Eastbury House
EASTBURY HOUSE: Temporary landing site
These maps and pictures were kindly provided by Mr Michael T Holder who also did a great deal of the background history.
Location: In the middle of Eastbury Park, just E of Tarrant Gunville village and about 5nm NE of Blandford Forum town centre
Period of operation: 12th April 1911
NOTES: Mr Graham Gilmour landed here, together with Mr Gordon England acting as engineer, whilst en route from LARKHILL to HINTON St GEORGE. They had departed from the British and Colonial Company's (later named Bristol) Flying School, at 07.30 on a Bristol Military Biplane, (known today as a 'Boxkite'), and pretty soon got lost - heading south rather than south-west.
They landed at FRYERN COURT near Fordingbridge to obtain directions, and were treated to breakfast. (See seperate entry). Today it seems that this daring escapade by Mr Gilmour and Mr England seems largely forgotten about - which is really quite a shame. It needs to be remembered that this was the still in the dawn of powered aviation using very primitive flying machines. Louis Blériot has crossed the English Channel, (but only just), in July 1909 and the Daily Mail had sponsored the London to Manchester air race in 1910. Both of those epic flights had considerable help provided to aid navigation, whereas this series of flights had none.
Bearing in mind that the pilot and passenger sat exposed to the elements, a map couldn't be carried and the aeroplane didn't even have a compass. So, navigation really was a hit and miss affair, depending on a large degree of luck. Plus, they couldn't safely fly in any amount of wind except the lightest of breezes. The maximum speed was about 40mph, so any slight gust encountered worthy of the name, would easily render the machine in a stalled condition.
Note: Mike Holder, who is a great friend of this 'Guide', provided this map to help us understand exactly how this series of flights progressed.
It appears that Mr Gilmour had planned to visit his friend Mr Farquharson at Eastbury House, near Tarrant Gunville. Having found it they spent much of the day there and in the evening Gilmour took Mrs Farquharson up for a trip over the Downs. It has been noted that right up to WW2 that women were equally as keen, perhaps even keener, to experience flight.
The two intrepid aviators then took-off for BOWER HINTON, but a half decent breeze got up and they landed at HENSTRIDGE next to the railway station.
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