Glider pilot grandmother to release her memoirs

Mary Meagher, who now lives in Oxford but is a member of Shenington Gliding Club, has written Gliding Granny on Final Approach detailing her life as a glider pilot.

Mrs Meagher took up gliding at the age of 50 following a divorce and her children growing up and leaving home.

She become a foster parent to five children and after seeing aircraft flying over the M40 on the way to London, decided to go for a ride in a glider at Booker Gliding Club, near Marlow. She said: At the first trip over the hedge I was hooked, joined the gliding club and learned to fly, while the kids were in school.”

She later became an instructor and has competed internationally, representing Great Britain in the Women’s European Championships in the Soviet Union in 1989.

She grew up in the United States and moved to Devon with her first husband. She is also a keen painter.

Joining Shenington Gliding Club, Mrs Meagher met her second husband Henry Whitrow.

The club is holding a nine-day regional competition from June 25. She will also be signing copies of her book at the Shutford Summer Festival on June 18. You will be able to purchase her book from www.bgashop.co.uk.