One embarrassed clergyman
He used the PA to give an excellent potted history of the Dakota, and explained that it was flown by the BBMF. Then told people to get their cameras ready.
Two years in the planning, the golden jubilee celebrations of the church included a summer fair this afternoon, and since the parish priest is (was?) very pro-RAF (and somewhat pro-forces in general), the Air Cadets had been invited, and bids had been put in to the Reds and the BBMF. Great anticipation followed the news that a Dakota would visit, and a crowd was attracted.
So, they had their cameras ready, the bouncy castle was empty for the first time all afternoon, and a Dakota was spotted. On the horizon. Which is more or less where it stayed, often obscured by trees at the edge of the playing field where the church fair was held. A fair on a park in the next village along from the town in question (so they'll tell you, but it's joined on and is only 1.6km away) had an unexpected flypast.
Back at the church fair, there was a display. Of one crestfallen clergyman doing his best to put on a brave face, and not entirely succeeding; and a number of embarrassed air cadets whose benevolent fund raffle ticket sales hit a sudden plateau. Hard words were heard from some of the revellers about the standard of RAF navigation. One wag suggested that a work experience scheme was involved.
I guess someone may have a hats-on talk on Monday.
adr
Last edited by adr; 28th Jun 2008 at 21:22.