Lu Zuckerman
15th Aug 2003, 04:01
Bristow 50th Anniversary Re-Union
The Helicopter Museum (THM) at Weston-super-Mare is to host a 50th Anniversary re-union of Bristow Helicopter Ltd staff and guests over the weekend of 13th/14th September.
“As we have a number of former Bristow aircraft in our collection, we thought it would be appropriate to put on a special display this year to mark the 50th anniversary, and make it possible for former employees and current staff to meet up and reminisce” says Heather Moldram, THM marketing manager.
The company, which began life in 1953 as Air Whaling Ltd with an initial base at Henstridge in Somerset, moved into the offshore oil support business in 1955, and has specialised in this field ever since. THM has several relevant helicopters on display, including one of the first Westland WS-55 Whirlwinds operated by the company, a Westland WS-51A Widgeon used in the Persian Gulf and Nigeria, a Wessex 60 operated in Indonesia, Australia and Nigeria and a Hiller UH-12 flown in the pilot-training role.
The “Bristow Weekend” will include a special pictorial display drawn from the museum archives and a video facility to record anecdotes and experiences voiced by former employees.
“Everyone who has ever worked for Bristow over the past 50 years will be welcome” says THM Chairman of Trustees, Elfan ap Rees, “and we look forward to hearing more than a few tales of the old days”.
Over the weekend all museum visitors providing proof of Bristow employment will be admitted at half price, and will be issued with a special badge to identify them to former colleagues.
An optional ticket-only Saturday night buffet evening for Bristow guests and partners is also planned in the main display hangar for September 13th. Tickets can be purchased in advance from The Helicopter Museum, The Heliport, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. BS24 8PP. The price, including the buffet and wine/soft drinks, will be £10 per head, payable by cheque or credit card (Visa, Mastercard).
Further details of the event, and information on hotels and guest-houses in the Weston-s-Mare area, will be available on the museum website (www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk ) from 1st May. Enquiries can also be made direct to THM (Tel. 01934 635227).
The Helicopter Museum (THM) at Weston-super-Mare is to host a 50th Anniversary re-union of Bristow Helicopter Ltd staff and guests over the weekend of 13th/14th September.
“As we have a number of former Bristow aircraft in our collection, we thought it would be appropriate to put on a special display this year to mark the 50th anniversary, and make it possible for former employees and current staff to meet up and reminisce” says Heather Moldram, THM marketing manager.
The company, which began life in 1953 as Air Whaling Ltd with an initial base at Henstridge in Somerset, moved into the offshore oil support business in 1955, and has specialised in this field ever since. THM has several relevant helicopters on display, including one of the first Westland WS-55 Whirlwinds operated by the company, a Westland WS-51A Widgeon used in the Persian Gulf and Nigeria, a Wessex 60 operated in Indonesia, Australia and Nigeria and a Hiller UH-12 flown in the pilot-training role.
The “Bristow Weekend” will include a special pictorial display drawn from the museum archives and a video facility to record anecdotes and experiences voiced by former employees.
“Everyone who has ever worked for Bristow over the past 50 years will be welcome” says THM Chairman of Trustees, Elfan ap Rees, “and we look forward to hearing more than a few tales of the old days”.
Over the weekend all museum visitors providing proof of Bristow employment will be admitted at half price, and will be issued with a special badge to identify them to former colleagues.
An optional ticket-only Saturday night buffet evening for Bristow guests and partners is also planned in the main display hangar for September 13th. Tickets can be purchased in advance from The Helicopter Museum, The Heliport, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. BS24 8PP. The price, including the buffet and wine/soft drinks, will be £10 per head, payable by cheque or credit card (Visa, Mastercard).
Further details of the event, and information on hotels and guest-houses in the Weston-s-Mare area, will be available on the museum website (www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk ) from 1st May. Enquiries can also be made direct to THM (Tel. 01934 635227).