Bidford Wings and Wheels 2023

Bidford Wings & Wheels returned for 2023 even bigger and better.

Bidford Wings and Wheels: Sunday, 28th May

Bidford Airfield is a delightful grass strip in the shadow of the Cotswolds and is home to the Bidford Gliding and Flying Club. This year the club its annual Classic Wings and Wheels event on Sunday 28th May and the weather was perfect for showing the aircraft doing their displays.

We had two dedicated areas of the Airfield for Classic Cars, an area for motorbikes and a fenced off area for visiting and resident aircraft. The main event was a world first by Rich Goodwin Airshow using a jet powered Pitts Special biplane. The classic cars had a judging competition, which presented challenges for the judges given the wide range and rarity of some vehicles.

Over lunchtime the air park was closed to the public to ensure that the air display operated to the new CAA safety regulations to ensure the safety of the visitors. At other times the air park was opened to the public to enable them to see the aircraft and talk with the pilots. Hot and cold refreshments were available all day. And of course what Wings and Wheels event would not be complete without a raffle and tombola, which included great prizes including Trial flights, and prizes from local companies.

This year we suggested a donation of £10 per car, which will be used to support the club and enable it to help run future Wings and Wheels events.

We would like to give a big thank you to the owners of the aircraft, cars and motor bikes on display. Also to the club members for the hard work stewarding the large volume of visitors and to Craig Thompson, the club’s social secretary for his vision and commitment to making Wings and Wheels happen.

Lastly an apology to those visitors who were not able to see the event, due to having to close the car park. The new CAA safety rules required us to reduce the area of parking, so we will be planning alternative ways of coping with the success of the event for next year. We look forward to seeing you next year!

BFGC, Bidford Airfield, Honeybourne Road, Bidford-on-Avon, B50 4PD

Rich Goodwin’s display…

©Rich Goodwin Airshow

Rich Goodwin’s special Pitts with jet engines attached, enabling it do more than a helicopter could.

Cessna O-I ‘Bird Dog’, as used by the US Army in Vietnam for low flying observation and spotting.

The historic fly past of a Spitfire and Hurricane. They flew past us fours times before moving on.

A view from the ground of Rich Goodwin’s Pitts Special. Amazing to watch him perform seemingly impossible manoeuvres.

Cessna O-I Bird Dog as used by the USAF during the Vietnam War as a low flying spotter plane

The Hurricane and Spitfire made 4 passes over the show for us ©Chris Graham

Rich Goodwin taxing back after his display

And the winner of the 2023 Classic Car competition is…

Last year's winner of the Classic Car competition, was the judge for this year and selected Mike Hatcher

Mike Hatcher was awarded the 2023 Classic Car winner for his 1934 car with a Bugatti body

Myton Hospices Donation

A big thank you to Craig Thompson and helpers for organising various activities on the day at Bidford Wings and Wheels 2023, which enabled the club to donate £ 1,151.00 to The Myton Hospices.

A big thank you to all the members who put in time and effort before, during and after the day to make Wings and Wheels 2023 such a success

Managing traffic required lots of thought

Tension rising just before the fly past and the air show

Craig trying to look calm just before the fly past

A moment of relaxation for the traffic stewards

Just checking if this is a Classic Car entry?

Traffic Management kept the members busy all day

Rich Goodwin doing his thing ©Michael Miklos

Paul Cunnington 19/02/2024 Paul Cunnington 19/02/2024

St Richard's Hospice patient inspires pilot's big sky smile

Paul Cunnington 17/01/2024 Paul Cunnington 17/01/2024

Dropping in for Breakfast

Paul Cunnington 27/12/2023 Paul Cunnington 27/12/2023

BGFC Christmas Party

On 9th December we held our Christmas Party at the Wings & Wheels Café.

It was a busy night for Kaz and her helpers, with 48 club members taking the chance to enjoy the lovely food and good company.

Paul Cunnington 23/11/2023 Paul Cunnington 23/11/2023

Flyability Challenge - Falcon 2

BGFC members Gillian Stewart, Christine Bell and Lee Balthoazor helped the Royal Aeronautical Society Programme Falcon 2 team deliver a Flyability Challenge Glider simulator

Paul Cunnington 01/11/2023 Paul Cunnington 01/11/2023

Remembering WWII 80th Anniversary of Naval Losses

3 members of the Bidford Gliding and Flying Club worked together to help make the 80th memorial of the sinking of HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne a special moment for the 2 survivors John Eskdale and Roger Robert, both in their late 90’s, and the families of the 502 sailors who lost their lives. This was held on 23rd October at The Memorial Arboretum.

Paul Cunnington 11/10/2023 Paul Cunnington 11/10/2023

Lot’s of progress at Bidford in October

The last two weeks have been very busy for visitors, having experience flights and three student members going solo

Bidford Awards Dinner, Saturday 4th March

Shona Bowman presented the awards at the Bidford clubhouse on Saturday, 4th March 2023. Shona is a commercial and display pilot and started flying in gliders. The awards are as follows: