Waltham actually opened as a civil airfield (Grimsby Airport) in about 1934
- 10th June 1933 - and it seems a splendid time was had by all. (Flight Report)
The official opening of the Lincolnshire Aero Club's new aerodrome took place on Saturday, June 10 1933. The opening ceremony was preceded by a lunch at which the President of the Club, Brig. Gen. C. G. Hoare, presided.
He announced that a message had been received from His Majesty the King which said " The King sincerely thanks the President and Committee of the Lincolnshire Aero Club, assembled at the new aerodrome, for its loyal message of greeting and sends his best wishes for the success of the undertaking." Maj. Mealing, in proposing the toast of " The Club and the Airport of Grimsby," said that as a result of flying clubs being started the number of pilots in the country had increased from 200 to 2,000 since 1925.
Clubs could be started by the initiative of private individuals, but it was up to members to keep them going. It was nonsense to say that the British Isles were too small for flying to be taken seriously, the growth of flying proved the contrary.
The Lincolnshire Aero Club, by providing an aerodrome, were not only performing a great local service, but also a great national service in providing a link in a chain of aerodromes throughout the country. Replying to the toast, Brig. Gen. Hoare said that he thought there was a great opportunity of establishing Continental traffic at Grimsby Aerodrome.
Mr. Walter West, in proposing the toast of " Visiting Pilots and Guests," said how greatly they appreciated the kindness of so many pilots in coming to the opening. Lt. R. R. Bentley replied on behalf of the visiting pilots and wished the Club " happy landings."
The Mayor of Grimsby, Coun. T. Newby, in replying on behalf of the visitors, remarked that in his opinion an aerodrome run by private enterprise would be more successful than one run by a municipality. After lunch Maj. Mealing formally declared the aerodrome open, and there followed a flying display.
The first event was an official salute and fly past of machines, followed by a demonstration of a Ford three engined monoplane. Flt. Lt. A. G. Loton then gave a demonstration of inverted flying on a Blackburn B.2 " Trainer," and two other pilots also gave an acrobatic display.
Capt. Tindall, the Club's chief instructor, bombed Mr. E. Johnson in a car, and two parachutists dropped simultaneously ; Mr. A. W. Fairlie, of Brooklands Airways, did a delayed drop, landing safely just outside the aerodrome.
A pilots' obstacle race was won by Mr. Henshaw, Mr. Cook being second. The trophy for a 30-mile race presented by the Grimsby News was won by Mr. Gardner in an Avro " Cadet," Capt. T. N. Stack being second in a Blackburn B.2, and Mr. Johnson third in a " Bluebird." By way of variation, there was some clever motor-cycle trick riding by Mr. E. Peacock, 'of Skegness, and Mr. W. French, also on a motor cycle, rode' through a sheet of plate glass.
During the afternoon the Mayor and Mayoress and Brig. Gen. Hoare took a flight in the Ford machine, piloted by Capt. Stack.
Among those present at the lunch and display were Col. the Master of Sempill, Mr. W. J. Womersley, M.P., and Mrs. Womersley, Col. Heneage, M.P., and Mrs. Heneage, Lt. R. R. Bentley, A.F.C., Wing Com. Woodhouse, D.S.O., M.C., and Mrs. Woodhouse, Capt. Norman Blackburn, Capt. Lamplugk, Miss M. Astill, and Messrs. M. D. L. Scott, C. S. Humphries, Henshaw, J. J. Scholes and H. M. Diamant.
The handicapping of the race was in the capable hands of Capt. Dancy and Mr. F. Rowarth, and Mr. William Courtenay presided at the microphone.