We’ve Done It! Royal Aeronautical Society Award 2009

Balfron has been awarded the 2009 Royal Aeronautical Society Heritage Award marking the fact that Elcho House/Auchendarroch in the village was the childhood home of aviation pioneers Frank and Harold Barnwell. This coincides with the celebration of the centenary of powered flight in Scotland commemorating 100 years since the Barnwell brothers’ first 80 yard (just under 75m ... less than the length of a 747 Jumbo Jet!) flight/“hop” at Causewayhead near Stirling on 28^th July 1909. 

The RAeS plaque – generously sponsored by SBAC Scotland – will be unveiled by the Scottish culture Minister Mike Russell MSP at Balfron Library precinct on Tuesday 28^th July – the actual anniversary day – at 7pm followed by a reception at the John McLintock Hall, Balfron. 

Balfron Heritage Group would like to acknowledge the impetus and initiative put into the granting of this award by Iain Gray until recently Managing Director at Airbus in the UK, leading the wing development team of the Airbus A380 Wing project ... from Frank Barnwell’s office at Filton, Bristol. He is now Chief Executive of the Government’s Technology Strategy Board and is a Past President of the Bristol Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society whose Annual Prestige lecture is named after Frank Barnwell – the Barnwell memorial lecture. Not only did Iain instigate the idea of Balfron seeking the 2009 award but he also secured sponsorship for the plaque.  

As well as being a village celebration we hope that anyone interested in marking the historic occasion of Scotland’s first powered flight will come along to the village to see the unveiling. 

The village has two public houses – The Pirn Inn and The Coachhouse – and the excellent “Saffron” restaurant for a post-unveiling drink or meal.

2009 - 2010 Talks and Events

All meetings are Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the John McLintock Hall, Balfron.

10th September 2009 - "Of Grave Concern" - monumental inscriptions in Balfron kirkyard : Pat Thomson

Friday 25th September at 2.15 from Balfron Library. Balfron History Walk - a guided walk following 'BALFRON'S LOST HISTORY TRAIL' (Please wear appropriate clothing/footwear)

8th October - (To coincide with the launch of the Michael Ferns movie "Kirk") The Rev.Robert Kirk - the 'faerie minister' : Louis Stott

12th November - "Better than a Gin & Tonic" - the history of printing in Scotland : Linda Fleming

10th December - Members' Christmas Night

11th February 2010 - "Marmalade and Mealie Puddings" - traditional Scots food : Valerie Reilly

11th March - Poorhouses of Glasgow : Alistair Ramage

9th APRIL 2010 (Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's birthday) - UNVEILING OF THE NEW COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE TO BALFRON ARCHITECT 'GREEK' THOMSON. 6pm in Balfron Library Precinct.
An Exhibition based on Thomson's life and work will run from 9th April in Balfron Library during normal opening hours.

15th April - Jules Verne and Scotland : Ian Thomson

15th May - AGM - "A Social History of Uzbek Women and Suzani Embroidery" : Noorah Al-Gailani, Curator of Islamic Civilisations - Burrell Collection

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ABOVE EVENTS CAN BE MADE TO BALFRON LIBRARY - 01360 440407 - OR BY E-MAIL TO info@balfronheritage.org.uk

PLEASE NOTE THAT MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL NOW BE £7 PER ANNUM AS PROPOSED AT THE AGM ON THURSDAY 10th SEPT.2009. THESE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM BALFRON LIBRARY.