When Distinguished Guests Came by Helicopter to Party at Ripley’s Dunsborough Park

Published on: 28 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 30 Mar, 2026

By Mark Coxhead with David Rose

From 1956 to 1973, Ripley hosted its own unique air display, akin to the Farnborough Airshow, with annual helicopter garden parties held in the grounds of Dunsborough Park.

Florence Desmond. Photo Wikimedia Commons.

These events were organised by Dunsborough Park’s owners, Charles Hughesdon, an avid helicopter enthusiast, and his actress wife, Florence Desmond.

Initially starting as a modest gathering with 10 helicopters, the parties grew considerably over the years.

By the final event, the garden party featured 40 helicopters from various sources, including all three military services, commercial airlines and private individuals.

These annual events attracted distinguished guests, primarily from the aeronautical industry, as well as from military, diplomatic, theatrical and royal circles. Notably, there was a significant royal attendance in 1973.

The Woking News & Mail reported the parties, from which the following details can be revealed.

The first helicopter garden party took place on July 7, 1956. Approximately 250 guests enjoyed the festivities with notable attendees including Lord and Lady Douglas of Kirtleside, Richard Fairey of Fairey Aviation, Donald Campbell, Lord Hore-Belisha, Charles Clore, Sir John Wenham, Mr and Mrs Walter Neill, and Tyrone Power.

The 1957 event was even more spectacular, with arrivals including Richard Fairey in his private helicopter, Lord Brabazon, Lord Douglas and Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Courtney. Approximately 400 guests arrived, some by motor car.

The Woking News & Mail noted Charles Hughesdon ensured his racehorses were safely fenced in at the venue due to the landing proximity. And Miss Desmond, affectionately known as “Dezzy,” remarked on the event’s success, indicating plans to make it an annual affair.

The party in June 1958 attracted more than 200 guests and a dozen helicopters.

Mr Hughesdon then flew in his helicopter to Kempton Park to watch from a great height his horse, Prefairy, in the 3.30pm race. The horse was placed fourth.

Notable guests included Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, Sir Frederick Handley Page, Richard Fairey, Donald Campbell and Squadron Leader Neville Duke.

XG503 Bristol type 171 Sycamore HR4 retired from active duty 1964 continued to be used at the Central Flying School until mid 1966. Photo courtesy of David Greenman, dating to the mid-1960s.

The first helicopter to land was an RAF Sycamore.

Additionally, a Fairey Ultra-Light helicopter arrived on the back of a lorry, although it did not participate in the flying.

At four o’clock, there was a fly-past by the new Fairey Rotodyne helicopter, making its second public appearance.

The 11F (Brooklands) Squadron A.T.C. assisted in marshalling the helicopters and guests enjoyed a buffet tea on the lawn.

XR517 Westland Wessex HC.2 Used by the Royal Air Force for search and rescue, troop transport and supporting security forces. Photo dating to the mid-1960s, courtesy of David Greenman.

In the 1960s David Greenman was a Cadet/NCO in 11F Brooklands Squadron, Send Flight, Air Training Corps.

He confirms that Florence Desmond asked if the cadets could help to marshal at her helicopter garden parties.

He recalls: “Send Flight, being the local branch of 11F, took on the task. We worked with the flight controllers from Wisley Airfield, who controlled the landing sequence for each approaching helicopter.

“The flight controllers would arrive in a Morris Minor Traveller with the radio transmitter/receiver in the back and a external antenna on a stand.

“We also worked with Sergeant Lock from Ripley police station, manning the entrance gate to ensure that only those with invitations, who were not flying in, were allowed to enter.

The Ken Wallis Autogyro. The trees in the background are those he banked around while flying into the garden party. Photo courtesy of David Greenman.

“The one arrival I vividly remember is that of Wing Commander Ken Wallis, flying one of his Autogyros, which he had developed and were built by Beagle Aircraft.

“On being given clearance to land, he flew in from the west and banked round the trees to the north and landed, it was quite impressive.

“It is not a surprise that he flew one of his WA-116 Autogyros in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, as the stunt pilot for Sean Connery.”

In 1964, American oil baron Paul Getty was an honoured guest, who no doubt travelled by car from his nearby home at Sutton Place.

XP165 Westland Scout AH.1. It served in the RAF Test Pilots School and the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Photo dating to the mid-1960s, courtesy of David Greenman.

At the 1969 helicopter party notable guests included members of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Helicopter Club of Great Britain and the US Air Force.

Miss Gay Absalom arrived in a helicopter belonging to Point Helicopters Ltd, piloted by her father.

She had just made history as the first woman to obtain a commercial helicopter license.

Charles Hughesdon had taken delivery of a new Jetranger 206A helicopter at £50,000 (£712,917 today), flown in by Alan Bristow of Bristow Helicopters Ltd.

According to the Woking News & Mail, the most distinctive helicopter was the US Air Force Kaman HH-43B Huskie, characterised by its contra-rotating rotors. These rotors were slightly offset to each side and synchronised to spin in each other’s path without colliding.

G-ASHD Brantly B. 2A, Owned by Pontins Holiday Camps Ltd and manufactured in 1963. Its final flight was, however, in February 1967 whilst filming a catamaran on the River Colne it crashed into the river. Photo dating to the mid-1960s, courtesy of David Greenman.

At the 1970 helicopter garden party there were nearly 30 helicopters and Bristow Helicopters provided “joy rides” for guests.

The Woking News & Mail reported that “the sunny weather and bustling refreshment marquee contributed to the event’s continued success”.

Attendees included Sir Geoffrey Tuttle, director and vice-chairman of BAC Weybridge, and two guests from the Brazilian Navy.

G-APNR Hiller UH-12E Owned by British United Airways. Photo dating to the mid-1960s, courtesy of David Greenman.

The 1971 garden party featured nearly 30 helicopters, including 14 from the RAF, Army Air Corps and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.

Despite dull weather, guests enjoyed tea on the lawn and had the opportunity to explore the helicopters and once again climb inside a RAF Whirlwind.

Several hundred guests arrived by air or road for the party in 1972.

Despite the absence of the Duke of Edinburgh, due to the death of the Duke of Windsor, there 44 helicopters, including 24 service craft from the Royal Air Force, Naval Air Command and the Army Air Corps, as well as a “do-it-yourself” helicopter from County Durham.

Notable visitors included the Earl of Mulgrave; Air Marshal Harry Burton and Lady Burton; the Spanish Ambassador, Don Jaime del Pino and his wife; the Lebanese ambassador Nimr Dibibian and his wife; Lady Docker; Tommy Sopwith and his wife; Air Marshal D.E. Crowley-Milling and his wife; Mr and Mrs Jack Hawkins and Shirley Bassey.

In 1973, about 30 students from the universities of Surrey and Reading staged a protest outside Dunsborough Park against the Duke of Edinburgh’s forthcoming controversial visit to Portugal.

The Woking News & Mail reported “that despite their vigorous campaign, the students did not encounter Prince Philip, who arrived with Prince Andrew (13) and Prince Edward (9) by helicopter from the Queen’s Flight piloted by himself. Prince Philip, a keen helicopter pilot, then toured the helicopter displays”.

Among the distinguished guests were actor John Mills and war hero Douglas Bader.

No records can be found of events since 1973 and it is assumed this was the grand finale.

Thanks go to David Greeman for his memories and photos seen in this story, and special thanks to the Send & Ripley History Society for asking Mr Greenman on our behalf.

At the society’s Ripley Museum the current exhibition is titled Dessie and Dunsborough.

It highlights the career of Florence Desmond, the actress and cabaret star, who lived with her husband Charles Hughesdon at Dunsborough Park.

Picture postcard view of the house at Dunsborough Park.

And looks at the history of the house, which is over 400 years old and its various owners.

The gardens too have been of significance, particularly during the tenure of the current owners, Baron Dolf and Baroness Caroline Sweerts de Landas Wyborgh, who instituted its tulip festival.

The museum in the High Street, adjacent to the village hall, is run by Send & Ripley History Society, and is open on Saturdays from 10am to noon, or by appointment, phoning Clare McCann on 01483 728546.

The exhibition runs until the end of April and is well worth a visit.