We had just completed our Area Famil' written exam in the training section at EGCC and saw the aircraft depart from R/W 06.
I stayed at The Airport Hotel (on Ringway Rd), as an ATCO cadet in 1979-81 and had the pleasure of meeting Red Whelan, who was a regular guest.
Dot and Reg, who were our wonderful hosts at 'The APH' were devastated by the loss of that flight.
I believe that one of my course-mates was on a 'fam' flight on a Beatours 707 which was following DA1008.