East Kirby Event

19 July 2009

1600 hours and a huge black cloud over the airfield suddenly sprang a leak, causing a mass evacuation of exhibitors, the local roads being converted to rivers. The Lancaster bomber, of which more later, had just been safely housed in its hanger and so kept dry.

The day started bright and sunny but with a strong wind blowing the airfield windsock horizontal. Eight Magnettes were in attendance with 2 more register members in non-Magnettes, including our ex-chairman David Johnson in his newly restored Rover on its first long run. He could be forgiven his temporary change of allegiance as the event was organised by the Mid Lincs. Rover Club, who made us most welcome. Unfortunately, 2 other Magnettes could not attend due to sickness, get well soon. A large contingent of MGs from the Lincolnshire Centre were parked adjacent to us and again were very friendly and welcoming.

Occuring just a week after Silverstone Live finished it was a very pleasant surprise to see faces we had not seen at Silverstone, mainly from the northern sector of the country, even as far afield as Teesside. However, surely the furthest travelled was again Peter Martin from Kent. So far this year his car has travelled over 10,000 miles, which proves that Magnettes can be used every day.

The northern contingent demonstrated their sense of humour: Greg and Jill Thornton having an aquarium in the windscreen washer bottle. Are they expecting the two goldfish to breed or readying them for a fish and chip supper? Not to be outdone, Phil Dean had a lobster in his washer bottle, fattening it up for a lobster thermidor - how the other half live - (pics 6 and 8).

The highlight of the weekend for magnetteers was the news that Bob Hough had won one of the raffle prizes - to sit in the co-pilot's seat during the running of the Lancaster's four Merlin engines. During WWII East Kirby had 2 squadrons of Lancasters stationed there. The noise when all these aircraft were running up their engines must have been horrendous, one was bad enough for unprotected ears.

When the roar of the Merlins ceased, Bob disembarked from 'his Lanc.', the smile on his face beat the MG smile by a factor of four. Could it be something to do with the number of engines to play with? (pics 10 - 16)

Part of the airfield museum is a marker showing the the international 0 line of longitude. This line also passes through Swavesey so it does attract MGs. (pic 9)

To all members it is well worth a trip to Lincolnshire, those who did not attend missed out on 'A Grand Day Out' as they say in the north.

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