(10th March 2009)
Following the most successful launch of our first History Weekend at Lake Club - Hamworthy we then moved onwards to a new venue for PFBC; this time as guests at Parkstone Yacht Club. PFBC was duly made very welcome at these impressive, recently renovated premises with their magnificent views over the Middle (main) Channel and the Wych Channel, to Brownsea Island. Nearest to the clubhouse though is the old main channel which serves Parkstone’s Yacht Haven. The route of this channel, at its broadest stretch towards Poole, formerly provided Runway 3 N, which together with its neighbouring Runway 3 S (each a mile & quarter in length) intersected at a point of origin at the closest position to the Quay, having passed in front of Parkstone Bay. These two runways accommodated the 3 Boeing 314As of BOAC: Bristol, Berwick & Bangor, which due to their relative size in comparison to all the other Flying Boats using Poole Harbour needed the greater length of these runways with their deeper draught, and that of their Moorings. [Runway 3 N was also the scene of the tragic incident to one of its BOAC Catalinas: G-AGDA, which crashed in practising landings /take-offs as part of advanced training exercises in WW2, with the sad loss of 3 of the 6 crew: R.O. Reg Martin; R.O Mitchell; and Eng.Off. Lowemann.] The 8 PFBC Marler-Hayley Boards with the Display attracted much attention of PYC members and formed a fitting accompaniment to the Presentation given by our Honorary Vice-President, Leslie Dawson there (on Tuesday 10th.March), to the Cruiser Section with almost 100 attending. This series is being scheduled to continue in 2009 as a prelude to the publishing of his new book ‘Flying Boats at Poole’; with many requests received from groups - so indicating much interest ! At Parkstone YC great interest also ensued, that was revealed by the quality & range of questions, and we now greatly look forward to further invitations /contact from many newly found Friends. PFBC’s Display remained in place at the request of Poole Neighbourhood Watch for their AGM and over the remainder of the week when our information sheets and application forms were used up. The next port-of-call will be at Lilliput Sailing Club, Poole for our Fish n Chip Supper in April….
