Aviation pioneer is subject of museum talk

ANOTHER Icarus - The Rise and Fall of Percy Pilcher and the Art of Flight, is the intriguing title of a talk to be hosted by Hinckley and District Museum on Thursday October 20.

Former naval officer Roy Smart will be telling the tale of aviation pioneer Percy Sinclair Pilcher, whose quest for flight ended tragically on the banks of the river Avon near Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, in 1899, and his sister Ella who was actively involved in his experimental endeavours.

Described as “the first Englishman to die in the cause of the conquest of the air” Pilcher is said to have been close to becoming the most famous name in aviation history.

Mr Smart was a Fleet Air Arm pilot and air director of many national memorial events including televised D Day, VE and VJ Day commemorations attended by the Queen and heads of state and recently contributed to BBC Radio centenary commemorations of the Battle of Jutland.

The talk will be held in the Goddard and Paget Suite of the Atkins Building on Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, starting at 7.30pm.

Admission is free to members of the friends of the museum, and nonmembers will be welcome on payment of £3 at the door.

A car park opposite the building is free to use in the evening and tea and coffee will be available.