Thanks for the prompt spit1940 – to be honest I have a vague recollection, but sadly your face doesn’t spring to mind; but I’m sure I’ll recognise you when I see you! 😮

Sorry to hear that you cannot make it Blue – still someone needs to keep YAM going! You’re about the 5th person to mention the need to keep Ben away from the food, so I’ll keep an eye on that situation! 😀 (Don’t worry Ben I’ve got a list of their names!!)

I’ve managed to do a deal on admissions for non-Cockpiteers and if you PM me your name I’ll leave a pass in the Shop for each of you! 😉

Sorry Brian it’s my pharmacology background – it might have been better if I’d said ‘gluten intolerant’.

That said you may be worried to note that the forum adword adverts are ‘currently’ offering me “Mincemeat Pie Recipes” from recipehub.com!! 😮

As for the cockpit access on XV490 I may know more on volunteer availability after Tuesday’s site visit. 🙂

How does the lack of participants relate to a lack of museum volunteer resources? surely the decision to attend or not is taken by the individual based on factors that relate to them, i.e, weather, (previous year, as well as the current one) clash of events, (Kemble for one) family commitments, (fathers day) the individuals financial position, (travelling costs trailer hire) etc.

Sadly you seem to not appreciate the co-ordination effort that goes in behind the scenes, to keep in touch with people; send out invites; keep other supporters on board etc. etc. – if only it were a case of announce the date and everyone turn up, have a great time and come back the following year!

Keep the faith Justin and your event will go from strength to strength; organisations seldom get everything right all of the time – but as you’ll sense from the positive feedback most of the cockpiteers feel that it’s something worthwhile supporting! 🙂

Prompted by David’s comments and having previously supplied newsletter information to Justin off-board on this subject I have done a little ‘research’ using the oracle! 😀

Number of cockpits at Cockpit-Fest by year:

2000 – 10
2001 – 15
2002 – 22
2003 – 9*
2004 – 19
2005 – 20
2006 – 19
2007 – 23
2008 – 21
2009 – 26
2010 – 18
2011 – 20
2012 – 32**

*HLF funding secured in March 2003 for Hangar 2 project; building work eventually started in November 2003 after significant contract implementation programme.

**My cockpit count data that includes items that only exhibited on one of the days.

Sorry for the HLF lapse, which recovered slightly quicker than I recalled. I won’t let it happen again, well until NAM gets its next HLF grant!! 😉

Please also remember the huge increase in additional supporting displays that has been attained. 🙂

………… ever the one for a challenge!! :diablo: