LOTMEAD FARM STRAWBERRIES AND STEAM

Moth Club members are invited to join NORMAN PARRY and his friends at a special event near Swindon in June.
This detail has been provided by John Baxter.

I have put together a little graphic of the set up at Lotmead Farm and the circuit details etc

The Strawberries & Steam Weekend, this year on 27th /28th June, is a long established event with the South West steam enthusiasts and combines the old fashioned weekend of showing off your traction engine and steam powered log saw with an opportunity to select your own soft fruit from Norman's ripe crop. It is a well supported event with maybe 20 or 30 big machines turning up in addition to all the usual additional stationary engines and vintage vehicles..with refreshments and an active beer tent of course.

This year Norman hopes that the sun will also be shining on a few old wings as well and all are welcome to fly in to the strip and enjoy the day.

The strip is as flat as a pancake and of good length at 700 yards but does give the perception of being narrow, although it is actually a good 25 yards wide between the bushes on the north west side and the wire fence running along the south east side (we actually used to operate with half the width).

The approach to 03 is around the strawberry fields, ideally not beyond the main road, and over the farm, which means a steep descent over the high trees on finals if you want to land short...but there is plenty of room for a higher approach and landing well into the strip (if you touch down half way you still have 350 yards left)

The preferred approach is from the north onto 21 towards the farm with overshoot and climb out towards the right (west) as soon as possible.

There is usually no windsock but something may be put up for the weekend....otherwise have a look at the windsock at Redlands across the fields to the south east of Lotmead. Parking is available at the farm end of the strip.

Because of the proximity of REDLANDS Microlites & Parachutes to the South East it is essential that nobody flies in the area to the East of Lotmead Farm.

There is usually constant microlite traffic in their circuit and regular parachute dropping in the overhead.

It is recommended to keep a listening watch on the microlite frequency of 129.825 and give a call to "Redlands Traffic" when in the area advising them of your position.

Also be aware of glider activity at Sandhill Farm to the North East with aerotow combinations frequently coming close to Lotmead.

We do not usually talk to RAFLyneham, especially at weekends, but anybody coming or going to the west would be advised to give them a shout on 123.4.

There is no Avgas at Lotmead, the nearest being at Oaksey or Kemble to the North West or Kidlington to the East.

Hopefully many members will make a day of it and visit the farm and all that is available over the weekend.

Please phone Norman for any more information. (01793 790260.)