The Aviator gets off to a flying start

June 19, 2007: A flypast marked the official opening of a Kent pub designed to pay tribute to the area’s unique role as the base for the pioneers of powered flight.

	l Dave Evans, piloting a 1949 Chipmunk, flies past the new Aviator pub at Queenborough, on the Isle of Sheppey

Brewer Shepherd Neame has spent £350,000 refurbishing The Aviator at Queenborough, on the Isle of Sheppey. The company acquired the property, formerly known as the Lady Hamilton, in March, and immediately closed for the major redevelopment.

The pub is themed with artefacts recalling the visit of Wilbur and Orville Wright to Leysdown in 1909, Moore-Brabazon, the first Briton to fly on English soil, the Short brothers aircraft manufacturers, the Gordon Bennett air race, the Eastchurch Naval Flying School and RAF Eastchurch.

Special guest at the opening was Air Commodore Bill Croydon CBE, the driving force behind the Flying Start project aiming at creating a heritage, educational, social and leisure venue at the former Eastchurch airfield where British airmen first flew.

The flypast was performed by pilot Dave Evans in a 1949 Chipmunk aeroplane, which took off and landed at Rochester Airport.

Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Swale, Cllr John and Mrs Ann Morris, the Mayor of Queenborough, Cllr Janet Flew, Second World War veterans from the Guinea Pig Club and representatives of tourism and redevelopment groups.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame presented a cheque for £500 to Alan Ogilvie of the Freedom Centre in Sheerness, which offers daytime social, leisure and educational facilities for people with a physical disability.

Mr Neame said: “The Aviator pays tribute to the inspiration and daring of the engineers of a century ago, whose vision and investment on the Isle of Sheppey changed the world. Our aim is for the pub to become a comfortable and welcoming pub and restaurant.

“We believe this is the largest pub investment to be made on the island. These are exciting times for the Isle of Sheppey and we’re proud to be involved in its regeneration.”

The pub now boasts a smart, stylish bar area, in-keeping with the early 20th century theme with black and white tiled floors and mirrors. The restaurant, at the rear of the pub, seats up to 70 people and offers a wide choice of dishes, including pork hock slow roasted in an apple cider gravy, chargrilled tuna served on a bed of rocket and baby spinach, and lamb kofta kebabs served in warm pitta bread with tzatziki dip. Snack options such as sandwiches and jacket potatoes are also available.

Outside, the pub has been redecorated, new signage erected and a new terraced area has been created at the front of the property. The car park has been fully landscaped and now has space for up to 60 cars.

With the forthcoming smoking ban in mind, the pub has a non-smoking policy throughout, and a covered area will be created outside for smoking customers. The redevelopment was designed with sustainability in mind, with fuel efficient boilers, low wattage LED lighting and a heat recovery system, which 'recycles' energy from warm air leaving the building, providing fresh air, better climate control and increased energy efficiency.

The Aviator will employ 20 staff, led by manager Phil Chislett, who formerly ran the White Horse & Bower in Westminster — another Shepherd Neame pub.