THE 93-YEAR-OLD president of a gliding club has taken to the skies to mark its 75th anniversary.

Yorkshire Gliding Club, based at Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, was established on April 21, 1934.

President Moyra Johnson, who first flew from the site in 1935, celebrated the club’s achievement by taking to the skies as a glider passenger last weekend.

She said: “I was 20 when I got my glider’s licence, and I was so competitive I didn’t want to be beaten by the boys.

“I can still fly in twoseaters now, and I still get a thrill out of it.”

Flying has taken place at Sutton Bank since the turn of the 19th Century, but only began to flourish when the club was founded.

The club is planning a series of events, including a scheme to get 75 youngsters in gliders this year.

Club chairman Graham Evison said: “It is a major achievement, and what we are trying to do now is to get as many people interested in gliding as we can. It’s not an elitist sport, and one of the problems we have is that people think it is.

“We currently have about 175 members who come from various backgrounds.”

Anyone interested in trying out gliding can get details by going to ygc.co.uk