AN ATTEMPT at the UK rocketry altitude record will be held at Folly Gate over the weekend of April 23/24. South West Amateur Rocketry Club (SWARM) members will be launching their high-powered rockets during the weekend, some in order to obtain their safety certification. But the highlight will be the record attempts. Visitor Damian Hall, of Wirral Rocketry Society, will be attempting to break the current record and the current holders SPASE ? Some People Attempting Spase (sic) Entry ? have announced their intention to attend to defend their record. The highest verified altitude reached by a UK-built high-powered rocket or amateur rocket launched within the UK is 14,563 feet (4,413 metres), by the rocket built by the SPASE team and launched from the K-Lob launch event in Lincolnshire in September 2003. Jim Lennie, SWARM safety officer, said the ceiling set by the Civil Aviation Authority for the weekend event was 24,500 feet. ?Much higher and we would be in the jet stream and need extra permission,? he said. SPASE hope to break the 20,000ft barrier with their rocket ? SPASE-002 ? with its powerful motor imported from the USA. SWARM, the only south west rocket club, is affiliated to the UK Rocketry Association. It was set up by Felicity Lennie, who until recently lived at Folly Gate. She said her husband Jim has always been mad about astronomy but thought he was too old to go into space. Felicity had always enjoyed science at school, but was encouraged to follow a musical path instead, giving up science. They wanted to raise funds for Hospiscare by doing something different. SWARM was formed to be sure there were enough experienced people for fundraising events. It now has members from all over the south west and Wales, due to the lack of launch sites available elsewhere because of military bases and flying restrictions. ?We haven?t an altitude problem at Folly Gate? Felicity said. It is hoped to launch rockets from 10am on both days and continue until 5pm or later, but this is dependent on the weather. The altitude attempts will also be governed by the weather, with the decision being made at the time as to which day they will take place. Members of the public are welcome at the event. For more information see http://www.swarmrocketry.co.uk">www.swarmrocketry.co.uk