A FLY-PAST by the only two flying Lancaster bombers in the world at Kenley Airfield last Sunday had to be cancelled because of poor weather.
The bombers, plus a Spitfire and a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight were meant to fly over the airfield to mark the anniversary of Kenley's "Hardest Day" on August 18 1940, when the airfield was heavily raided and nine people were killed.
Chairman of RAF Kenley Tribute Committee Mike Street said that the event had to be cancelled due to wind and rain.
He said: "The conditions in which these iconic items of British heritage can fly are extremely strict.
"The pilots wouldn't have been able to see the crowd and the crowd wouldn't have been able to see the aircraft.
"We were all extremely disappointed and speaking to the officers they were as disappointed as we were."
The Canadian Fighter Wing squadrons were based at Kenley Airfield in 1942 and so the crew of the Canadian Lancaster meant to fly on Sunday were particularly upset not to get to see the airfield.
But the 74th anniversary of the Hardest Day was still remembered in Kenley as The Wattenden Arms pub raised a flagpole with the RAF Ensign on Sunday afternoon.
They were joined by Cold War NF11 pilot Mike Webster who gave a speech.
Pub manager Steve Stevens said: "Our pub dates back to the early 1900s. There is a lot of history here and in Kenley, especially with the airfield so close by and fairly untouched by time. We thought it important that we do something special."
