Southport Model Aero Club

Our History

Prehistoric times

Model flying at Southport can be traced back to the very early days of aviation.  Southport Beach is in fact the site of one of the oldest airfields in the country, dating back to 1910.  The original Southport Model Engineering Club (see the Links page), which started in the 1950s, had a model flying section that flew aircraft from Southport Beach.

Southport Model Flying Club as it is recognised today officially started in 1975.  Before this, groups of people were flying on Birkdale beach, in an ad hoc manner, flying anywhere they liked.  Graham Green felt that this was not the way it should be and encouraged them to hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a club.

1975

The first meeting was held on 13th April, at Sandy Powell's house on Liverpool Road, Ainsdale.  Those present at this meeting were Sandy Powell, Graham Green, David Jones, and Robert Kent.

The first Club meeting was on 7th May, at The Air Training Corps. Headquarters on Upper Aughton Road, Birkdale, Southport.  Meetings were held there until the end of the year.  The 'Red Triangle Club' hall behind Bates Builder's Yard (now Jewsons), Bispham Road, Southport, was chosen for regular meetings and the AGM (hence the red triangle of the club badge).

Sandy Powell was Chairman, David Jones was Secretary and Graham Green was Treasurer.  It was decided to adopt rules based on Liverpool & District Model Aircraft Society.

Club membership by the end of the year was 23 senior and 3 Junior.  Subscriptions were £3.00 Senior, £1.50 Junior.  Membership of the Society of Model Aircraft Engineers (SMAE, now the BMFA) was not compulsory, though most Club fliers had joined that organisation.

Flying sites were on Southport Beach by the Weld Road entrance in Birkdale, Town Lane field for a short time, and Stanley Secondary School.

1976

The First AGM was held on the 7th January, and the Committee was re-elected.  Sandy Powell was again Chairman, David Jones was Secretary and Graham Green was Treasurer.  It was decided to adopt club rules based on those governing the Liverpool & District Model Aircraft Society (LDMAS).

Club membership by the end of the year was 28 senior and 9 Junior.  Subscriptions remained at £3.00 Senior, £1.50 Junior. However the Club became affiliated to SMAE, so membership of SMAE became compulsory.

A model flying display was put on by Club members at Birkdale High school, during the summer fete that year.

Flying sites were Southport Beach by the Weld Road entrance Birkdale, Stanley Secondary School until 27th of July 1976 when we lost the site due to complaints from locals about noise, and RAF Woodvale, jointly with LDMAS.

Mike Eccles (a long-serving Club Chairman) joined the club.

1978

Club membership by the end of the year was 41 senior and 18 Junior.  Subscriptions were unchanged from the previous two years, and SMAE membership was£6.00 senior, £2.50 Junior.

A Dinner Dance was held at The Queens Hotel, Promenade, Southport.

Once again there was a model flying display at Birkdale High school, during its summer fete.

1979

Monthly meetings moved to The Queens Hotel, Promenade, Southport, in January.

Club membership by the end of the year was 43 senior and 21 Junior.  Subscriptions remained at £3.00 Senior, £1.50 Junior. SMAE membership increased to £6.50 for seniors, £2.75 for Juniors.

The Annual Model Flying display at Birkdale High school took place once again during the summer fete.

1983

Monthly meetings moved to Sacred Heart Church Hall, Liverpool Road, Ainsdale, in February.

Club subs were by now £6 for Seniors, £3.50 for Juniors.

The Annual Model Flying display at Birkdale High school took place during the summer fete yet again.  In addition Club members put on a flying display at Ainsdale High School on the 14th May, and a static exhibition at Lord Street West Church.

1988

Both Southport Model Aero Club, and LDMAS  lost the use of RAF Woodvale from 17th April 1988 to late May 1988.  This was due to a member of LDMAS crossing the active runway whilst an aircraft was landing.

1991

In August Southport Council held the first Southport Air Show.  Southport Model Aero Club opened the show, flying from 9.00 am to midday.  With full size aircraft from midday until 4.30pm.

1993

This year the beach changed from 'Queens Land' to the control of Sefton Council.  With this change car control was introduced onto the beach.  The Club moved its flying site, with full co-operation of the Council, from the old Birkdale site, to the north side of the Shore Road entrance (near Pontins Holiday camp), Ainsdale.

Christ the King School became a flying site, for winter use only.

1996

Burscough Aerodrome was added as a flying site.

1997

Southport Beach was designated an area of special scientific interest in 1997, and became jointly managed by Sefton Council and English Nature.  With help and advice from Roger Bellingham at the BMFA, we were able to remain at our flying site.  Restriction of motor vehicles was introduced on the beach, and a barrier erected.  Our flying site was located north of the barrier, in the Car free zone; we were allowed through this with passes.  This made our flying site safer, as cars were no longer able to drive near our runway.

In October 1997, Christ the King School was damaged by an Arson attack and Southport Model Aero Club was asked to stop flying on the grounds, until the attackers could be found, and the school could be secured.

In May Southport Model Aero Club held its first Model Flying Show, which spanned 2 days.  It also continued to support the full-size Southport Air Show.

1999

Further Vehicle restrictions were introduced on the Beach, preventing public vehicle access during the winter.  However, because of our relationship with the Council, we were allowed continued access, provided we introduced a 'moving' flying site.  In the summer our site is situated north of the barrier.  In winter it is moved south of the barrier, so as to distance ourselves from a migrating bird feeding area.

Club membership had climbed to 85, and it was no longer necessary for Junior Members to pay a club fee (although they must pay the BMFA subscription).

2001

Christ the King School was officially removed as a flying site.

2002

Burscough Aerodrome removed as a flying site, due to deterioration of the runway.

2007

In April the beach flying site was moved to the Weld Road entrance.

At the AGM it was decided to abandon flying at RAF Woodvale due to increasing costs and reduced availability due to increased full-size activity.

2008

Given the wetness of the Weld Road flying site, Sefton Council agreed that the old site near Shore Road could be used instead for flying during the winter, subject to certain conditions.

In April 2008 SMAC secures access to a flying site at Leisure Lakes near Southport. This site became operational in June.

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