The
club came into being, mainly as a result of the efforts of Colin Jackson (still
an active club member), back in 1980. He made contact with various local members
of the British Kite Flying Association with a view to forming a “local”
outlet for keen flyers. The inaugural meeting took place in the autumn of that
year at Ernulf School in St. Neots. Flyers joined on the promise that the club
would be aimed at “the Family” and allow novices to fly alongside experts.
The
title of the club was derived from the expectancy that prospective members would
be drawn from the Counties bordering the flow of the River Great Ouse. Today, it
is surprising just how many members come from beyond this “catchment”.
During
it’s development, GOKF has forged links with the MacMillan Cancer Relief
organisation. All our fund raising activities have become directed to the funds
of this wonderful charity, through their Peterborough office. In recent years an
auction of kites and kite memorabilia raised almost £1,000 at the club AGM, and
last year, a 24hour fly-in at Ferry Meadows (in very wet and miserable weather),
raised a further £800.
A
regular feature of club activities is Children’s Kite Workshops. Not only do
they raise some monies for MacMillan Cancer Relief, but they provide an
introduction to kiting for children. The workshops are arranged through schools,
clubs and societies ………they are fun and also educational.
The
club now has two established, regular flying sites. Ferry Meadows in
Peterborough, courtesy of Nene Park Trust (this is our Festival site), and
Priory Park in Bedford, courtesy of Bedford City Council. Our third site, once a
year, is Plummer Park on the south edge of Grafham Water, where tradition has it
that we meet, fly and enjoy festive goodies every New Year’s Day!
This
year (2001) sees the club’s own 5th Annual Peterborough Kite Festival take to
the air at 10.00 am on Sunday 10th June. Backing by members gets
stronger every year, and the event is becoming established as a “must visit”
in many flyer’s diaries.
We
have a history of being a friendly club willing to accept membership from anyone
who wants to fly. We obviously meet to enjoy the experiences of kite flying, we
also chat, offer advice and try to be helpful and welcoming. The sky is
free…..why not come and enjoy it with us!