Reach for the Skies


Yesterday was a great day with the flypast of the NHS spitfire at 2.45pm. Scheduled to fly from Haltwhistle across to the Cumberland Infirmary, we knew it would fly across the Castle so we were looking forward to seeing one of the most iconic planes of the Second World War in the skies above. With only 35 spitfires currently flying, it was a rare opportunity which we couldn't miss.

That the skies were cloudy and the timings altered made us a little apprehensive, but five minutes beforehand we cajoled our visitors outside and encouraged them to wait for the spectacle in the sky. Suddenly there was the familiar sound of engines and there she was! Flying majestically over the castle and around the area of the neighbouring infirmary. A wonderful sight.

Another Second World War connection earlier in the afternoon, as I had been chatting to our Arnhem veteran on the telephone. Wilf is one hundred years old but sounds much younger, and it was an absolute pleasure to catch up with him. He is very proud of his Border Regiment connection and as we head to the 76th anniversary of the battle of Arnhem, it was a timely conversation. Two Second World connections on the same day!


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