By James Kightly, Commissioning Editor
Enabling the next generation of restorers in vintage aviation is a perennial challenge. The preeminent Shuttleworth Collection, of Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, UK, has partnered with local organization The Connolly Foundation to award grants to five engineering apprentices currently under training at the Collection.
Chief Operating Officer at the The Connolly Foundation, David Oldham, recently presented the grants and meet the apprentices to see and hear about the fantastic work they do to keep this remarkable collection flying. Mr Oldham said “It was a privilege to be able to award these bursaries to help maintain the knowledge needed to keep the historic planes at Shuttleworth flying. The Connolly Foundation is keen to reward those who seek to develop their knowledge and their careers.”
Tim Routsis , the Chair of Trustees at the Shuttleworth Collection said, “We are hugely grateful to the Connolly Foundation for their generous support of our engineering apprentices and trainees, enabling us to develop a pipeline of skills necessary to keep this wonderful collection in the air.”
The Shuttleworth Collection is a historic, working aeronautical and automotive collection on a 1930s grass airfield, with more than 50 internationally significant historic aircraft, most of which are flown and displayed regularly, many powered by rare or sometimes unique engines, as well as equally rare cars, motorcycles, agricultural vehicles, and steam engines. The collection is situated at the Shuttleworth Old Warden Aerodrome, one of the few all-grass traditional aerodromes left in regular use in the UK. For more information about the Connolly Foundation visit www.connollyfoundation.org.uk.
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James Kightly, from Melbourne, Australia, discovered his passion for aviation at the Moorabbin collection in the late 1960s. With over 30 years of writing experience for aviation magazines in the UK, US, Australia, and France, he is a feature writer for Aeroplane Monthly and an advisor for the RAAF History & Heritage Branch.
James has interviewed aviation professionals worldwide and co-runs the Aviation Cultures conferences. He has flown in historic aircraft like the Canadian Warplane Heritage’s Lancaster. At Vintage Aviation News, he ensures accurate and insightful aviation history articles.
Outside aviation, James has worked extensively in the book trade and museums. He supports the Moorabbin Air Museum and the Shuttleworth Collection. James lives in rural Victoria with his wife and dog.
What a lovely article. I began my own apprenticeship at the Shuttleworth Collection in 1977. I was apprenticed to Bert Etheridge and also worked with Wally Berry, Geoff Wilderspin, Andy Preslent and Alan Brett. I lived in old Warden village and had some of the happiest years of my life there.
Bill Dotesio-Eyers
Dear Bill, That’s great to hear! Even I know here in Aus that Andy Preslent at least is still involved, and of course Wally Berry is a legindary name in the Collection.