Sunday, 28 August 2011

Fun Fly, BBQ & the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

This has been a busy week for Your Toastmasters.  We have been organising, finalising and running a special event at T.G. Aviation at Manston Airport.  Mark & Sue Girdler the owners of T.G hold an annual fun fly for the members of Thanet Flying Club.  Part of the evening is dedicated to challenging the members flying skills in a variety of ways.  The first is to drop a flour bomb from the plane and hit a target and the second was to land on a dedicated spot on the runway.  Those in the air rose to the occasion in order to win the coveted trophies of Top Bomber and Spot Landing along with a bottle of champagne!  Those on the ground were delighted by the spectacle of the flour bombs splitting open on impact - most landed near the target but some a bit wayward!


The members and their guests were enthralled by 3 spectacular air displays by Sue Girdler in the Boeing Stearman, Les Wallen in his Super Decathlon and Sam Whatmough also in the Boeing Stearman. They also had the opportunity to watch the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, land from a fantastic vantage point of less than 300 meters!

Jonathan watching the Lancaster land at Manston

Once the proceedings in the air had come to an end all were satiated by a fantastic BBQ of quality steak and sausages from our local butcher (Dadds Family Butcher) as well as salads, puddings and cheese.

We have been really pleased with all the feedback we have received from members and visitors alike and look forward to the next event!  If you would like to find out more about future events at T.G. or want to book a trial flight or indeed become a member please contact T.G. Aviation on 01843 823520.


Today Your Toastmasters were very privileged to be invited to have a look at some very special planes and would like to thank the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crew for taking the time to show them round the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane.


Jonathan in the Lancaster's rear gunners seat

Nikki being shown the Hurricane













Dave Brackley BBMF with Nikki & Jonathan

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Meeting the lovely Jane Bishop

Two weeks ago whilst volunteering at the Pilgrims Hospice Charity shop in Margate Nikki from Your Toastmasters met Jane Bishop the owner of the Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville, Kent, as seen on Channel 5's Hotel Inspectors, and was invited to pop in anytime with Jonathan to come and have a look around.

The Walpole Bay Hotel
On entering this majestic hotel we were spellbound and transported to a by-gone era.  The trellis gated Otis lift, the historic artifacts and clothing all add to the ambiance of this living museum hotel. 

Jane's enthusiasm is tangible and within minutes of talking to her, her love of the hotel, it's history and its people is heart warming.  She is a larger than life character and it was evident that Jane takes pride in personally getting to know all her guests past and present. 

Indeed many families have visited her hotel for generations.  One of the guests we met spoke of her memories of time she spent there as a child in the 1930's,  when donkey rides were still a novelty on the beach!

Cream tea at the Walpole Bay Hotel


Your Toastmasters recommend you visit this fabulous hotel may it be for a cream tea, prospective venue for your special occasion or simply a tour of the museum ... you won't be disappointed.





The 2 hours we spent with Jane flew by and we are looking forward to meeting and working with her again. 


Wednesday, 3 August 2011

Planes and trains!

Last Monday we had two very successful planning meetings:-

The first was at T.G. Aviation, Manston Airport.  We had been invited, by Mark and Sue Girdler who own the flying school, to discuss how we could help with the organisation of the FUN FLY and BBQ for their members. As part of the meeting they gave us a guided tour of the club house, terrace/garden area as well as the hangar.  Both of us are very excited to help with the organisation of this fantastic event - target practice from the air as well as on the ground!  If any of our readers think they have interest in learning to fly or want to buy a special gift for someone then contact T.G. Aviation.

The second meeting was with Joanne and Andrew.  We are both privileged to be their wedding toastmasters at Quex Park in September. As we have both been trained by the English Toastmasters Association Joanne and Andrew are at ease knowing they can relax and enjoy their special day.