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| It was a rollercoaster year for SWARM. We are always sensitive to the agricultural cycle of the local farmers and 2005 was a year when rocketry and farming did not mix. We therefore agreed not to use the land May-September but as a thankyou, the local farmer agreed we could use the site for an Altitude Event in 2006 subject to their farming schedule and that they would support it as they have our club since the beginning. It was hard not being able to launch but it gave us all time to do other rocketry projects that had been on the drawing board or in the shed. The Black Knights generously said SWARM members could go to their meetings and Tony had a great time at their 'Flamer'. There were some spectacular launches; our youngest member did a school rocketry presentation and new members joined.Having heard about the altitude ceiling at the site, Damian Hall (WRS) and the SPASE Team asked for an opportunity to do high altitude flights so we arranged it (with the authorities etc ) for April and they all enjoyed the usual generous hospitality. A team also came from Manchester University and took incredible photos of our area from their rocket. Damian Hall (WRS) achieved 21,230 ft with his rocket, Felix offered to put up an award to be named after 'O'Dell'. As SPASE wanted to try again also MARS had expressed interest in launching from our site and our own effort is scheduled for 2006, it seemed the right time to follow through with Pete Davy's original idea of an Altitude Event and Damian offered to support the event. The Rocket Boys particularly O'Dell and from time to time, Homer have continued to provide great inspiration and encouragement. O'Dell in particular has a knack of saying the right words when they are needed - a real friend. Steve and Adrienne of Starchaser though extremely busy with their own projects have always given us time, guidance and support too particularly by visiting our site at the beginning of the year and inviting Jim at the end of the year to Manchester. |
Tony represented SWARM at the Radstock Festival & went to Black Knights 'Flamer'. Roy & Nigel went to KLOB |
Nigel Woolcock receives the Homer Hickam Award for 2005 |
Damian Hall (WRS) wins the O'Dell Award for 2005 ( 21,230 feet) |
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