What turns a good flying event into a great one? A wide choice of flying sites helps, as does an idyllic camp site with good food and entertainment available. A well stocked bar is naturally essential for thirsty pilots returning to the camp site at the end of the day.
| But what can really turn a good event into a great one, is of course the weather.
Well in that respect we were really fortunate in 2002, with good weather over the whole Blorenge Party weekend. Three days of flying and fun, with the Blorenge flyable every day. Who could ask for more. The event was once again based along side the river Usk, on 20 acres of river meadows at Pen-y-Worlod Farm, Abergavenny. |
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This spectacular location has ample space for the main marquee, bar, numerous trade and food stands, camping, and a generous sized landing field for paraglider pilots.
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The Club has always tried to make this a family weekend, with the emphasis on fun.
This year was no exception, with a bouncy castle, face painting, and a disco for the small kids. Whilst the big kids were able to test their actual or potential flying skills on the BHPA hang gliding simulator, or enjoy a display of birds of prey, or even just wander round the trade stands with cheque book in hand. | 
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To make the flying as hassle free as possible, pilots were able to leave their cars behind and climb aboard a free mini bus service to the car park on the Blorenge, some 480m above the camp site.
This proved very popular, with large numbers of pilots making multiple flights off of the Blorenge well into Saturday evening. The mini-bus service was also a hit with non-pilots able to hitch a lift up for their first ever experience of free flight, a dual flight from the Blorenge. | |
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Over the weekend the camp site was certainly full of smiling faces. But the honours for the best flight from the Blorenge went to Justin Needham for his out and return flight to NW of Pen-y-Fan, scoring 146.07Km and winning the Blorenge Cup. However, the Blorenge wasn’t the only site flyable over the weekend. | ||
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More adventuresome pilots were also able to sample the delights of other flying sites in the area.
As the entry price for the Blorenge Party included temporary membership of the Club, all SE Wales sites were available. Hay Bluff proved popular, and did several non SE Wales Club sites such as Talybont and Rhossilli (a SW Wales Soaring Club site). The day’s flying over it was down to some serious partying. An on site bar and a band put everyone in the right mood, whilst a noodle bar, a hog roast and a burger van ensured that most other needs were well catered for. There was also an opportunity for pilots to show their skill and co-ordination on a pedal bike with a difference. Through the use of a novel linkage system, the handlebars operated in totally the opposite direction to that expected. It certainly proved entertaining watching the various techniques used to try to ride a bike that turned right, when you turned the handlebars to the left! | |
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As darkness fell, further entertainment was provided by Jim Hay with a fire breathing demonstration that lit up the night sky.
In the finest tradition of audience participation Jim then invited those watching to have a go. Judging by the eager response, there must have been an awful lot of people desperately trying to get the taste of lighter fuel out of their mouth for the rest of the evening. |  | |
Over the weekend more than 400 pilots, partners and friends entered into the spirit of the weekend, and that coupled with three good flying days, helped to produce a memorable event.
[ 1999 Blorenge Party] - [ 2000 Blorenge Party] - [ 2003 Blorenge Party]
