Little Birchall
LITTLE BIRCHALL: Temporary aerodrome (Aka LEEK)
As far as can be determined, (by early 2024), this venue has been used three times. Once by the Berkshire Aviation Company in December 1920, then later by Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day Display tours in June 1933 and April 1934.
Location: Just W of the A520, and SE of Leek town centre
Periods of operation: 21st to 24th December 1920 Berkshire Aviation Company
27th June 1933 Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day No.2 Tour
23rd April 1934 Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day Tour
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for providing the maps and press cuttings.
The short article was published in the Leek Times on the 24th December 1920.
The second short article was published in the Staffordshire Sentinel on the 27th June 1933. The Notice was also published in the Staffordshire Sentinal, but this time on the 16th April 1934.
The third short article was also published in the Staffordshire Sentinal, but on the 23rd April 1934.The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
NOTES: In this 'Guide' quite a lot of information has been provided regarding the exploits of Sir Alan Cobham, which of course really is required. But, much less about the Berkshire Aviation Company and its history. To learn more I can highly recommend reading Those Fabulous Flying Years by Colin Cruddas.
Making this listing I found a certain coincidence worth remarking upon? When Alan Cobham left the RFC, (Royal Flying Corps after WW1), he became heavily involved with Fred and Jack Holmes, founding the Berkshire Aviation Company. Based at YEW TREE FARM in/near East Hanney village in Berkshire. In fact they sometimes traded under the name Cobham and Holmes Aviation Co.
It is of course always a bad mistake to make assumptions, especially regarding aviation history. A lesson I have learnt the hard way since starting this project around twenty five years ago, (in 2023). For example, it occurred to me, that Sir Alan Cobham may well have been aware of this potential venue due to his involvement with Berkshire Aviation? Perhaps or perhaps not (?), as he resigned from the company in May 1920. Also, LEEK was not a venue he visited during his 1929 Municipal Aerodrome Campaign, visiting some 107 venues.
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