A HISTORIC aircraft that played a key role during the D-Day landings of the Second World War will be flying over Lymm as part of Historic Transport Day.

For the third year in succession, the popular event will feature a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

In 2017 and 2018 visitors enjoyed a Spitfire flypast but this year it will be a display by the BBMF’s only Dakota C-47, the workhorse of the Second World War that dropped paratroopers on D-Day and brought home casualties from forward positions as well as carrying vital supplies.

Bruce Thomas, who set up the Dakota visit, said: “We are particularly proud to be hosting this display on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in which the Dakota played such an important part.”

Back on the ground, families will be able to see a larger than usual military contingent including gun and field hospital displays.

By way of contrast, the Lymm Historic Transport Day team has also launched a competition for schools to design a vehicle fit for the future with entries being displayed and possibly even demonstrated on the day.

The event has worked closely with schools since the outset and this year will also see a repeat of the annual four-day programme of canal activities run by Lymm Heritage Centre where children from six primary schools will get to hear and experience first hand what it was like to live on a Victorian working boat.

Lymm Historic Transport Day, now in its seventh year, drives, sails, steams and flies into the village centre on Sunday, June 23.

Event director Alan Williams said: “The challenge each year is to keep all the great stuff that people love like the drive-in and sail-past but also somehow find space for new ideas too.

Knutsford Guardian:

Picture by Alan Taylor

“The event is run by volunteers for the benefit of the whole community and after six years of steadily building up reserves we are now in a position to donate almost all of any surplus from the event to local causes.

“In 2018 that was £6,700 to around 14 different causes. Just as important is the free platform we offer to charities to raise both funds and profile which more than doubles that tally.”

From now until the event, which is less than three months away, the team will be putting the finishing touches to the plan which involves six shuttle buses, 1,000 parking places and a schedule that involves 100 volunteers on the day. It’s not too late to get in touch if you would like to be one of them.

Alan added: “If you have been to the event before you are probably already planning a return visit but if it is your first time then take a look at the website to see how you can arrive by vintage bus having left your car for free at the park-and-ride on the edge of the village.

“With hundreds of classic cars plus historic boats and traction engines plus indoor attractions like model rail and Lego expo it’s a must-see event.

“This year there is an extra chance for everyone to get involved as organisers are encouraging visitors to arrive in costume of the past 100 years.

“It could be anything from an Edwardian lady and gentleman to a couple of mods and rockers. It all adds to the unique atmosphere of the occasion. There will be prizes for the best costumes.”

Lymm Historic Transport Day takes place on Sunday, June 23. Admission to the whole event is £5 for an adult or £12 for a family of four.

Find out more at lymmtransport.org.uk