So I was wrong about the building on Fleetwood Rd .. it wasn't a works but indeed a farm. Originally it owned land which is now covered by Sacred Heart School and Church and also Trunnah Gardens. The land for Sacred Heart was compulsary purchased. I don't want to say too much as I hope to add something to the memory section so keep your eyes peeled.
Now for the Quiz ... Where in Thornton Am I ?
And the answer is .. Treasure City (previously The Ashdell)
In 1st place .. Brenda
In 2nd place .. Mike
A
Extract from Bowland Forest Flying Club.
ReplyDeleteand a link to Ashdell.
This was proposed by William T. Aked in October 1930, and 80 people showed interest, but only 40 paid the first subscription of one guinea (£1.05). A primary glider (with an open framework fuselage) cost £55, either for a Dagnall Dagling or a Cloudcraft Dickson. They also needed a catapult rope at least, even if storage, trailing and flying could be donated, so funds were very tight.
In February 1931 Cloudcraft offered two of their Dickson gliders at only £35, fitted with "Avro wings" which can only have been panels from spare Avro 504K biplanes. A picture in Sailplane & Glider shows roundels on the wings ! B & F G C ordered one, which arrived in May 1931. Our photo shows it rigged in front of Aked's garage, now Woolworth's, St.Annes. The figures must be Jack and his father, in club uniform, dark raincoat and beret !
The evening paper told of their first flying on 9 & 10 May 1931, in a field lent by Mr. Robinson at Thornton Cleveleys. Jack Aked lived at "Ashdell", Victoria Road, Thornton le-Fylde, and would have been either 18 or 20 at the time (he gave his birth date as 7 November 1910 once, but 1912 elsewhere). In 1949 he wrote "I did not take a very active part myself owing to being a junior and somewhat involved in studies". An 18 or a 20 year old junior ? Jack took a Higher National Certificate in motor engineering, then joined his father to manage the garage.
John D-A
You may be interested in this
Deletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/rtbcomp/albums/72157638879868623
rtbcomp@live.co.uk
Ah...now I recognise that turret. I really don't get into Thornton enough nowadays.
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