Cheadle Turns Out for Spitfire Triumph

7 days ago
3 min read

On Saturday, the 6th of June, local people and visitors came together on Cheadle High Street for an event to mark the anniversary of the Spitfire's maiden flight and the anniversary of D-Day.

Cheadle Turns Out for Spitfire Triumph — Julian Mitchell Great Nephew of Reginald Mitchell

A main feature was the replica Spitfire sited on the Market Square. The Spitfire didn’t come alone but with many people dressed in the style of the era, stalls and activities, and micro-events in shops and other spaces. The Cheadle Discovery Group, event organizers, worked alongside many other partners to bring about a fantastic historical event even though the day was troubled with rain at the start. This didn't prevent volunteers from carrying out their set roles and the large crowd from rewarding their efforts.

We caught up with a few visitors and organizers to find out more about the day.

Proclamation

The day started with a town proclamation.

"Oyez, Oyez, Oyez! Good people of Cheadle, pray attend and listen well. Today our town gathers to mark the 90th Anniversary of the mighty Spitfire’s maiden flight; and the Anniversary of D Day — a day of victory, remembrance, and gratitude.

Gratitude especially to the Cheadle District who sacrificially raised enough to sponsor their own Spitfire plane, designed by a local engineer Reginald Mitchell, and called “Hope of Cheadle.”

On this solemn yet joyful day, we honour the brave men and women who gave their time, their strength, and their very lives for the war effort, that we might live in freedom.

So, come one and all, and do not miss the celebrations. A mighty Spitfire is here, and stalls of every kind will fill the streets with cheer and community spirit.

Raise your voices, raise your hearts, and join us in remembrance and celebration. God save the King, and God bless Cheadle!"

Interview with Discovery Group Organiser Mike Plant

We caught up with Mike, who told our reporter about the event.

Lori: I should imagine you're a little stressed now that the weather's cleared up?

Mike: Yes, I can relax a bit now. At 8 o'clock this morning, it was a little bit more tense.

Lori: So how's it going?

Mike: It's going extremely well. Turnout's really brilliant. Everyone's had nice things to say. All my guests are hanging around and enjoying the activities. The great nephew of Reginald Mitchell is around, and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire is around.

Lori: Is your outfit the Home Guard?

Mike: Yeah, but it's probably not historically accurate.

Lori: Mike, would you like to tell us what the highlights are and what's happening today?

Mike: Well, clearly the Spitfire is the centerpiece of the event, but we have tried to put on as much traditional entertainment as possible. So we've got Punch and Judy shows, Uttoxeter Morris Dancers are here. We've got traditional sweets. We've got a food van, which is serving off-the-ration foodstuff, such as spam and corned beef, because they weren't rationed in the same way.

Lori: I saw the ration books in the library.

Mike: Yes, we've got the ration books trail going on at the same time as well. So there's plenty going on, and there's knitted crafts along the entire high street put together by our partners Creative Cheadle.

Lori: Brilliant. Thank you.

The Kingsley Holt Centre

The Kingsley Holt Centre is a great supporter of Cheadle Events and brought along a delicious range of cakes to raise funds for the Kingsley Holt Centre, which is run by the community. The centre hosts events such as the Call-in Thursdays, Churnet Valley Voices, Chair Exercises, Baby & Toddler, Crafts, Workshops & more.

Cheadle Lions

A human slot machine was a fun addition to the festivities, organized by Cheadle Lions members and friends who created a novel and yet authentic way to raise funds for the work they do in the area.

I asked Lion Keith, "How does it work?" "Somebody gives you the money, then they pull the tickling stick, which is a feather duster. They pull that down, and as they pull that down, the human slots come down too and then roll up. Each human slot selects an item from their box, and then the player wins a prize. They win sweets or a model airplane."