In 1898 Marchese Marconi and his assistant George Kemp established
wireless communication with Rathlin Island and to recall this historic
occasion Ballymoney M.F.C. decided to fly a radio controlled model from
Ballycastle to Rathlin Island, land, refuel and take off again from Rathlin
landing on the road outside Marconi cottage.The event was arranged for
The 12th August 2006 and would be in support of the RNLI, to this end
three pilots and a boat would be required, Alan Wilson of
Aquasport-Rathlin Fast Ferries provided the boat and the pilots would be
Andrew Wallace taking off from Ballycastle handing over to Robert Wallace
who would fly the model from the boat across Rathlin Sound where
Stanley McKeown would land it on Rathlin Refuel and send it up again
for Robert to return it to the mainland where Andrew would land the model
outside Marconi cottage. The day arrived and all went according to plan
the RNLI also sent the inshore lifeboat and the severn class Katie Hannan
arrived from Portrush to support the event.
A static model display was arranged and sponsorship forms and collection
boxes distributed to raise money for the RNLI. We are delighted to have
done this event in support of the RNLI who risk their own lives to save
others in peril on the sea.
We were delighted with the support we received from all the other model
clubs and we recognized lots of modellers in the crowd, the BMFA Area
Chairman Howard Menary arrived and we sent him to Rathlin along with
Robert and the UTV cameraman so we hope the event will be on TV soon.
A great deal of work went into this event far more than one would imagine
and we would like to Thank everyone involved in any way at all.
I leave you with the words Of Angela Gardiner (The Bard of Ballymena)
who penned this ode for the event.
The Flight
As I soar o’re Rathlin Sound
O’re shipwrecks that below abound
Think of the dangers facing those at sea
And give thanks to the lifeboat crews that be.

Boat in distress! They set sail
Through seas whipped up by the gale
Search till that boats crew is found
And only then are they homeward bound.

This flight should help in some small way
the Lifeboat it’s bills to pay
so be generous and give a pound
And lets hope your boat never runs aground.

.