June 2004  - Edition No.90

It's amazing how quickly one issue follows another! No. 90 and June - where does the time go?

Talking of time, whilst up-dating the 'en suite' recently, we came across, tightly rolled and packing the space between the bath and the wall, an old newspaper, which unravelled turned out to be a copy of The Sun dated Monday, 29th December 1969. The headline of that day? "Solo British Pilot, Sheila Scott, landed her tiny Piper Comanche at Darwin yesterday, tired and distraught after 'seven days of sheer hell.' Her main concern was whether her plane, Myth Too had been sabotaged before the staff of the London-Sydney Air Race."

Sheila Scott [1927-1988] was the first pilot, male or female, to fly directly over the true North Pole in a light aircraft. She accomplished this 34,000-mile trip in a Piper Aztec in 1971 , traveling from the Equator, over the North Pole, back across the Equator and completing the journey by crossing the southern hemisphere. Although few Americans had heard of her, the U.S. Navy had orders: "Don't lose Sheila!" Their job was to keep her tracked via the American polar satellite Nimbus.

Does this bring back some memories? Memories were stirred by the April Newsletter, particularly by Tom's postcard of Lower Rows Farm, which are shared later in this issue. It was also exciting to be able to find information for Sally Moldrich, which again will feature later.

Thank you for those memories and thank you to all contributors to this issue - Debbie for the cover featuring a 'Yorkie', Paul and Peter for their illustrations and all the faithful regular contributors. Our next issue will be August and items will be needed by the middle of July, by Wednesday, 14th July at the latest, please.

However, before that the event which raises the most money for the Newsletter will have taken place. A Country Collection [No. 3] will be held in the Manor Hall from Monday 31st May to Saturday, 5th June, inclusive. Fuller details will be given elsewhere. Please do try to call in at one of the sessions and encourage friends, relatives and holiday makers to do likewise. If anyone feels they have the time and would able to help at one or more of the sessions or would be able to help supply home-made cakes or biscuits, I should be most grateful - just give me a ring on 883544.

Ed.