Girl Guides Go Gliding on Centenary Day

On Saturday 10th April, 20 Girl Guides and their leaders celebrated the 100th day of their 100th Year in style at Southdown Gliding Club near Storrington. Guides of the 1st West Chiltington pack took to the skies in the club’s two-seater gliders and experienced the sport of soaring for the first time. Many had never flown in any sort of aircraft at all so it was a truly new experience for them.

Even their leader, Lesley Boon, who normally stays firmly on the ground, enjoyed the experience. She said: “Like many of the guides today, I soared over my house nearby and loved every minute.. It was magical and many of the girls said they’d love to do it again!”

All over the country, Girl Guides were asked to do something special on this particular day and Southdown Gliding Club was asked if they could help. Dave Clews, club spokesman, said: “We were delighted to help our local guides celebrate their special day. We love showing local youngsters what gliding is all about and in the past many have joined the club and gone onto successful aviation careers as a result.”

Southdown Gliding Club is one of the largest and best equipped voluntary-run gliding clubs in Britain. It has around 200 members and over 50 gliders based at its airfield at the foot of the South Downs in Storrington, West Sussex. The club has many young members who learn to fly at subsidised costs in its Cadet scheme. They learn to fly state-of-the-art gliders capable of soaring long distances, flying at speeds in excess of 100 mph and staying aloft for many hours in rising air currents.

For more information about the club, visit its website at www.sgc1.org or call the club’s office on 01903 742137.

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