How did the club start?
Early in 1970 it was suggested that Normans Park in Bromley might be available for model flying. This came about mainly through the efforts of Dick Langridge who was a modeller and a employee of the council. After discussion with the council a demonstration of model flying was performed for council officials by John Veasey, Laurie Murton and Tony Lunt.
In anticipation of getting permission the club was formed. The name was chosen because 'Bromley' there were already two clubs using this name, so as Dick Langridge lived in Bickley, the name was born.
In June 1970 the Bromley Borough Recreation committee gave permission for the Bickley club to fly in Normans Park on two evenings a week and Sunday mornings for a experimental period until September 1971.
The general reaction of the park users was good but, unfortunately, the council later decided that they wished to stop model flying in a public park. With BMFA support, electric and control line flying are still permitted to this day!
To allow for all model disciplines, the club started to search for another flying site. After knocking on lots of doors in the area another field off Cudham Lane was obtained. Flying here continued until 1979 followed by a brief period at Hockenden Farm.
Our present site at Sutton-at-Hone is located at the end of a metalled road cut short by the building of the M25 motorway. This site can comfortably accommodate the current generation of impressive models.
What Bickley MFC has become
Bickley Model Flying Club has now been in existence now for nearly 40 years. Its current 150 members fly all types of radio controlled aircraft and helicopters from electric gliders to jets and members have been successful in both national and international competition. Many are also heavily involved in the show circuit.
Bickley has one of the best facilities in the South East which enables it to hold a series of invitation events throughout the year. See the location section for an aerial shot of the patch, and see the events section for more details on which events Bickley offers throughout the year.