As previous threads have indicated each year an event takes place at Staunton-in-the-Vale (eastern Nottinghamshire) called Snowdrop Sunday – this year’s event takes place on Sunday 19th February 2012, between 11am and 4pm.
As well as the historical grounds of Staunton Hall and the beautiful flowers there is always an aviation aspect to the day, which is to a large extent thanks to the efforts and dedication of the forum’s own jack russell’s in remembering the crew of 61 Squadron Lancaster W4270, through the aircrew memorial that is maintained in the churchyard at Staunton.
This year the aviation displays will include a display entitled: The last Crew of Lancaster W4270; plus two talks / demonstrations by the Summer of ’44 Living History Group.
The talks will last around 20 – 30 minutes and will be on the following topics:
1230 hours – Maximum Effort – about a typical Lancaster crew
1430 hours – One of our aircraft is missing – about escape and evasion
A modest fee is charged for adult admission (children free), with proceeds going towards the church tower fund.
No doubt copies of jr’s excellent book will be on sale and visitors will also be able to pick up a free copy of the Aviation In Nottinghamshire booklet, that features the W4270 aircrew memorial.
By: jack russell - 20th February 2012 at 11:21
Would have been great to have seen you, sorry you couldn’t make it. Just had a call from the main organiser, we raised £9500, no wonder I feel a little delicate today, and no doubt I’m not the only one who talked solid for 6 hours!
By: austernj673 - 20th February 2012 at 11:04
Well done Jack, I was really looking forward to this but unfortunatly could’nt make it. Heard lots of good feedback from those that attended.
By: jack russell - 19th February 2012 at 22:14
Thankyou all for such kind comments, remembering them all is what it’s all about, we’ve been lucky enough to get the opportunity to remember these 7 in detail, wish we could do the same for them all! I’ll add some of my snaps not very good sadly. JR
http://flic.kr/p/bw6SGn
http://flic.kr/p/bw6T5n
http://flic.kr/p/bw6TTB
By: Peter - 19th February 2012 at 21:52
Congratulations on a great day and what a fabulous turnout as well! Well done to everyone that worked hard to make sure this day went as planned!
By: AirportsEd - 19th February 2012 at 21:39
I’m really glad I was able to make it over to Staunton today.
Even though the weather gods did the best they could for a February day, even with that clear blue sky I was still stunned by the number of people that turned out for the event. I took the whole family along and they all enjoyed it.
The efforts that have been made to remember those unfortunate young men on W4270 are truly outstanding and a real credit to Jack Russell.
Long may these seven men – and the other 55000+ that flew with Bomber Command – be remembered.
Ed
By: TwinOtter23 - 19th February 2012 at 19:58
Congratulations on a great day in some wonderful winter weather, you put in a lot of hard work and what a turnout of visitors.
You did the crew of W4270 proud! 🙂
Sorry that I don’t have any capacity to host photos, but hopefully soemone will be along soon!
By: jack russell - 19th February 2012 at 18:18
Well that was one amazing day, have to say the Lancaster exhibition always draws the public in, we estimate over 3000 people came through, huge interest from both young and old, always meet such amazing people and great to see TwinOtter23 and AirportsEd amongst others. Huge thanks to the ‘Bomber Boys’ as well, they pulled in a huge crowd, as usual I missed most of what they did, but heard such glowing reports from the public about them, apologies once again for the Church Bells, a few more trips up that tower and I would have needed oxygen! Sadly didn’t get many photos but hopefully others did and will add to this thread.
By: jack russell - 19th February 2012 at 07:54
Well at least the weather looks like it’s on our side, here we go, 1500 people attended last time to hear about our boys, wonder what will happen today. Photos later.
By: TwinOtter23 - 18th February 2012 at 23:34
Don’t forget the fund raiser tomorrow at Staunton!! 🙂
By: TwinOtter23 - 18th February 2012 at 13:43
Thinking of the crew today – plus the new Interpretation Board has been mentioned in NAM’s next Dispersal! 😉
Thermals ready for tomorrow!! 😀
By: jack russell - 18th February 2012 at 08:45
69th anniversary of the crash today, all the research team will be up at the Memorial preparing for Snowdrop Sunday tomorrow, when we hope several hundred people will be coming not only to admire the scenic grounds the Memorial is in, but also to hear the story of our crew and so keep their memory alive. ‘The Bomber Boys’ are doing talks and demonstrations in the Church and are also bringing WW11 military vehicles, the weather looks good for tomorrow, so all in all it should be a great tribute to our crew!
By: TwinOtter23 - 3rd February 2012 at 22:49
Just one quick update – in post #1 I was wrong to say that Snowdrop Sunday is an annual event; I have been advised that it only takes place every 4 years. 😮
So even more reason to attend!!
By: TwinOtter23 - 1st February 2012 at 08:29
Good to see the coverage has started – hopefully more will follow soon! 😉
Perhaps the current cold weather will slow those snowdrops down a bit.
By: jack russell - 30th January 2012 at 15:08
Thankyou for coming too! Was really nice to chat to everyone and catch up with the Halam Memorial group, great to swap notes and offer advice to one another. Very proud of the board, and pleased to know that even if the snowdrops are going over there will be lots for visitors to see and do with the exhibitions that also had an airing today, I’m amazed how many people come to see the Memorial now, and the board means they can now read all about our crew!
One of our local papers are already running the story from this morning.
http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/community/community-news/airmen_killed_in_village_crash_are_gone_but_not_forgotten_1_3469222
By: TwinOtter23 - 30th January 2012 at 14:43
Just back from Staunton where the new interpretation board (funded by a Nottinghamshire County Council Local Improvement Scheme grant) for the W4270 Memorial was officially unveiled at noon – congratulations to jr and everyone involved in putting this together; excellent buffet as well! 🙂
Fingers crossed that the colder weather helps hold back those snowdrops!
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January 27, 2012 at 3:29 pm