Pilots anniversary

100 Pilots had a fantastic day out at Buxton Road United Reformed Church to celebrate Pilots' 75th Anniversary

Thames North Pilots met at Latimer Park, Buckinghamshire for a picnic and games to celebrate 75 years of Pilots on Sunday 10^th July 2011.

Pilots from several companies met together to share in a time of fun and games in the wonderful parkland setting of Latimer Park.  After sharing in a picnic lunch, the Pilots were sorted into watches for the afternoon, and joined together in traditional “sports day” games for all ages including the egg and spoon race, the sack race and a growing relay race.  Officers and other adult leaders were not left out and formed a watch of their own to join in with the games.

More fun and games followed the sports, with the opportunity to play parachute games or use the giant games that had been brought in.  To complete the afternoon, the Pilots shared a large cake decorated in Pilots colours, complete with the Pilots badge in icing, and which was cut by the Pilots Development Officer, Karen Bulley-Morrison.

The Pilots joined together in an act of open air celebration worship to round off the afternoon.

Regional Pilots Officer, Soo Webster, commented: “This afternoon has been great with so many Pilots from across Thames North coming together to celebrate 75 years.  I’ve had a wonderful time as have the Pilots.”

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer, based in London, commented: “It is lovely to have been with Thames North Pilots for the celebrations.  Well done to Thames North Pilots!”

As part of the national celebrations of 75 years of Pilots, Broadway Pilots hosted other Pilots from the West Midlands on Friday 8th of July 2011.

Over 70 Pilots, aged between 5 and 18, along with their Officers and Captains celebrated with indoor Olympic Games and crafts at Broadway United Reformed Church.  The Pilots Organisation started in 1936, and close neighbours Brockworth Pilots started in 1958, – both Olympic years, and the reason for the Olympic theme.  Sports included ‘shove ship-halfpenny’ in recognition of the young people who raised money to buy the John Williams ships.

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the National Pilots Development Officer reminded the Pilots of the story of John Williams, with all the Pilots and Officers joining in with energetic actions.  The Pilots also enjoyed burger, hot dogs, a fantastic cake and chocolate bars that were launched in each of the decades during which Pilots has been operating.

As part of a national organisation, Broadway Pilots, joined with hundreds of other Pilots around the United Kingdom to celebrate the past and look towards the future.

Regional Pilots Officer, Mark Pickering, commented: “It's great to have been part of the 75^th Year of Pilots. We have all worked so hard in preparing for our celebrations and it is wonderful to think that we were celebrating at the same time as so many other Pilots around the country.”

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer, based in London, commented: “Broadway Pilots meet in a lovely Cotswold village setting, and it reminds me how Pilots meets a need wherever they meet.  Congratulations to West Midlands Pilots on celebrating 75 years of Pilots!”

Over 50 Pilots from the Southern Region, along with their Officers and Captains gathered together on Saturday 9 July 2011 at Hassocks URC to celebrate 75 years of Pilots.

The day started with worship and the chance to remember world and Pilots events in the past 75 years.  There were Pilots (or officers) who had been born during each of the decades that Pilots has been running (including the 1930s!).

The Pilots were separated into watches for the day, giving Pilots the chance to meet, and get to know, those from other companies, before joining in with several wide games.  After a picnic lunch, the Pilots enjoyed more activities, including puppet and banner making, cake and mug decorating, and making giant Pilots badges and a large model of the John Williams VI.

Meanwhile, for those who still had the energy, there were parachute games, football, and hide and seek outside, while for those who wanted peace and quiet there was an interactive prayer zone and a chill out zone for Voyagers and Navigators.  The day ended with more worship, before the long awaited barbeque!

The Regional Pilots Officer for Southern Region, Kirsty Middlemist, commented: “It is wonderful to see so many Pilots from across the Southern region together.  We have all a wonderful day together.”

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer, based in London, commented: “I have had an enjoyable day helping Southern Region Pilots celebrate 75 years of Pilots.  Everyone has had fun with all the activities, and it is lovely to see Pilots coming together.”

Adlington Pilots celebrated the 75th Anniversary with a sleepover at the church. The evening involved games, a movie and, of course, a party including this cake (made by a shop in the village). The following morning a very tired group of Pilots helped to lead worship in the church

The two photographs above were sent in by Peter Cole. he says: 

During a recent visit to a Pilots company as part of the Pilots 75^th Anniversary Celebrations, Karen Bulley-Morrison, met Barbara Payne and Marjorie Wallington, who were Pilots at the time of the launch and naming of the John Williams VI. 

The London Missionary Society ship was named in 1948 by Princess Margaret.  The ship stayed in Shadwell Basin after the naming, and was visited by Pilots and other young people.  Barbara Payne was a Pilot between 1943 and 1950, and following her visit to the John Williams VI, wrote an account of the trip for her journal which was recently re-discovered when the Pilots Company were preparing for their celebration service.  Her first hand account is reproduced below.

John Williams VI

Our visit to see the new ship John Williams VI (1948)

May she sail for many years in the Pacific,

Flying her flag of peace,

And carrying the Christian message of friendship and goodwill.

For our Sunday School outing this year, the teachers’ arranged an excursion to Shadwell Basin to see the new ship, John Williams VI.

We were accompanied by a number of parents and friends.  We started from Chesham Broadway at 1.06pm, and caught a train from Amersham Station to Baker Street.  We caught a number 23 bus to Commercial Street, and walked to Shadwell Basin, it was rather dirty near the docks.

We were all thrilled and excited when we first glanced at the ship.

While we were waiting, Mrs Town’s kindly took a photograph of us all by the ship.

At last it was our turn and we walked up the gangway, and on board the ship.  We went down some steps and into the hold, people were selling books and little articles connected with the ship, to help collect some money to pay for it.  We went up some steps and waited in a queue to see the cabins and other departments.

While we were waiting some cargo boats and a large ship went by.

There was a lovely cabin for two missionaries equipped with a hand basin and two beds.

We all took a quick glance in the saloon, where Princess Margaret recently unveiled a tablet commemorating the launching of the ship.

Up some more steps and on deck again, up another flight of steps, and on the captain’s bridge.

The scholars and Pilots contributed 20 pounds towards the new ship, the secretary of the London Missionary Society, received the money, and congratulated us on our efforts towards the funds.

The ship is not very big according to other ships, but it has to go round the islands taking food and missionaries.  The principal work of the missionary ship is the visitation of the Ellis and Gilbert Islands.

We left the ship and commenced our journey home about 5.30pm, and arrived in Chesham Broadway about 8 o’clock.  Late and very hungry, we had a good supper in the schoolroom, which we all very much enjoyed.

Our thanks are due to the teachers and friends, who arranged the outing to see the new ship.  And so ended our enjoyable trip to the ship, John Williams VI.

Barbara Payne commented: “It all seems a long time ago now, and although we learnt a lot as Pilots in 1948, it sounds as though they have a whole lot more fun these days!  It is lovely to see Pilots still going after all these years.”

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer, based in London, commented: “Meeting people who were Pilots in their younger days really brings the history of Pilots to life.  I encourage any former Pilots who have memories they wish to share with today’s Pilots, to write to me at the Pilots Desk.”

As part of the national celebrations of 75 years of Pilots, South West Pilots held their Pilots fun day on Saturday 2^nd July 2011.

Pilots, aged between 5 and 18, along with their Officers and Captains gathered together for their celebration fun day between 10am and 4pm at Derriford United Reformed Church, Plymouth.  They were joined for their celebrations by Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer from United Reformed Church House, London. 

On a hot sunny day, the Pilots enjoyed plenty of games and sports, the opportunity to be “Derriford’s Strongest Pilot” and to take part in crafts.  The afternoon concluded with short celebration worship before a traditional birthday tea.  In the past few weeks, Pilots have been on a voyage of discovery, learning about what life was like for children and young people growing up through the decades since Pilots started in 1936.  As part of a national organisation, South Western Pilots, are joining with hundreds of other Pilots around the United Kingdom to celebrate and look towards the future.

Regional Pilots Officer for the South Western Region, Helen Nixon, commented:  “We have had a brilliant day of fun celebrating 75 years of Pilots in the sunshine today and we are looking forward to our celebration service on Sunday. Pilots has had a long history in the South West, and we are looking forward to growing Pilots in the future.”

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer, based in London, commented: “I would like to congratulate South West Pilots on being part of our 75^th Anniversary Celebrations and I wish them success as we all journey towards the next 75 years.”

As part of the national celebrations of 75 years of Pilots, Chesham Pilots held a service of celebration and re-dedication on Sunday 3^rd July 2011.

Pilots, aged between 5 and 18, along with their Officers and Captain gathered together to celebrate 75 years of Pilots, and 18 years of Pilots in Chesham.  Pilots Development Officer, Karen Bulley-Morrison, who started Chesham Pilots in 1993, joined Chesham Pilots during their celebration worship to lead the re-dedication of the Pilots Company.

During the service of re-dedication, the Pilots, Officers and Captain reconfirmed their promise to “learn, serve and pray, all they can, with the world wide church of Jesus Christ”. The whole church family joined together for the service and reiterated their commitment to the Pilots Company. The congregation included church members who had been Pilots during the 1940s who brought the history of Pilots alive with their memories of Pilots at that time.  In the past few weeks, Pilots have been on a voyage of discovery, learning about what life was like for children and young people growing up through the decades since Pilots started in 1936.

Captain of Chesham Pilots, Margaret Irvine, commented:  “It is wonderful to have Pilots of all ages, including our present Pilots and those who were Pilots in the 1940s all together.  It is also a joy to have Karen, who started Pilots in Chesham 18 years ago, with us to lead our re-dedication.  We are filled with hope for the next 75 years!”

Karen Bulley-Morrison, the Pilots Development Officer, based in London, commented: “It is always a joy to visit Companies, and particularly so to join with Chesham for their service of re-dedication after 18 years.”