Flying Foxhunters – An illustrated Talk by Jeremy Heygate
A special fund raising event to open the Arnhem weekend. The 80th Commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem
Planes, pilots and Paras from around Somerby in the Golden Age of Aviation.
‘Flying Foxhunters’ explores the famous pilots, planes and passengers who have lived at or flown from the villages close to Somerby between 1919 and 1945. Starting at the old airfield at Burrough Court, we cover Lord Furness, his family, and his various aircraft, including a rumoured link to Nevill Chamberlain’s negotiations with Hitler at Munich. This leads on to the 10th Battalion of the Parachute regiment, and the paratroopers who were billeted at Burrough Court prior to the tragic drop into Arnhem. The talk reveals some previously unseen details about that heroic battle, whilst also acknowledging the famous story of Somerby’s feathered flyer, ‘Myrtle the Parachick’.
In part two, we cover the Loewenstein family from Thorpe Satchville, where Alfred and his son Bobby were frequent flyers and both met tragic and mysterious airborne fates, and we learn about Bobby’s little known but vital contribution to the war effort.
Finally, we finish at Burrough on the Hill, with its connections to a member of the Peake family who played a major part in the most famous aerial conflict of all time.
Tickets £10 each, includes your first drink from the bar plus canapes (cash bar thereafter)
Secure your tickets from The Littleshop of Loveliness, Somerby or contact chris.rooney19@btinternet.com