Telford SMW 2023 - skypirate itinerary revealed!

[skypirate]

After the last couple of years, I am deliberately looking ahead in order to keep my chin up.
I would like to attend SMW again, and my optimism bypasses 2022 since international travel will probably take some time to reset reliably.
So I am expecting to be able to make it to the 2023 event. (I have even bribed my family to join me, if possible).

I would appreciate any advance notice of dates and accommodation opening for bookings.

Very much looking forward to catching up with you guys!

David

[Gregers]

I will try to attend so if I can it will be great to meet you at last David.

All the best

Greg

[skypirate]

I will try to attend so if I can it will be great to meet you at last David.
All the best
Greg

Sounds great, Greg! You were the one who shepherded me into this forum all those years ago. I remember!

David

[iggie]

I know a good B&B that's nowhere near Telford, but that is handy for lots of Lincolnshire ex-bomber stations, Coningsby (BBMF) and Waddington (Reds from end of 2022) plus East Kirkby and Newark...
Oh and at that time of year there will be the better part of 2000 or so seals and pups down at Donna Nook!
It would be great to see you again David

[PaulBradley]

Oddly, I am also considering attending SMW in ‘23, and it would be great to meet up again, David!

[DavidWomby]

Me too. I was all set to do my bucket list SMW in 2020 when you know what happened! 2023 is now my hope.

David

[PaulBradley]

Well, perhaps we all need to plan a road trip!

[skypirate]

I know a good B&B that's nowhere near Telford, but that is handy for lots of Lincolnshire ex-bomber stations, Coningsby (BBMF) and Waddington (Reds from end of 2022) plus East Kirkby and Newark...
Oh and at that time of year there will be the better part of 2000 or so seals and pups down at Donna Nook!
It would be great to see you again David

Oddly, I am also considering attending SMW in ‘23, and it would be great to meet up again, David!
Well, perhaps we all need to plan a road trip!

Now there's and idea! Jim, Paul, David, yes, it will be great to catch up.
Perhaps a group of us can book in at Iggie's Marvellous Manor House for Modellers and use that base to explore Newark, Coningsby, the Squadron Bar at the Petwood Hotel, etc.. but no Blitz Builds, ok!? Newark and Coningsby are must-dos for me (and I have been to East Kirkby once, long before Just Jane was taxiing, and also to Wattisham once, watching 56 Sqn Phantoms). I would love to have another look at Elvington, too.

I note that some of the smaller UK museums are closed in November. And for this section of my trip, I would not drag my wife along.

Anyway, food for thought! Can we persuade TeeELL to escort us into RAF establishments?
(I will have to re-join IPMS UK. Do we need our own International table? )
Take care; stay healthy for SMW 2023! And beyond.....

Let the planning begin!

David

[Gregers]

Hi David, if you are frequenting Chez Iggie then the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum is not all that far away.

All the best

Greg

[skypirate]

Hi David, if you are frequenting Chez Iggie then the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum is not all that far away.
All the best
Greg

Noted! Thanks, Greg.

David

[PaulBradley]

Sounds like a grand plan, David!

[skypirate]

I will assemble some ideas,

David

[mattbacon]

Count me in for a meet-up at SYAM… it’s just down the road nowadays!
Best,
M.

[beany]

Count me in for a meet-up at SYAM… it’s just down the road nowadays!

Count me in too - now I am retired I can pretty much do what I want, when (and where) I want!

[TeeELL]

Anyway, food for thought! Can we persuade TeeELL to escort us into RAF establishments?

Were it in my gift to escort you onto and around RAF Stations I, of course, would. Unfortunately, the attitude of the UK Military towards ex-Service personnel leaves much to be desired. As an example, a 16 year old Air Cadet, using his 3822 cadet I/D booklet, is not only allowed onto an RAF Station, but can ‘escort’ me as my Air Cadet Civilian Instructor ID is not recognised!

However, I would be happy to tag along for some of the road trip. Metheringham Air Museum is very small but worth a look as is a drive around Metheringham airfield (literally across the road), which was ince the home to a single sqn of Lancasters. (A friends family once owned the land upon which the airfield is sighted).