Sutton Bank September 2006

Every year a group of members take their gliders up to Sutton Bank in search of some late season soaring and that elusive wave. What a wonderful place to spend a week whether flying or just visiting the beautiful countryside. This year we were blessed with some thermal soaring and some excellent cross-country wave. Gold and Diamond heights being elusive creatures this year were more than made up for by the experience of soaring way above the clouds in the big blue along evenly spaced wave bars stretching as far as the eye could see. Click on the photos below and you’ll see what I mean.

When the wind is right, south westerly being the best direction, there is also some interesting ridge soaring. A ridge just that bit bigger than Nympsfield with some good exposed rock faces stretches for 5 miles in a northwesterly direction from the club. For the brave it is possible to jump forward from there and follow the ridge much further along towards the north. There is also a southerly facing ridge stretching towards the east from the club, not as high but I’m told it does work in the right wind direction.

It’s a friendly club, geared up for parties of visitors, sporting an unusual clubhouse with on site accommodation and a campsite. For a bit more comfort there are many local Bed and Breakfast opportunities. The thing that makes a week’s trip up here worthwhile regardless of good soaring conditions are the plentiful places to walk, the number of interesting towns and historical attractions for those days when the weather won’t behave, the friendliness of the people and the multitude of pubs serving great food and beer.