“It has been announced from deHMC HQ that the 2015 Moth Rally at Woburn Abbey was to be the last. The effort to run the Rally by a small organising team operating all year round is considerable and most of us are not in our first flush of youth. The financial stakes are becoming huge and income is dependent on public attendance which has not been great. Finally, the weather plays a very big part both in aeroplane and public attendance. Whereas Moth Rallies of old were mostly blessed with fine weather and light winds, more recently the weather has been changeable to say the least. We lost whole days in 2013 and 2014.
2015 saw a return to the more traditional ‘Woburn Weather’ and we had a good time celebrating the 30th event of its kind, the 40th anniversary of the de Havilland Moth Club and the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the first Moth. We now feel it is time to stop.
For the future the plan is to organise something, somewhere, on a much less ambitious scale and investigation of the prospect is already under way. It addition we may well see the return of a Charity Flying event now that the rules have been reassessed.”
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st December 2015 at 23:10
Not at all.
If you say so…………………!!!!!
By: Mothminor - 21st December 2015 at 16:59
Mothminor………. Have looked through the lists for the Famous Grouse Rally. Pleased to say the vast majority of the aircraft listed are still active, albeit some have moved abroad. Can only find one which can be regarded as “destroyed”.
Thanks for doing that 🙂 Glad to hear most are still going strong.
By: Mike J - 21st December 2015 at 15:56
The thread title is a little misleading…
Not at all.
The communiqué from the Club makes it very clear that the Moth Rally, on the scale of those of the past, will not be happening again.
By: Consul - 21st December 2015 at 14:10
I don’t think the thread title was misleading. Although there is the prospect of modest gatherings in the future, it is clear from Stuart’s note that the day of the Rally as we knew it is over. The Club has done a marvellous job over the years and at its peak the annual event attracted some amazing vistors some of whom brought aircraft very long distances just to join in. Although it was initially run by members for members it was always possible for non-members to still view the gathering on site whether a member or not.
Maybe the number of de Havilland types visiting the annual LAA gathering may now increase. Prior to the Moth Club rallies coming onto the scene the old PFA rallies used to host a higher proportion of Moths than has been the case since.
It is heartening that the prospect of charity flying days may well return as a feature of the club’s calendar.
Thank you to all who made the Moth Club rallies so enjoyable – attending variously by road or air it was always a joy.
Tim
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st December 2015 at 13:44
The thread title is a little misleading. Certainly it is clear that the Moth Club will not be organising any further rallies at Woburn but the door is left open for other venues such as possibly Old Warden. In fact the annual rally was held there in 2001, the year of the Foot and Mouth epidemic. It is also possible the Moth Club organised Charity Flying days could be reinstated………… Watch this space.
Mothminor………. Have looked through the lists for the Famous Grouse Rally. Pleased to say the vast majority of the aircraft listed are still active, albeit some have moved abroad. Can only find one which can be regarded as “destroyed”.
So sorry to see the end of the Woburn rallies, they were some thing very special…………..
By: Mothminor - 21st December 2015 at 08:29
I only saw one rally, at Strathallan in 1979, but won’t forget the sight and sound. This is sad news and I too hope something fills the gap. I would guess that the Strathallan event was the furthest away one? It was a great line-up. Wonder if they’re all still flying now – frightening to think it was 37 years ago!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]242694[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]242695[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]242696[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]242697[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]242698[/ATTACH]
By: Denis - 20th December 2015 at 18:11
This is sad news, I have helped out a couple of times, once at Halton the other at Woburn.
Woburn is the only place where it all seemed to work well, I shall miss the rally dearly!
By: farnboroughrob - 20th December 2015 at 17:20
I actually see this as a opportunity. I attended most of the 90’s and 2000’s , a couple of Halton events, and 2014. The previous rallys had good aircraft attendance but those of us non-members paying to get in seemed to feel like 3rd class citizens. I was glad of the access in 2014, it was long overdue. There are plenty of airfields who would probably host the rally for free as long as the rally people organized everything? This would cut costs dramatically and could result in a much more open event if the organizers wished? Although, based on the Halton events, members may not be that keen to bring their aircraft?
By: David Burke - 20th December 2015 at 17:07
Maybe Shuttleworth could be persuaded to have a Moth day ?
By: Propstrike - 20th December 2015 at 17:02
What a shame, but an understandable decision, given the circumstances.
However, Moths ‘a’ plenty, arrayed on a grass airfield has been a enduring pleasure for over 80 years, and there is too much affection for that all to just stop.
I am certain a new event will emerge, run by new blood with new energy. This is a spectacle that must never be moth-balled!
By: Steve Bond - 20th December 2015 at 16:49
Here, here. These rallies were simply unmissable and had a fantastic atmosphere. Well done Stuart et al, you’ve earned the rest!
By: Sideslip - 20th December 2015 at 16:42
This is a very sad loss to the British aviation scene. I would however, like to express my appreciation to Stuart McKay and all the De Havilland Moth Club team for all their hard work in the past in making Woburn such a great event enjoyed by many people.
Sign In
December 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm