Larry Bleaken’s bronze medal awarded by the Royal Aero Club of the UK

Larry Bleaken, the longest-standing member of the Cotswold Gliding Club at Aston Down airfield, was presented in London with the Bronze Medal of the Royal Aero Club of the UK on May 18.

Mr Bleaken was a founding member of the Club on August 1, 1964 and has flown from the Club ever since.

In 1980 when the Government of the day put the ex-RAF airfield at Aston Down up for sale by auction, Mr Bleaken was instrumental in the complicated processes and various negotiations that resulted in the Club acquiring a significant part of the airfield.

His property expertise, skills and contacts were vital in ensuring success.

In the following 36 years Mr Bleaken has been a member continuously of the five-person board of directors of the land-owning company established by the Club.

His wisdom, advice, guidance and sheer ‘nouse’ has meant that the Club owns a very significant freehold unencumbered airfield asset that provides long-term security for gliding in the Cotswolds.