Les Sparkes, a long time member of BARCS and the Fairlop club, died on the 25th June, 2003 in the St Joseph's Hospice in East London.
Over the last twenty years or so, Les was a familiar sight at all the comps as a member of the once formidable Fairlop crowd who used to enter all the comps. There used to be around ten or twelve who would come along , particularly to the majors such as Radioglide and Interglide. It was at these comps that I first noticed Les. He was a little more senior in years than his Fairlop colleagues and he was obviously highly respected by his colleagues, not only as an accomplished aeromodeller and builder but also for his telling contribution as a 'talk-man'.
In those days, all transmitters were handed in and retained at Tx Control, only released to the competitors timekeeper at the beginning of each slot. It was when CD'ing at comps that I first fell into conversation with Les. He was the competitor who appeared to have a bad leg or a slight limp and hence was usually given extra time to get to the flight-line. What impressed from the outset was his irrepressible humour freely expressd no matter what the weather or how well or badly he was doing in the comp. Les clearly felt the going was tough particularly on some of the rougher flying fields but so evidently enjoyed his flying and being part of the whole event that I never ever heard him complaining, even when he took a tumble at the Middle Wallop Radioglide necessitating quite lengthy treatment thereafter.
Given his increasing mobility problems he of all the contestants would have had grounds to become a little on the tetchy side, as many of the younger and able-bodied often did, but never Les. Because of his sociable style and clear flying skills, I thought he would be a good man to have on the BARCS committee and so in the mid 90's he succumbed to my entreaties and took on the Merchandising role. This he did ably and conscientiously for well over five years until his diminishing health forced him to give it up. Les was always one to rely on; he looked after the merchandising at many of the Sandown and M.E. events often at considerable inconvenience to himself.
He was also self-effacing, when really he had so much common-sense and soaring 'nous' that I always tried to jolly him out of his self-deprecating ways. I always sought Les' advice on BARCS matters, particularly during times of difficulty or uncertainty and his advice was always well thought out and much appreciated. He was a very able flier and used his superbly built machines to great advantage. A very good clubmate of Les, Pete Mitchell, reminded me that Les flew power for many years, often in the company of that other legendary Fairlop builder of great models, George Chastell. They both joined BARCS in the great heydays of the mid eighties and Les soon made his mark in the Opens as well as the Postals at which he always did well.
As Les' health deteriorated he took increasingly to using a walking stick, and the sight of him ambling about the flying field, willing to help all around him, was a sight I shall long remember. In those gaps in the flying, we had many interesting discussions about life, flying, ailments and suchlike and invariably we ended with concluding what understanding and supportive wives we had given the hobby we enjoyed and the time it took out of our domestic lives.
The last time Les appeared in a BARCS comp was last September at High Wycombe and how fitting it was that he conclusively won the pre-flyoff rounds. He was delighted to win, but was so fatigued by the end of that afternoon that he could not take his rightful place in the fly-off. The doctors had already advised Les to give up the flying some time previous to this, so how fitting that he should sign off with such a flourish. Les was fully supported in his declining months by his much loved wife, Wynn, and by his close and loving immediate family, some of whom I met when visiting him in hospital.
Les was one those people you meet in life who leave you always feeling more cheerful and upbeat about life invariably after sharing a laugh about the absurdities and worries with which we are often afflicted. He was easy to get to know, easy to talk to and a delight to share the flying with. I feel his loss deeply and every time I go to a comp I will look out for him and feel that pang when I remember that he is no longer with us.
I know his clubmates will feel his loss even more deeply, but at a time like this we should send all our thoughts to his wife, Wynn, and to his family, for whom his untimely early death must be grievously hard to bear.
Chris Moynihan
29th June, 2003