The 1999 Blorenge Party and Fly-in
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"It's just like Woodstock" said one guy as he walked past the main marquee, and I knew exactly what he meant. We had all gathered amidst a sea of tents, pitched alongside the river Usk at Pen-y-Worlod Farm, to celebrate the purchase of the Blorenge. Around 1,000 acres of mountain overlooking Abergavenny, and towering some 480m above us.
With good weather forecast, and high pressure building, the first visitors started to arrive around Friday lunchtime. |
By Saturday morning over 570 people had come along to join in the fun,
and it looked as though the event was going to be a success. What a relief!
Along with the crowds, Saturday also brought light winds, and an ideal opportunity for everyone to fly the Blorenge. A light hearted triangle task was set, with points for taking off, landing, spot landing, etc. Paragliders were able to land in the field next to the camp site, but hang glider pilots were recommended to use the much larger field at Castle Meadows. A minibus shuttle service was provided to the car park at top of the Blorenge, where 4WD vehicles were waiting to ferry pilots to take-off. This service proved very popular, and ran until around 7.00pm.
Light winds generally resulted in low scores, but at least the hassle free journey to takeoff encouraged multiple attempts. Mighty Wessex took the team prize, beating the Birds and the Soft Southern Pansies by just 10 points, whilst Steve Senior's trip to Hay Bluff earned him a prize for the longest flight of the day.
The day's competition over it was down to some serious partying. An on site bar, two bands, a disco, Greek style barbecue and the ubiquitous van serving everything from burgers to steak and chips van ensured that all needs were catered for. Between bands there was just time for a stunning firework display off the top of the Blorenge.
I don't think the Blorenge has ever been illuminated in quite such a spectacular way before, and it was certainly a sight I won't forget in a hurry.
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Sunday eventually dawned, quite slowly for some, with the burger van doing a brisk trade in coffee and breakfasts.
One or two pilots tried the parachute deployment slide. Other less adventuresome pilots took a stroll around the various trade stands looking at the latest goodies on offer. The firms exhibiting their wares included: |
With the wind off to the SW, it was decided that free flying at Nant-y-Moel was the best option for the day. Initially the sky was full of paragliders, though no great height was to be had. Later the wind stiffened and it was time for the hang gliders to come out and play.
Another days flying over, pilots returned to the camp site for a few more beers and another couple of bands. The entertainment between bands was rather more small scale than the previous evening, with a fire eater and juggler entertaining everyone - outside the marquee I'm pleased to say.
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Monday dawned with bright sun shine and a light north westerly, which meant the fancy dress fly down was able to get under way. No rival for St Hillaire yet, but quite a few pilots got into the right spirit and put a lot of time and effort into the event. | ||
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Some made an impact through colourful costumes
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the Man in the Moon, Neptune, a Chicken, a Baby, a Ladybird, a Welsh Dragon and Frankenfurter from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. | |||
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One guy tried a totally different approach .......
and flew down wearing nothing but a strategically placed bright pink Flytec vario bag.
The winners were the man in the moon (Paragliding), and the Welsh Dragon (Hang Gliding). | ||
The fancy dress competition over, the rest of the day was turned over to free flying. A stiffening North westerly breeze encouraged some pilots to try their luck at Hay Bluff and Merthyr. Those remaining once again took advantage of the Blorenge mini bus service.
The afternoon was sadly marred by a mid-air collision in front of the NW face of the Blorenge. Our thanks go to all who assisted during the emergency, especially the Air Ambulance and the doctor from Bristol who immediately took charge of the situation. Fortunately the injuries, whilst serious, proved not to be life threatening. Both pilots are now out of hospital.
As the day drew to a close, pilots slowly returned to the camp site to pack up and start the long journey home. Putting the mid-air to one side, the weekend had been a success, with the emphasis firmly on fun rather than serious competition.
Our thanks to everyone who made it happen, especially all the pilots who came along and brought such a great end of summer atmosphere with them.
The 1999 event truly was a fitting celebration of the purchase of the Blorenge.
[ 2001 Blorenge Party] - [ 2002 Blorenge Party] - [ 2003 Blorenge Party]
