Wash the car? The heavens will open

The article about forecasting the weather using radar brought back memories for me. Years ago, I was in charge of the civil aviation radar station on a beautiful sunny, cloudless day on top of St Boniface Down above Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Our radar was not only good at tracking aircraft, but also spotted any rain falling within its range. A new member of the team, Terry, had been posted from Liverpool and his car showed signs of the journey. he asked if I would let him do a clean-up job on it. ‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘But beware of making it rain!’ If you wash your car, you’ll make it rain is a local belief on the Island. Terry was astounded. he accused me of sneaking a look at the radar display and went into the Ops Room to check it for himself. ‘Not a sign of rain anywhere,’ he said confidently when he came back. ‘OK, go ahead, but it will be raining by 4pm if you wash that filthy car of yours. I’ll wager half a crown.’ ‘You’re on,’ grinned Terry and went off to find a bucket. True to Island form, by 4pm it was tipping it down! I won the bet and Terry never did work out how the miracle had come about. John Langley C Eng MIET,

Newport, Isle of Wight.