Spitfire flypast stuns crowds at 1940s weekend
CROWDS at a 1940s weekend were wowed when a Spitfire roared across the sky in a rare flypast.
The stunning moment yesterday was the highlight of the nostalgic event held in Heywood.
Large crowds gathered to watch as the iconic Second World War fighter plane thundered above them before turning to fly back over their heads and away.
Mel Caffrey, one of the organiser, said: “It got pretty low and was very impressive to see.”
It’s understood the Mk5 Spitfire took off from RAF Coningsby and arrived over Heywood from County Durham, before flying down to Wales via Hawarden Airport in Flintshire.
The plane is part of The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF’s tribute to the aviators of the Second World War, which also includes a Dakota, a Hurricane and a Lancaster bomber.
The clock was turned back to wartime Britain for the seventh annual weekend, which attracted many hundreds of people in the sunshine.
Many dressed in period clothing and the town centre was decked out with stalls, sideshows and street artists – all in typical 40s fashion.
A Winston Churchill lookalike, complete with cigar and signature Homburg hat, took to the stage to give a speech and a re-enactment of the evacuation process also featured as ‘evacuees’ left Heywood station on the East Lancashire Railway in the morning.
A convoy of military vehicles also toured the streets, including replica tanks and steam engines, and another highlight was a huge parade.
A service of remembrance was also held in Heywood Memorial Gardens to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War and honour all who fell in war.
The weekend was organised by Heywood Business Group with support from Heywood Township. Mel added: “The whole of Heywood always fully supports the event and we do not think we could of got anymore people into the town centre. It was excellent.”