Interim Report of the Sir George Dowty Memorial Committee

In the week that commemorates the 31st anniversary of the launch of the TI bid for the Dowty Group shown below is an Interim Report of the activities of the Sir George Dowty Memorial Committee.

July 1st Cotswold Airport

Dowty related personnel have been allocated 200 places which represents about 40% of the total attending and virtually all places have been taken. This is probably the largest Dowty gathering since the business was acquired in1992.

Complimenting the 1.45 pm flypast of a ……. there is to be a helicopter feature. Mr Stewart Davies, who kindly provided the Cadillac for the Dowty Reunion , has arranged for 3 Hughes helicopters to attend. These will descend in the same manner as those in the James Bond films- one of these was used in such a film- and the MOD have arranged for Dowty personnel to view and picture this remarkable sight.

Mr Peter Cryws will be playing an organ as part of a Second World War singalong- he has chosen 4 appropriate songs.

There are to be Dowty products, literature and memorabilia on display in a tent dedicated to the Second World War . These will be displayed under a banner which reads Sir George Dowty Flying High.

It is hoped to have descendants of each Dowty Chairman photographed – this will be a picture for posterity.

We will issue further details of the day-including parking arrangements- nearer the time.

Pershore Abbey

Sir George is buried at Pershore Abbey alongside his twin brother.

When current works in the Abbey are completed a Dowty Organ Recital evening is planned – Sir George’s twin brother was a renowned Church organist.

The organ and Altar Rails at the Abbey were provided by the Dowty family.

Literature

The current edition of the Battle of Britain History Society magazine – Scramble 1940- has a feature detailing the contribution that Dowty products made in the Battle of Britain and a profile of Sir George.

Forthcoming booklets issued by Pershore Abbey and the Vale of Evesham History Society will have Dowty features.

The current edition of the Daimler magazine features the first Dowty Chairman’s Daimler- which had the same engine as a London bus!

The Committee will shortly be releasing a Paper entitled Dowty Mining authored by John Whitaker. This paper charts the history of the Dowty Mining Division and follows on from the widely acclaimed Battle of Britain paper. Circulation of this paper will be widespread particularly in the USA.

Statue

The Committee will shortly be commencing plans to erect a statute to Sir George in a prominent place in Cheltenham.

Martin Robins

Chairman of the Sir George Dowty Memorial Committee