Gliders take to the sky for competition

07 August 2006 06:30

East Anglian skies were filled with scores of gliders at the weekend at the start of the region's championships hosted in Norfolk.

The Eastern Regional Gliding Competition got off to a flying start with pilots travelling from as far away as Scotland and Somerset to take part.

Among the 26 entrants at the contest held at the Norfolk Gliding Club at Tibenham airfield, near Long Stratton, was Chris Lawrence from Worlingham, near Beccles, who took his first solo flight on his 16th birthday on Boxing Day last year.

Chris said he was nervous but excited about this his first competition.

Instructor Tim Davies said the competition was expected to be fierce during the nine days until Sunday with top pilots including previous winners of the Eastern Regional and other national and regional competitions.

Tom Smith, 19, of Alpington, who was placed 2nd in this year's National Junior Gliding Championships will also be competing.

Pilots will race hundreds of miles across East Anglia taking in places like Cambridge and Ipswich with itineraries dictated each day by the weather.

Winners will then be eligible to enter national competitions

Competition director Don Johnstone said: “It is very prestigious for Norfolk to host this. It's not all about winning although that is obviously a large part.”

Entrant Rowan Griffin from Kirriemuir, near Dundee, said: “The feeling of competition in some of the other events can be a bit intense but this is one of the best, it is very friendly.

During the competition the club will be raising sponsorship for The Clare School, Norwich.

James 'Tiny' Little, landlord of the Alexandra Tavern in Norwich and partner in The Chalk Hill Brewery has provided a barrel of Chalk Hill Best to be sold on behalf of the cause.

Mr Davies said visitors were welcome to the event.

“Whether you would like to try a flight or just see the sights of the massed gliders on the runway at Tibenham prior to each mornings launch, all are welcome.”



I'm not afraid of flying, in fact I love it, and have never had a problem with heights so I was very up for having a trial lesson in a glider - despite being a little wary of the 'lesson' part and slightly nervous when my instructor Tim Davies fitted me out with a parachute.

The planes themselves look so serene and graceful that it is easy to imagine the flight will be.

But the truth is far from it - any turbulence you might feel in a 'normal' aeroplane is magnified as are the nerves but of course so is the thrill factor.

It reminded me of scuba diving bizarrely in that up in the clouds is a whole different world when you haven't got the feeling of protection from the elements that a jumbo jet affords.

While directly below us stood Tibenham and Long Stratton we could also make out the spire of Norwich Cathedral and the blocks of the UEA.

But the image that will stay with me the longest is one of other gliders balletically circling above us in the clouds as we rose 2,000 feet into the air chasing the same thermals as the gulls around us and feeling part of the sky.

Trial lessons lasting about half an hour cost £75 at Norfolk Gliding Club and gift vouchers are available. Contact the club on 01379 677207 or visit www.norfolkglidingclub.co.uk.

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