The Coventry Flying and Country Club

The Coventry Flying and Country Club

By Pete Clemons

Baginton village, on the southern border of Coventry, is well known locally for its Air Museum, the Lunt Roman Fort, and the 500 year old oak tree that stands proudly on the Coventry Road. In the Mill and the Oak, Baginton also has a couple of decent pubs.

You may not think so now but this village, with a population of around 900, once played a small but significant part in Coventry’s out of town entertainment. And, for a short while, was the ‘must go’ place to be. The early 1960s saw Baginton, or to be more precise the airport, play host to what was billed as the biggest 'twang' in the Midlands.

Baginton airport opened in 1935 and played a significant role during the Second World War when it played host to a squadron of the Polish air force.

The main entrance to the airport was via the Coventry Road / Stoneleigh Road and it had its own flying club, which was essentially a couple of old converted prefabricated huts.

The Astra Club, located in the flying club opened during November 1962. It all began auspiciously enough with regular Sunday sessions in the company of the Norman Allen Broadcasting Quintet who supplied the latest in song and rhythm. The club also had a roulette and baccarat table. But no sooner had 1963 dawned the Astra Club would soon become recognisable by it's more familiar name of the Coventry Flying and Country Club.

Back in 1962 the venue would not have been easy to get to. You either had a long walk or, as many youngsters were doing, you needed to get yourself a car or motorcycle.

All started well enough. By early 1963 'Planets Twist Club' had located to the venue and had regular sessions with Ricky Dawson and the Millionaires. And by mid 1963 Friars Promotions were involved and were providing entertainment for Wednesday and Thursday evenings as well as the weekend ahead. Sessions were from 8pm till midnight with two top groups at each session. Additionally there was the music of Johnny Kinghorn in the clubs restaurant from 11pm till 1am.

The Flying Club also attracted artists the calibre of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages, who apparently demolished the stage, and The Swinging Blue Jeans amongst many others. Apparently the Flying Club had many wild nights.

During March 1964 the airport had a weekend of pleasure flights and a selection of the city's recording artists were flying high on the Sunday morning. The Matadors, The Echo four and Johnny B Great and the Goodmen were among those, not only plying their talents over that weekend, but were also on those flights.

Drummer Nigel Lomas remembers the venue well. ' During 1963 and 1964 I played there on several occasions with Johnny B Great and the Goodmen often sharing the bill with the likes of Marty Wilde,Screaming Lord Sutch, Denny Laine and the Diplomats, Carl Wayne and the Vikings, Keith Powell and the Valets. Also several Coventry area bands who followed us in the professional world, including The Matadors,The Mighty Avengers, The Sorrows, Tony Martin and the Echo Four, The Beat Preachers plus a host of semi-pro local bands. It was a great live music venue and always seemed to be packed when we were on,I assume it was for the rest'.

The venue was licensed till 1am and had increased it's gaming facilities till 3am each night. Add to that it's rural location and I think there lies a few clue's as to why the club disappeared as quickly as it had appeared in terms of being a major entertainment venue.

By June 1964, under two years after it had first opened its doors, the Astra Club had reverted back to being another, more sleepy, run of the mill club. And gradually, went into a slow tail spin as the attraction of the venue grew less and less popular.

During the short time in existed as a music venue the flying club certainly left its mark as, whoever you speak to that attended the place, clearly has fond memories of the it.