour of what is remaining of the old airfield, and Joe actually found the window under which he once slept.
Bill Smith in his dad’s Chindit uniform and our own Andy Moore with his jeep “CrackerMac” took part in a simulated air raid. A very entertaining, noisy and smokey experience.
Rex Garrod demonstrated the firing of paper rockets using compressed air and rolled up A4 paper. (I believe one of them landed in Main Road some distance away).
Music was provided by the Martlesham Brass and also Jazz Expressions,"lead by Geoff Whatling.
Many thanks to Brian Jose and his catering outfit (email brianjose4(at)aol.com). Brian has done us proud for 5 years now, I’m so glad when I first came across him at the Felixstowe Bike Show. Also a big thank you to Ann Keen and associate from the Red Cross for her attendance and treatment of three patients. Once again Ann has been a regular at our open days and we are very grateful.
If I have missed anyone out then thank you to you as well.
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR