SWAM QUARTILY NEWSLETTER
Due to unexpected health problems to the Editor, the newsletter will be in a different format, the next 3 months will be edited together. John Stone continues to cover the Restoration Hanger and we now have Kieran helping me with the media side of the newsletter. Also you will notice that our Manager Aine’s meeting notes are attached to the newsletter so we will have a paper copy for future reference. I therefore apologize in advance if I have missed any events or occurrences.
It is our 6th Anniversary, how time has flown. We have expanded in men and planes, many changes and more in the ‘pipeline’ for both us and the future visitors. Along the way we remember sadly that we have lost a few of our avid volunteers.
The Café is coming along well with our new chef John, who has taken over from Emma who did a grand job while with us, the new menu is being a success, especially the Fish & Chips! New silver menu signs and one outside which gives the café a real professional look. Due to other commitments, we have had a change in staff, a problem experienced in all hospitality jobs. We have also joined the latest ‘fad’ and now have a ‘Dogs Menu’ for the furry family members visiting us, of which we have many who get spoilt by our staff!
Our Women in Flight Room and Services Room had a opening event, it continues to gather data and has since been quite an attraction eve in residencyn with another museum. With the many books handed in for sale etc Stuart ekes out ones appropriate for the room. We are also trying a children’s reading table. David has been busy in his ‘cubby hole’ cleaning and repairing photo’s given to us by RAFA Neath on their closure. Most will be hanging in the new Gallery next to the café, the walls have been painted by Gallo and Peter has done a picture rail, so with the new grey and navy carpet tiles it looks quite smart. I have a corner for Sian and myself to paint in. Peter David are preparing the Balcony to hang entertainment pictures, unfortunately the old boat is still in residency but is soon to be lifted to its new home.
The Memorial Garden is entering its Summer Bloom. Phil gave us some wire stands which hopefully will support the trailing flowers which Pat put in. Stuart has got a nice long hose no more watering cans! Gallo has a new job of cutting the grass, so the grounds around the hanger look really tidy. The repair job on the extension roof is completed so hopefully we can progress with the disabled toilet and new café. Etc.
The shop is selling well and a booking online is now being done which is working well. Our visitors book is being filled with nice comments, so we must be doing something right! We are lucky that we have Denise as a receptionist, to help Linda and Stuart, as poor Helen had an accident in ‘Gay Paree’! broke her leg and will be off for sometime. A signed get well card was posted to her. Dave Smith will be off for a while with a knee operation but Roger is back in full health after his operation, Phil Salmon comes in when he is able which we appreciate. A request has been asked to have a sign telling everybody who we have as a First Responder, it has been suggested we have a Hanger clean once a month! We also had some light hearted humour with John Wood portraying our volunteers and their interests, a board has been suggested to hang them on, anybody willing to produce it?
We have had a few events but we really need some reasonably sized plastic boxes to store all the bits to protect them from damage. It was decided not to have a summer fair but we did celebrate Easter for the children , Sian and Phil did a lovely spring corner for the weekend. Several of our volunteers went on a evening visit to peruse Aston Martin, which was organised by Mark Condon, they all enjoyed the evening, though they couldn’t afford to book one to their liking. The museum café was decked out with flags etc for the ‘Tea for Victory weekend’. Aine and Pat advertised the museum at a local Victory Day of WW2 event.
The highlight of the months, was a long day trip to London on the 13th May to visit the De Havilland Aircraft Museum connected to Mosquito planes, this was organised by Mark Condon and was enjoyed immensely by volunteers who shared cars to travel. A return trip has been organised for volunteers there to visit us on 2nd July. One of our young volunteers had a trip with the ATC to Lossimouth Scotland, while Martin and Linda escaped to the great USA! For a month we followed them by mobile as they did the ‘American Dream’!!! Several other volunteers took the chance to holiday, Emma
Emma having returned as a volunteer, decided to take herself off on a 2 week tenting solo holiday around North Wales. Boss no 1 has spent time in France and Boss no 2 flew to Crete to top up his tan for his birthday, while Mark Condon was treated to another cruise for his birthday!
We have 2 new volunteers in the Hanger Neil and Bob whom we all made welcome, they have already been involved in the school visits. It might be a good idea if we stress to visitors how important their entrance to the museum is, by saying we are all volunteers to improve the attraction! The Restoration Hanger had a Environment inspection which was good. Their write up by John will probably be in the next newsletter as he has been on away plus having ‘glass eyes’!
The Swift FR SW has arrived from Newark museum on loan by its owners who have moved to this area, it is at present in the Restoration Hanger having a few jobs done on it. Army Lynx Y2191 has arrived, John Buckthought was pleased, as a ex Army volunteer he was reunited with his past in Germany! The Wing has at last been removed from the hanger , unfortunately it hasn’t been working for a while it will leave space for another aircraft I presume!
Our volunteers BBQ date has been suggested after the schools go back ie September. Before then we have a 40’s social evening on the 9th August open to the general public, any profit is ear marked to the cost of getting the Queens Flight plane on our own site.
We have had a few group visits in the 3months.
2nd April the University of Wales TV and Filmsets students.
8th April ILM Cardiff (former muslim school) did a tour which they enjoyed.
5th April saw a meeting of the Aviation Heritage UK visit with a buffet for representatives from all round the UK.
19th April 96 car’s were booked for their meeting.
30th Vale Photographic club paid us another visit.
Urban Artists booked in to draw and paint pictures of our planes.
20th May Penlleger Mens Society Swansea had a visit.
Three schools paid a visit during the 3 months.
Rudry PS Caerphilly. Wycliff KS + Machen RBL . Y5GOL TDCRI Barry.
Hope I have covered everything and we now look forward to active and happy summer visitors.
Here are some images from throughout the past months, from key events to school visits and more.
(Aine Spoors) Meeting Notes: https://www.swam-news.kieranl29productions.co.uk/meetingjan28th25
As always you can find our future events and online calender @ https://teamup.com/kszeimd528tdcpxu3j
News Credits:
Producted By: Kieran Flanagan
Written and Images Selected by: Patricia Lewis
