Page 12 • The HERALD • 8th December 2022 v EMAIL YOUR NEWS: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk v New Forest Scaffolding All aspects of scaffolding undertaken • Extensions • Chimneys • Re-Roofing • New Builds etc For a friendly, local, reliable service and a free quotation Telephone: 07734 476855 www.newforestscaffolding.co.uk Full Liability Insurance Lychette Cottage, Roughdown, Blackfield SO45 1XG FREE ESTIMATES • 10 YEAR GUARANTEE HYTHE: office.atlaswindows@gmail.com FAX/PHONE 023 8084 0441 Unit 2, Hardley Ind Est, Southampton ESTABLISHED FOR 30 YEARS THE LOCAL WINDOW COMPANY WITH THE BIG REPUTATION SUPPLY & INSTALL • Windows • Porches • Conservatories in PVCu • Doors • Choice of Colours & Woodgrain HANDY HANDS HANDYMAN S E RV I C E S Your Local Handyman For ALL Your Small Jobs • Gutter Clearance & Clearing • PVCu Fascias, Gutters, Soffits & Conservatory Cleaning • Pressure Cleaning of Paths & Patios •Window Cleaning • Interior & Exterior Painting • Grass Cutting, Strimming • Hedge Trimming • Shed Re-treated/ Roofs Re-felted • Flat Pack Assembly Fully Insured Free Estimates Work Guaranteed References on Request T: 023 8084 0096 M: 07840 860202 Send your local news to The Editor, he Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH MOONBEAM by Robin Somes, Fawley & Blackfield Memories e photo of Edwin Rowland Moon’s aeroplane, ‘Moonbeam’, is quite well known; perhaps the story behind it is less so. My great-grandfather, eo Osborn Smith, ran his boatbuilding business from Ashlett Mill, also dabbling with all kinds of inventions and other pursuits. By 1909, he had become very interested in powered ight, and had several designs for aeroplanes and a gyroplane, as well as a patent (No. 29067 of 1909) – “Improvements in aerial machines”. When Edwin Moon sailed into Ashlett Creek in his small boat, the ‘Whisper’, looking for someone to help him build an aeroplane, he could hardly have come to a better place. Moon was frequenting the area in any case, because he was courting a Hythe girl, Isabel Madeline Waldron, whom he later married. He had been born in Southampton in 1886, and his uncle, Egbert Moon, owned the Moonbeam Engineering Co. Ltd., based in the city. e company built motor launches, marine engines and wrought iron propellers; Moon used a corner of the workshop for his own design for an aircra , known rather inevitably as the Moonbeam. Moonbeam I was built with assistance from eo Smith, and tested on Webster’s Field at Ower Farm, between Fawley Thursday. The machine is all-British made, and was built and designed by Mr Edwin Moon, of Southampton. It is a small monoplane, and contains several original ideas, one of which is in the steering arrangements, the machine being entirely controlled by one wheel. … Considering that the trials are only initial ones, they were quite as good as could be expected, though owing to the bumpy state of the ground, which was like a quagmire, the machine did not rise. … Mr. Moon hopes, however, to have another try on Monday”. is prototype informed the design of the second model, Moonbeam II. e latter made its rst successful ight from elds at North Stoneham Farm, which later became Southampton Airport. eo Smith’s interest in ight continued independently of Moon. Moon himself later ew his plane regularly from Stoneham to other air elds around the area. A er a career in the Royal Naval Air Service during the Great War, in which he was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Order, he was tragically killed in 1920 in Felixstowe, in a ying boat crash, aged only 33. His grave is still visible in Southampton Cemetery. Moonbeam I at Beaulieu Heath, January 1910. Theo Smith at right and Calshot in the summer of 1909. e testing was not particularly conclusive, its ‘ ight’ consisting of a series of short hops. Further tests took place on January 30th 1910, at Beaulieu Heath. e Hampshire Independent reported: “The first Southamptonbuilt aeroplane was tried on Beaulieu Heath on GO ALONG AND ENJOY THE FUN ACTIVITIES Brockenhurst Gateway Club is a friendly, social club for adults (16+) with learning disabilities that meets every ursday evening from 7pm to 8.45pm in term time at Brockenhurst Village Hall. ey are always looking for more volunteers and also welcome new club members. Carers are also welcome to go along. Volunteers and members do not have to commit to attend every week. ey charge £3.50 per attended session and also run a tuck shop/ café with hot and cold drinks, but are rely heavily on fundraising events and donations to keep their club open. eir forthcoming meeting takes place on Thursday 15th December for a Disco with Jason, bu et and gi s. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, they can arrange a free DBS check for you and they welcome members to go along and see what we have to o er. Please email: bgleader@ newforestmencap.org or telephone 01425 621893 and leave a message.
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