Clifton Hall
CLIFTON HALL: Temporary Landing Ground
Note: Now known as Lytham Hall.
Period of operation: Probably between 18th and 23rd October 1910?
NOTES: This account came from Harold Bridges autobiography, who became a major figure in road transport in this area, and he was ten at the time. His father was the head gamekeeper on the Clifton Estate and Squire Clifton had set up a horse race track on the edge of the estate which reached to the Squires Gate – and it was here that the famous Blackpool aerial meeting was being held. On the day the Bridges’ family visited Squires Gate no flying was underway as the winds were too strong and this was a huge disappointment as none of them had seen an aeroplane flying.
However, a couple of days later the butler informed Harold’s father that an aeroplane was going to visit the Hall. It did too and flew directly over their home on the estate. Harold states the pilot was “Graham White” who was of course Claude Grahame-White. It can probably be safely assumed this flight either took place during the ‘Meeting’ or possibly shortly after. Claude Grahame-White was arguably the most fervent British promoter of the aeroplane in those days so it is not at all surprising to find him doing ‘side trips’ to further the cause.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
