It's panto time! Sleeping Beauty at The Everyman Theatre

Henry, Edward & Daniel assisting on stage. Edward puts the "the dame" in her place at 03:15!

A lucky escape

I feel extremely lucky to have survived this terrible car accident. I do not recall what happend at all as I sustained head injuries and facial lacerations due to my head going through the windscreen. However it appears that it was entirely my fault as I misjudged the nasty double-bend on the A46 near our cottage (between Nailsworth & Stroud). Apparently the road was closed off & I was taken by ambulance to Gloucester Royal Hospital. How many accidents have we witnessed in this place since moving here 13 years or so ago...& now me.

In addition I also suffered concussion (my head smashed into the windscreen) and severe multiple fractures to my left ankle resulting in the second of two operations under general anaesthetic (the first to clean up my face and remove all the glass).

Thanks to all the people who visited me in hospital & who sent cards - I really appreciated this during those endless, lonesome days & nights.

Luckily I was able to keep myself occupied thanks to a fellow patient lending me his 3G Mobile Dongle for my laptop.

I suffered a sever fracture on the ankle joint which resulted in a plate and nine two-inch screws...

The car, unfortunately, is a write off but I've already received the payout - more than I shelled out for it in the first place! And my protected NCB...ahhh!

My head hit the windscreen

I was cut out of the car

And because I stayed on the NHS ward, BUPA are paying me £500 (£50 a day). Crazy...

Now at home mending. Still taking the morphine and self injecting against DVT. Beginning of July will return to hospital for a check-up and then if all's well the physio starts! Don't think I'll be skiing next season though....!

We went down seven years ago!

Beech Bonanza Beached

It was seven years ago (19th May 2002) that we narrowly escaped meeting our maker a little earlier than planned! Brother Chris's cool thinking and excellence ensured that we made it though - from the big bang at 1000ft when the engine blew to ploughing into the shingle seabed at 90mph thirty seconds later.

My hazy memories consist of Chris commanding me to wedge open the door with my foot (not something one naturally wants to do high in the air!) in order to let out the smoke in the cockpit. And the call to the tower - "we're sending the emergency services...good luck to you all" being the final call. And then narrowly missing the Sunday sunbathers who, due to the lack of engine noise, were oblivious to the large lump of metal rapidly descending towards them!

Chris won the CAA General Aviation Safety Award (Tiger Moth Trophy) presented by Lord Glenarthur on 18th May 2003 at the RAF Club in London.

See the AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch) report here. 

News here  archived here

Flyer CAA Safety Awards here  archive

BBC: Plane crash pilot wins safety award here   archive

Pprune discussion here

UPDATE 2024 - See YouTube channel 'Pilot Debrief' video on Buddy Holly's death in a similar craft

Amberley Dads & Kids Trip To Dan-y-Gyrn Basecamp, Brecon May 2009

Fathers & children from Amberley Parochial School stayed at the National Trust, Dan-y-Gyrn Basecamp near Brecon, Wales. Arrived Friday evening (15th May) & walked the Brecon Beacons Saturday & Sunday before departing Sunday afternoon. A weekend packed with fun & activity was enjoyed by all.

Click HQ whilst playing for best quality video.




See the Amberley School blog also here

Please contact James Linton for originals of all photos.

Edward's Christening

Henry on his Quad

Ski Brand piccies

Click to see the rest

Chris enjoying some apres ski in Brand - Austria

Tip: Select High Quality by clicking button on right of player whilst watching