Day out at the Shuttleworth Collection air display
Day out at the Shuttleworth Collection air display

Outing to see the Shuttleworth Collection flying display

A lay in and my normal Sunday fried breakfast before reading The Sunday Times from cover to cover. No mention, again, of my interview with Jane Bird and Philip Beresford and I begin to wonder whether it is the dominance of Richard Brookes or an editorial policy against the copy. Washed, dressed, and then Daniel’s friends arrive in force and I watch and surprise them playing Elite. The early cloudy weather was gradually clearing and I made the decision to prepare for a visit to Old Warden. But first our Sunday lunch and only just time for Diana to finish the washing up before we load up the Escort Estate and take off. A short drive down the A1 dual carriageway to Old Warden and we arrive at the parking field of the Shuttleworth Collection as the first air display session is in progress.

A fine afternoon watching and filming the historic motor cars, traction engines and aircraft. The climax was a flying display of Gloster Gladiator and Spitfire followed by the World War 1 flying aircraft in some number. In all a fitting pageant and fine memory to the young Shuttleworth, flying enthusiast and aircraft collector, who died in a flying accident in the Second World War. We leave in late afternoon with the light failing and stop at The Happy Eater for two diet burgers and some chips for the children. A quiet evening helping the children with their work before settling down to put the latest press cuttings in the ‘Life after Comart’ press cuttings book.