We have been invited to join the Matra Enthusiasts Club for their Christmas meet on Sunday 5th December.
Either 11.00 am at Croydon airport for tour and short run to the Grasshopper
or approx 12.30 - 1.00 pm at the Grasshopper
Please come in something interesting, Matra associated if you have one eg Avantime
Full details below:
Xmas MEC Meeting: CROYDON AIRPORT Visit & Club Tour To Grasshopper Inn
Sunday 5th December 2010 starting 11.00am SHARP - CROYDON AIRPORT
Dear Member,
We have added yet another element to our Xmas Club Meeting this year at our Secretary’s request. So, come and join other MEC Club Members at the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre this year and learn of the early development of the site and its involvement during World War 1. In the years following, Croydon remained London’s 1st and main airport until well after the Second World War.
Closed to flights in 1959, all that remains of the airport is the buildings and their fascinating history. Housed in the old Control tower, the Visitors Centre takes a look at the world’s first purpose built airport during the heyday of aviation. Three galleries, “London’s International Airport”, “Gateway to the World” and the restored “Radio Room” allow the visitor to really have a feel for how life was lived in the pioneering days of air travel.
The Visitors Centre is in Airport House, Purley Way (on A23 from J7 M25), Croydon CR0 0XZ (so set your Sat Navs) next door to the Aerodrome Hotel. There is Free parking at Weekends at the rear of the building. Our own visit coincides with their normal once a month Sunday opening to Visitors for more background (See www.controltowers.co.uk/c/croydon.htm). We have asked for our Club to be given priority on the basis we are all there in the Front Lobby (Old Booking/Reception Hall) at 11.00am Sharp. After the Airport tour of around 45 minutes, and a suitable donation to their Charity, we then intend to have a Club tour via the bye-ways to the Grasshopper Inn, Moorhouse (A25),Near Westerham TN16 2EU (www.grasshopperinn.co.uk). As in previous years, we plan to have lunch there and where we hope to have use of the Gallery Room again with possibly TV/Video/DVD facilities if weather is poor.
Should you unfortunately arrive after 11.00am and have to take a later Airport tour, to then get to the Grasshopper Inn quickly you can take the A23 Purley Way South again back to the M25 (J7). Joining M25 turn left (East) and at next Junction (J6), there is a short stretch South on A22 to 1st roundabout. At roundabout take left (East) on the A25 and the Grasshopper Inn is on your left after about 4 miles before you get to Westerham itself
We have invited the Avantime Club Members and some others to join us again so we hope to have a good Xmas MATRA meeting once again. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and do hope to see you there.
One for the ski enthusiast...
