Spitfires Roar Across the Skies at Batley Vintage Day!

It will be eyes to the skies as a Spitfire fighter plane soars over
Batley as part of Vintage Day. Batley Business Association (BBA) has secured a
Spitfire flyover for the event on May 31. Vice chairman Robert Oldfield applied
to the RAF for a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to whizz over the town
centre to make the first ever Batley Vintage Day extra special. The flyover has
been confirmed by the RAF, subject to weather conditions and the availability
of fighter pilots.

Robert, of Admiral Security, Batley, said: “I’m amazed we
have got it, I know people who have been trying for an age so it’s unbelievable
to get a flyover on the first try.” BBA chairman Andrew Marsden said it would
make a fantastic photo opportunity. “If you could photograph it flying over the
town hall or library that would be amazing,” he said. “It takes the Vintage Day
up a level, because people will come just to see the Spitfire.”

He added that Batley bought its own Spitfire plane with donations raised in the town during
the second world war. It first flew in March 1941 and was assigned to the
squadron who provided air cover for the D Day Landings. This year is the 70th
anniversary of the D Day operation – see next week’s paper for more. Batley
Vintage Day will make its debut in the market place and memorial gardens on Saturday
May 31, 10am-5pm. A vintage market will be accompanied by live entertainment,
dancing, sport and cooking workshops and a vintage car display. The free event
is also supporting Batley Food Bank by encouraging visitors to “bring a tin to
get in”.

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