Speculation is increasing as to just where this year's National Championships will be held.

The BMFA National Championships regularly take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, at their usual home, on the RAF base at Barkston Heath near Grantham in Lincolnshire.

This year however, speculation is rising because, we understand, that the RAF have informed the BMFA that building work will be underway during the summer and that the RAF cannot guarantee that the airfield will be available on the required dates.

Several years ago, the RAF undertook resurfacing of the main runways at Barkston Heath. This meant that the BMFA Nationals had to relocate for two years to Fairford in Gloucestershire. Two of the wettest, windiest Nationals on record!

This year though, it is our understanding that the work to be carried out is the construction of a new main entrance to the Barkston site with associated ancillary buildings. The new gatehouse is being located on the main road just south of the gate we use as the 'Day Entrance'. The conflict appears to be, that the RAF cannot guarantee the hand over the site to the BMFA for the 'Nats' weekend until building contractors have left the airfield. They believe this would not be until late on the Friday afternoon. This would leave the BMFA little time to set up tents and marques for the competition flight lines and traders and camping facilities etc.

In our opinion though, builders would not be working late on a Friday, especially with a bank holiday weekend imminent!

However, we understand that the BMFA are in discussion with the RAF on this matter. Rumours are already circulating that the 'Nats' will once again return to Fairford. And in light of previous years' wet experience, this move is being held in some trepidation in some quarters! Ominously, the BMFA web site still has the 'Nats' venue listed as 'Provisional' in their calendar listings!

But, whatever the choice of venue can we urge the BMFA to make the decision soon, and announce to the membership exactly where this year's 'Nats' are going to be held. Many spectators and competitors have arrangements to make that cannot be left until the last minute, as indeed the BMFA arrangements take time to organise.

In the meantime, if we hear of any more developments, then you will see it here first!

Peter Dennis
Flying Sites Editor.