Those Magnificent Men

Another event, another weekend - weather-wise - very much in keeping with this rotten, horrible summer we’ve had so far. Maybe we are set fair for an Indian Summer in September, who knows? This weekend found me at AVRO Heritage Museum in Woodford, Cheshire, a regular booking in my diary, and the location of a dedicated 1940s Weekend in September. As the old joke goes, it only rained twice – all day Saturday and all day Sunday!

Well, not quite. The sun did put in the odd appearance across both days, but it was mostly cloudy. Despite that, we still got to enjoy a spectacular flyover each day. With the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights grounded since the tragic accident that claimed the life of an RAF pilot in May, there was no Lancaster or Spitfire this year. Instead it was all down to an AVRO Anson to thrill the visitors to the Museum’s ‘Wings & Wheels’ annual event. It didn’t disappoint, flying low enough for the crowds, as is traditional, to wave to the pilot, as the plane complete four passes over the event, before flying back to its base in Shropshire – a display it did once on Saturday, before bad weather scuppered a later second appearance. Although the weather was even worse on the Sunday, it relented just long enough to complete the scheduled two flyovers.

As well as a Spitfire on display, and various flying exhibits in the Vulcan Park, there is (as the name suggests) a static Vulcan on display. This weekend it also served as a very welcome shelter when the heavens opened, as it seemed to do so at regular intervals. Using my brand new gazebo for the second time this year, not only did I have my own personal shelter but between my sets, I was kept as snug as the proverbial bug in a rug. A shelter from the hot sun just three weeks ago at Catterick Garrison, here it was dry, warm and cosy, with the temperatures unseasonally low still. On the other side of the site was an impressive display of ‘wheels’ - vintage vehicles of all descriptions. But it’s the museum itself, with thousands of exhibits and photographs forming a history of the AVRO company, that is well worth visiting in itself for anyone with even a passing interest in aviation. Allow plenty of time, though. It’s a truly magnificent museum, and you can even take a simulated flight.

Relaxing inside the gazebo just after my final set of the day, and with a little encouragement from Mum, a delightful little girl who told me her name was Ada, came up to me and told me that she had really enjoyed my singing, and that I was amazing. I’m sure she had probably never heard a single one of those songs before, so I hope it was my performance, under the Vulcan and in the middle of the audience, that had impressed her the most. Either way, it’s always important to accept compliments with good grace and a thank you. Not wanting to miss out, Ada’s two friends joined her – and with the simple pleasure of young children were delighted when I gave each of them a small hand flag. The three then kindly posed with yours truly, while proud mums took photos. And that really sums up the AVRO ‘Wings & Wheels’ festival – a great family day out, with lots to look at and lots to do. Oh and between yours truly and the different band on each day, plenty to listen to as well.