A Lancaster bomber is to fly past at Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally on Saturday.
The two-day event, which started in the 1960s as a fundraiser to save Masham Town Hall, has become one of the Harrogate district summer highlights.
It returns this weekend after a two-year hiatus due to covid. Several thousand people are expected to attend.
There will be 42 steam engines, dancing diggers, a fairground and lots of other activities in the rally field just outside Masham.
But the highlight will be the Lancaster bomber, which is due to fly past at 1.02pm on Saturday.
The rally was due to have a Dakota fly past on its 50th anniversary but it had to be cancelled due to the weather. This weekend’s forecast, however, is excellent.
Flo Grainger, who has helped to organise the event for 30 years, said:
“It’s another step to getting back to normal and we are all looking forward to the event returning. We are very lucky to have the Lancaster.”
Entry costs £12 for adults, £7 for concessions and £3 for children over five. Younger children get in for free. A caravan park is available for overnight visitors.
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- Masham Steam Rally postponed due to covid
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Ex-Knaresborough cadet captains Lancaster bomber in Queen’s flypast
A former Knaresborough cadet played a major role in the jubilee celebrations when he captained the Lancaster bomber that flew over Buckingham Palace.
Flight Lieutenant Paul Wise was in charge of the aircraft that flew over the palace following Thursday’s Trooping the Colour parade.
Flt Lt Wise joined the RAF’s 1953 (Knaresborough) squadron in 1993.
Paul Wise (centre) Pic courtesy of Tim Holderness
After leaving cadets in 1999, he joined the RAF and flew the C-130 Hercules for many years before becoming a qualified flying instructor with 45 squadron at RAF Cranwell, training the next generation of RAF multi-engine pilots and crew.
He still performs this role with the RAF, however in 2018 he also joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a Dakota captain and co-pilot for the Lancaster. This year he became a captain of the Lancaster.
Flt Lt Wise said:
“I still remember visiting Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a cadet whilst on Easter camp with Knaresborough ATC.
“Never did I think that one day I would be in the privileged position to captain the Lancaster for the Queen’s platinum jubilee flypast.”
The flypast started in the Wash and included much of southern England, including the palace.
Read more:
- Last remaining Sam Smith’s pub in Knaresborough closes
- How did a First World War bomb end up in Knaresborough?