by Tricia Jamieson
tjamieson@thekmgroup.co.uk

There was plenty of catching up to do when former employees of Skyways Coach-Air held a reunion.
Around 50 people attended the get-together at the Stade Court Hotel in Hythe.
The highlight of the day was a trip to the former Lympne airfield, which closed in the 1970s and from where Skyways flew passengers mainly to Beauvais in France en route to Paris.
Event organiser Dick Gilbert said there were people present who had not seen each other for 40 years.
“There was a lot of catching up to do and a lot of reminiscing,” said Mr Gilbert, who worked in the operations and traffic departments.
“People brought along old pictures and other memorabilia which we displayed in the hotel. It is amazing what some people kept.”
Skyways passengers used to be bussed to Lympne airfield from Victoria coach station in London.
The last roadworthy East Kent bus used on the route was brought out of retirement on Saturday to take those at the reunion to the former airfield.
“There is not much left at the airfield now,” said Mr Gilbert. “After the visit we adjourned to the County Members pub, which was a favourite haunt of staff, before returning to the Stade Court for more reminisences.”
He thanked the Kentish Express for publicising the reunion.
“Many of the staff were local and have stayed in the area so saw the story,” he said. “Without the paper’s help we could not have notified as many people.”
The last reunion was 14 years ago but Mr Gilbert is not planning another just yet.
“This was all about the people and it was definitely worth it,” he said. “It is easier for people to stay in touch now through the internet and many were exchanging emails.”
Skyways flew out of Lympne from the late 1950s to the 1970s when the company was taken over by Dan-Air.
Operations were moved to Lydd, and Lympne – renamed Ashford Airport in 1969 – closed soon afterwards.