THE longest-standing member of Cotswold Gliding Club has been awarded a bronze medal at a Royal Aero Club celebration.
Larry Bleaken was presented with the Bronze Medal of the Royal Aero Club of the UK on May 18 in London.
Mr Bleaken is a founding member of the club at Aston Down airfield. He has flown from the club ever since its establishment on August 1, 1964.
When the government in 1980 put the ex-RAF airfield at Aston Down up for sale by auction, Mr Bleaken was instrumental in the processes and negotiations that resulted in the club acquiring a significant part of the airfield.
In the following 36 years, Mr Bleaken has been a member of the five-person board of directors of the land-owning company established by the club.
John Docherty, marketing officer at the club said: "His wisdom, advice, guidance and sheer ‘nouse’ has meant that the club owns a very significant freehold unencumbered airfield asset that provides long-term security for gliding in the Cotswolds.”
The club will also be hosting a regional gliding competition from July 22 to July 30.
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