‘Fortune Favoured The Brave’

Whilst nearby Galas were being cancelled, due to the recent inclement weather, the organisers of the Coal Aston Gala decided to go ahead.  Only once in the past thirty years had the Gala been seriously affected by rain, but more importantly, their decision was influenced because they were expecting a flypast by a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.   

The Gala was opened by the Dronfield Town Mayor, Councillor Izzy Pryce, and his wife accompanied by the Sunday School Queen, Hannah Dobson, and her attendants Amiee Raw and Laura Higginbottom.  

The WI Coal Aston Well Dressing was blessed and visitors to the Gala were greeted by the melodious sound of a traditional street organ.

Punch and Judy and the children’s entertainer Kimmo were there to entertain the younger visitors.   The Dronfield Band played popular selections and children from Lenthall Infants School gave a display of May Pole dancing.   In between these featured items visitors admired the display of classic cars and the Dronfield fire engine, and a display of traditional woodturning, whilst the more energetic participated in the Coal Aston Bowling Club target bowls competition.  

The day was rounded off by a series of children’s races, but the highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of the Mark II Spitfire, a veteran of the Battle of Britain and the oldest Spitfire still flying, piloted by Group Captain Stuart Atha.   He made three spectacular passes over the village.   Whilst this brought back memories for many of the older generation, one little girl was heard to say “Isn’t it a beautiful aeroplane?”