Sad News. Biggin Hill, Pilots Pals Bar Closing.
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Sad News. Biggin Hill, Pilots Pals Bar Closing.
I received this email today. . . Sad news indeed. 
BH
Hi everyone
This is the email that I had always hoped we would not need to send....
End of an era.
You will of course be aware that for some years the Pilots Pals Club has
been suffering from a reduced support. Indeed that was the reason that the
club was criticised for encouraging support from outside the airport, from
local residents, whose regular use of the bar effectively kept it open for some
18 months to 2 years when support from the airport community waned.
At the request of the airport, the club changed to a proper full membership
only club on January 1st 2007 (which it should always have been of course!),
albeit with initial membership somewhat cheaper than was realistic in the
longer term. The support for the club in terms of people joining has been
amazing - clear indication that you all actually value the club. BUT,
unfortunately the membership fee doesn't pay the bills unless members use
the club regularly and spend money on a day to day basis in the bar, and all
will be aware that, in spite of there being 571 members signed up, the bar
has been very quiet and simply not supported enough. Obviously there have
been exceptionally busy periods at times, which may have appeared to many
members to indicate that a turnaround had occured. Unfortunately though
most of the time there has just been one or two people there after the initial
apparent rush around 6pm, and many nights after 8pm the club has been
empty. The recent BBQ was a good example - in spite of much publicity, it
resembled a family BBQ at home, with just a handful of the loyal local
members for a few hours. (In fact, if it was not for the income generated from
the membership fees, the club would probably have been forced to close it's
doors in the Spring this year)
The airport authorities have offered "Joe Merchant (trading as Pilots Pals)"
new accommodation in the soon to be developed South Camp area (smaller
than the present premises, but adequate we believe). Unfortunately the
Airport failed to recognise the fact that Joe had formed a business called
Pilots Pals Ltd back in 2005, even before they issued him with a short term
lease following the demise of Civilair (from whom the club sub-leased its
premises). Their offer of accommodation was specifically to Joe Merchant
personally, and they recently refused to allow the limited company to be
recognised at all. The new lease would require Joe personally (at age 67!) to
provide and sign a "personal guarantee" for the 22 year term of the lease. (If
the airport had continued to recognise the Limited Company - bearing in
mind that the Limited Company had been paying the quarterly rent from the
outset until their recent refusal, then the situation MAY have been different,
as it could have been that other people could have become financially
involved in the ownership of the club and taken away some of the
responsibility from Joe personally). Their refusal to accept the existance of
the Limited Company, and the clear and continuing reduction in day to day
usage from the membership has changed everything!
Most of you will be aware that Joe has been quite ill in recent months - that is
one of the prime reasons for the switch to a Committee based management
from this year - to try to remove much of the day to day worry from Joe. He
has, after all, been running the club for us all virtually 7 days a week, 52
weeks a year, for the last 20 odd years, and he is getting older and needs
more out of life in his advancing years. The pressure of the need to consider
the financial effects on him and his plans for ultimate retirement of a 22 year
personal guarantee, for a club that is simply not proving viable as a
continuing business, without more substantial support from the airport and
members, has taken its toll on Joe's health, and this cannot continue.
Due to lack of funds and the indications that club day to day support will
simply not earn what is needed to enable it to continue, Joe has been forced
to concede defeat and allow the club to close. Accordingly, the club will only
be able to continue until the end of the current rental period, i.e. 31st August
2007, and will then close its doors for good.
The Committee and Joe's many friends will, I'm sure, wish Joe well and
thank him for all the years of devotion and effort he has put into the club. No
one could have done more for the final remaining social focal point of Biggin
Hill. But his health must come first. This decision has not been taken lightly!
It is our understanding that, if Joe is not involved in the business, then the
airport may not recognise the club, and not allow it premises in the new
development area where there would be suitable views of the airport for
members enjoyment - a different location would be likely to be unacceptable
to members. This has yet to be finally confirmed of course.
So, unless any of you out there can come up with any ideas, the final chapter
in Biggin Hill Airport's social life seems to be closing - at one stage there
were 14 flying clubs on the airport, and almost all of them had a bar. Social
events and inter-club rallies and parties were an almost weekly occurence.
One by one they have been forced to close, and we are not just left with a
handfull of clubs attempting to survive in these more difficult times for
General Aviation. But the social scene is finally dead. At least many of us will
have our memories of events, and more especially - people. No one can take
those away!
I will personally still try to maintain the Biggin Hill Airport Users Database and
send out Newsletters periodically, but these will inevitably be less frequent
without an airport social focus point from which to derive items of interest.
I am sorry to be the bearer of this sad news, but Joe and the rest of the
Committee felt you should all be told the true state of affairs as soon as the
situation was recognised.
John Willis
Biggin Hill Airport Users Database
& Pilots Pals Club Committee
This is the email that I had always hoped we would not need to send....
End of an era.
You will of course be aware that for some years the Pilots Pals Club has
been suffering from a reduced support. Indeed that was the reason that the
club was criticised for encouraging support from outside the airport, from
local residents, whose regular use of the bar effectively kept it open for some
18 months to 2 years when support from the airport community waned.
At the request of the airport, the club changed to a proper full membership
only club on January 1st 2007 (which it should always have been of course!),
albeit with initial membership somewhat cheaper than was realistic in the
longer term. The support for the club in terms of people joining has been
amazing - clear indication that you all actually value the club. BUT,
unfortunately the membership fee doesn't pay the bills unless members use
the club regularly and spend money on a day to day basis in the bar, and all
will be aware that, in spite of there being 571 members signed up, the bar
has been very quiet and simply not supported enough. Obviously there have
been exceptionally busy periods at times, which may have appeared to many
members to indicate that a turnaround had occured. Unfortunately though
most of the time there has just been one or two people there after the initial
apparent rush around 6pm, and many nights after 8pm the club has been
empty. The recent BBQ was a good example - in spite of much publicity, it
resembled a family BBQ at home, with just a handful of the loyal local
members for a few hours. (In fact, if it was not for the income generated from
the membership fees, the club would probably have been forced to close it's
doors in the Spring this year)
The airport authorities have offered "Joe Merchant (trading as Pilots Pals)"
new accommodation in the soon to be developed South Camp area (smaller
than the present premises, but adequate we believe). Unfortunately the
Airport failed to recognise the fact that Joe had formed a business called
Pilots Pals Ltd back in 2005, even before they issued him with a short term
lease following the demise of Civilair (from whom the club sub-leased its
premises). Their offer of accommodation was specifically to Joe Merchant
personally, and they recently refused to allow the limited company to be
recognised at all. The new lease would require Joe personally (at age 67!) to
provide and sign a "personal guarantee" for the 22 year term of the lease. (If
the airport had continued to recognise the Limited Company - bearing in
mind that the Limited Company had been paying the quarterly rent from the
outset until their recent refusal, then the situation MAY have been different,
as it could have been that other people could have become financially
involved in the ownership of the club and taken away some of the
responsibility from Joe personally). Their refusal to accept the existance of
the Limited Company, and the clear and continuing reduction in day to day
usage from the membership has changed everything!
Most of you will be aware that Joe has been quite ill in recent months - that is
one of the prime reasons for the switch to a Committee based management
from this year - to try to remove much of the day to day worry from Joe. He
has, after all, been running the club for us all virtually 7 days a week, 52
weeks a year, for the last 20 odd years, and he is getting older and needs
more out of life in his advancing years. The pressure of the need to consider
the financial effects on him and his plans for ultimate retirement of a 22 year
personal guarantee, for a club that is simply not proving viable as a
continuing business, without more substantial support from the airport and
members, has taken its toll on Joe's health, and this cannot continue.
Due to lack of funds and the indications that club day to day support will
simply not earn what is needed to enable it to continue, Joe has been forced
to concede defeat and allow the club to close. Accordingly, the club will only
be able to continue until the end of the current rental period, i.e. 31st August
2007, and will then close its doors for good.
The Committee and Joe's many friends will, I'm sure, wish Joe well and
thank him for all the years of devotion and effort he has put into the club. No
one could have done more for the final remaining social focal point of Biggin
Hill. But his health must come first. This decision has not been taken lightly!
It is our understanding that, if Joe is not involved in the business, then the
airport may not recognise the club, and not allow it premises in the new
development area where there would be suitable views of the airport for
members enjoyment - a different location would be likely to be unacceptable
to members. This has yet to be finally confirmed of course.
So, unless any of you out there can come up with any ideas, the final chapter
in Biggin Hill Airport's social life seems to be closing - at one stage there
were 14 flying clubs on the airport, and almost all of them had a bar. Social
events and inter-club rallies and parties were an almost weekly occurence.
One by one they have been forced to close, and we are not just left with a
handfull of clubs attempting to survive in these more difficult times for
General Aviation. But the social scene is finally dead. At least many of us will
have our memories of events, and more especially - people. No one can take
those away!
I will personally still try to maintain the Biggin Hill Airport Users Database and
send out Newsletters periodically, but these will inevitably be less frequent
without an airport social focus point from which to derive items of interest.
I am sorry to be the bearer of this sad news, but Joe and the rest of the
Committee felt you should all be told the true state of affairs as soon as the
situation was recognised.
John Willis
Biggin Hill Airport Users Database
& Pilots Pals Club Committee
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Another nail in the coffin of common sense and fun flying (and getting absolutely ratted in Joe's Bar!)
Joe is actually 32 yr old, but all those years of looking at the Pilot's Pals lovelies has taken it's toll somewhat.....
Joe is actually 32 yr old, but all those years of looking at the Pilot's Pals lovelies has taken it's toll somewhat.....
PPRuNe Playmate of the Month
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I'm sorry to read this. It was of course the source of my name. I shall cherish my Pilot's Pal coffee mug all the more.
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That is such a shame, I first got drunk 
in there when I was a young PPL student, I got my first couple of jobs by meeting people in that place. I have met so many people through the bar, mind you, lost quite a few friends at the same time. It will change the face of private flying at Biggin Hill for ever and for the worse. Are you sure Joe has not always been 21!! He always seems able to stand up longer at the parties than me.
I hope there will be a proper closing party, Joe enjoy retirement.
BF
in there when I was a young PPL student, I got my first couple of jobs by meeting people in that place. I have met so many people through the bar, mind you, lost quite a few friends at the same time. It will change the face of private flying at Biggin Hill for ever and for the worse. Are you sure Joe has not always been 21!! He always seems able to stand up longer at the parties than me. I hope there will be a proper closing party, Joe enjoy retirement.
BF
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That is such a shame, I first got drunk in there when I was a young PPL student, I got my first couple of jobs by meeting people in that place. I have met so many people through the bar, mind you, lost quite a few friends at the same time. It will change the face of private flying at Biggin Hill for ever and for the worse. Are you sure Joe has not always been 21!! He always seems able to stand up longer at the parties than me.
Joe thankyou very much for providing a place where fellow aviatiors were able to meet with such a brilliant view of the airfield and London, who knows without meeting those people in there I might not be where I am today.
I hope there is a closing party and the date is published on PPrune
BF
in there when I was a young PPL student, I got my first couple of jobs by meeting people in that place. I have met so many people through the bar, mind you, lost quite a few friends at the same time. It will change the face of private flying at Biggin Hill for ever and for the worse. Are you sure Joe has not always been 21!! He always seems able to stand up longer at the parties than me. Joe thankyou very much for providing a place where fellow aviatiors were able to meet with such a brilliant view of the airfield and London, who knows without meeting those people in there I might not be where I am today.
I hope there is a closing party and the date is published on PPrune
BF
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Biggin Hill Pilots' Pals Bar Closing Party
A date to add to your diaries!
Joe Merchant will be holding a closing down party (or should we call it a wake?) at the bar on 25th August - time 16:00 to 18:00 for those who are not up to a really heavy night, and just wish to meet up at the
club for possibly the last time, followed by a party into the
night to deplete the stocks of booze before the closure - as Joe
said - everything must go...
Joe Merchant will be holding a closing down party (or should we call it a wake?) at the bar on 25th August - time 16:00 to 18:00 for those who are not up to a really heavy night, and just wish to meet up at the
club for possibly the last time, followed by a party into the
night to deplete the stocks of booze before the closure - as Joe
said - everything must go...
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This is a sad story, and it's all the fault of that damned internet!!!!!
...and forums like this, we don't need pubs anymore to tell our hero stories or to learn new tricks!! It's no joke, when i was in university part of studying was going to the pub mostly of the week, there you learned socializing etc. now students are sitting on the internet, using msn to get laid, i met all my wifes in pubs damned!! now the student pubs are empty!!!! it's a shame!!!! the world is comming to an end!! luckely we have global warming (were the hell is that global warming ?? global warming my @ss!!)
...and forums like this, we don't need pubs anymore to tell our hero stories or to learn new tricks!! It's no joke, when i was in university part of studying was going to the pub mostly of the week, there you learned socializing etc. now students are sitting on the internet, using msn to get laid, i met all my wifes in pubs damned!! now the student pubs are empty!!!! it's a shame!!!! the world is comming to an end!! luckely we have global warming (were the hell is that global warming ?? global warming my @ss!!)
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This really is a blow - one of the greater pleasures of using the over-priced Biggin Hill has been to go to this bar after flying for the pleasure of Landing Drinks amongst fellow aviators.
Sounds like a 'use it or lose it' situation, so I guess we only have ourselves to blame!
Sad news indeed.
Sounds like a 'use it or lose it' situation, so I guess we only have ourselves to blame!
Sad news indeed.
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Isn't Joe still with his wife/partner? I can't remember her name, but she was on reception at Civilair at Biggin. Very nice lady - must be retired now. She had a lot of patience - what with Joe always drooling over 18-year-old girls posing for his girlie calenders!!
I hear that Gary his son settled down though. Apparently got married in a civil ceremony to his partner, Kevin, last August in Brighton. I know Gary used to work with theatricals before he started flying - I think he was an agent?
I hear that Gary his son settled down though. Apparently got married in a civil ceremony to his partner, Kevin, last August in Brighton. I know Gary used to work with theatricals before he started flying - I think he was an agent?
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Oh wow! Nice to hear that Gary's settled now - I know he went through a bad patch in the 90s with personal problems so it's heartening to know it's all worked out well for him.
From what I remember, Gary's dad Joe was a harmless soul who liked to banter and flirt like an old goodun, but no-one took him seriously! He was just a sweet harmless elderly man, and he certainly brought the custom in to Pilots Pals. I nicknamed him Whoopie Cushion cos his face was all flat and wet cos he was always licking his lips staring at us girls!!
Joe was a real character and I bet Alicante doesn't know what's hit it now he's living out there!!! He must be pushing 80 by now and I bet he's still going strong with all the gab!!LOL
Aaaah...what a shame PPs has closed - it was a fab place to hang out after flying.
From what I remember, Gary's dad Joe was a harmless soul who liked to banter and flirt like an old goodun, but no-one took him seriously! He was just a sweet harmless elderly man, and he certainly brought the custom in to Pilots Pals. I nicknamed him Whoopie Cushion cos his face was all flat and wet cos he was always licking his lips staring at us girls!!
Joe was a real character and I bet Alicante doesn't know what's hit it now he's living out there!!! He must be pushing 80 by now and I bet he's still going strong with all the gab!!LOL
Aaaah...what a shame PPs has closed - it was a fab place to hang out after flying.
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Erm, FlyingVisit I think that you may have made a little error!! Gary is indeed now married, to a very nice young lady called Nicky!!! Have seen pictures from their wedding so know it is fact.............
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Whooops!
My source must have heard Chinese Whispers, Airgirl!
I know Gary did go through a 'phase' some years back and Joe - being JOE - said he had to sort himself out. Seems that's just what he did - straightened himself out!! But he was defintely more than just a little 'confused' shall we say...........
Is Joe still with his wife do you know? She was a very nice woman.
My source must have heard Chinese Whispers, Airgirl! I know Gary did go through a 'phase' some years back and Joe - being JOE - said he had to sort himself out. Seems that's just what he did - straightened himself out!! But he was defintely more than just a little 'confused' shall we say...........Is Joe still with his wife do you know? She was a very nice woman.
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I speak from being very close to Gary, he never ,to my knowledge had any "problems" or was "confused" he has always been in work, apart from his time training, is very happily married to the head of ATC training at Lydd and has been a Captain for the last two and a half years at LGW for the orange lot!
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Gary has developed into a well balanced, God fearing, sober individual.
His part time job in the Salvation Army as a Trombone player keeps him in pocket money whilst the down turn in the low cost budget flying business has reduced his flight pay.
But those of us who knew him many, many, many years back know of a much more 'outgoing' personality.
But all jokes aside......the lad has done good.
...and Joe has a well deserved retirement after putting up with us p!ss heads for all those years.
His part time job in the Salvation Army as a Trombone player keeps him in pocket money whilst the down turn in the low cost budget flying business has reduced his flight pay.
But those of us who knew him many, many, many years back know of a much more 'outgoing' personality.
But all jokes aside......the lad has done good.
...and Joe has a well deserved retirement after putting up with us p!ss heads for all those years.
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Oh yes! Gary was definitely very OUTgoing back in the late 90s I s'pose playing his trombone in the SA keeps him on the straight and narrow!
Old Joe Merchant was quite the opposite - he always had an eye for the young girls - just as well they all used to laugh him off. Not many young girls fancy men who slobber all over them when they look like a porkie wet-lipped old bloater.
I s'pose playing his trombone in the SA keeps him on the straight and narrow!Old Joe Merchant was quite the opposite - he always had an eye for the young girls - just as well they all used to laugh him off. Not many young girls fancy men who slobber all over them when they look like a porkie wet-lipped old bloater.
