Spitfire fly-by to mark the day a town bought one 75 years ago

The people of Horbury and Ossett communities responded to the threat from Nazi Germany by putting their hands in their pockets to raise enough money to purchase a Spitfire.

And a plane will flyover this year’s Horbury Show - on Sunday June 28 - to commemorate the anniversary.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be sending a Spitfire along to provide a flypast display at Carr Lodge Park.

A spokesman for show organisers Rotary Club of Horbury & Ossett Phoenix said: “Sadly it will not be the one paid for by local efforts in 1940, that aircraft and its Polish pilot were shot down over France early in 1941.

“It is hoped to have a display of information about the aircraft purchase at the show to provide further information for visitors.”

Last year’s show also featured Battle of Britain Hurricane and Spitfire plane flypasts.

This year’s show, which is the 19th such event, will also feature a number of old and new activities and displays. These include both a static owl display and two spectacular flying displays from SMJ Falconry.

The strongest man competition will also return after an absence of two years. There is a cast of hundreds from majorettes, classic cars, craft displays, face painting and the fun dog show.

Professor Robanti and his traditional Punch and Judy Show will be a major attraction for younger children.

There will be more than 80 stalls, both charity and commercial, providing a wide variety of activities and goods.

Beer fans will be in for a treat too as there will real ale bar, courtesy of Boons, of Horbury.

There will also be plenty of catering and some ice cream vans.

Entrance to the show is free. Car parking is available in the park, subject to ground conditions – but organisers do ask for a voluntary contribution to cover some of the costs of the show.

As usual all profits raised by Rotary from the Horbury Show are used for charitable purposes. In the past year money raised through Horbury Show and other events exceeded £27,000, of which over 80 per cent went to locally-based good causes.

For more information about the timings of the major attractions see www.horburyshow.co.uk