"I regard it as a privilege to fight for all those things that make life worth living - freedom, honour and fair play"
70th Anniversary Events
The 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain is upon us. Sadly we have lost too many of the vaunted Few as the anniversary year has approached, but this only makes it even more important that we remember them and what they accomplished. This page provides a listing of those events and remembrances - both large and small - undertaken during this year to remember all who fought and toiled in the Battle of Britain so that we all might live free.
The Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Concert - In association with the RAF Chaplaincy
Saturday - 3rd of July, 2010
Saturday - 3rd of July, 2010
1.RAF March Past - Kenneth Alford
2. Fantasia on British Sea Songs - Henry Wood
3. Comin'in on a wing and a prayer - Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh
4. Bandits Galop [Fast Polka] - Johann Strauss
5. The Longest Day - Paul Anka/Maurice Jarre
6. Hymn to the fallen/Saving Private Ryan - John Williams
7. Calling all workers March - Eric Coates
1. Battle of Britain Suite - Ron Goodwin
2. They'll be Bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover - Words - Nat Burton Melody - Walter Kent
3. Act 1 Finale - The Bartered Bride - Smetana
4. 2nd Movement extract Symphony No.3 Symphony of Sorrowful Songs - Gorecki
5. Secret Army - Robert Farnon
Alleluia - Randall-Thompson - 1940
Reflection: Chaplain-in-chief, the Ven Ray Pentland QHC, BA, DipPS, MTh
Lift Thine Eyes - Elijah - Mendelssohn
Pomp & Circumstance - March No. 1 - Elgar
Southdowns Heritage Centre - BofB 70th Anniversary Exhibit
Southdowns Nurseries,on the Brighton Road A273 in Hassocks, West SusexEntry to the centre is free. If anyone is passing by that way please pop in and have a look.
Biggin Hill Air Show 26 - 27 June
BH Team have agreed to be branded & theme the show as a celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Contact: Colin Hitchins - colin.fran1@btinternet.com
Welsh Senedd (National Assembly for Wales) 30th June
In Cardiff - Involves a parade and a Spitfire flypast (and provisionally a replica as well)
Contact: Peter Sinclair - Air-RAFCROWales@mod.uk or petersinclair@hotmail.com
IWM London
Battle of Britain 7th Anniversary Launch & Veterans Event
IWM Lambeth
1 July, 2010
IWM Lambeth will be hosting a public event attended by veterans. The event will highlight the Explore History facility at Lambeth alongside a summer of general
1940's activities. A press and media photo call, featuring in particular the Mk 1 Spitfire in the main Atrium, will be focused on encouraging family visits during
the summer holidays.
Contact: Susannah Behr: SBehr@IWM.ORG.UK
RAF Airshow
RAF Waddington
3-4 July, 2010
Battle of Britain 70th to be one of the underlying themes.
Contact: Colin Reeves: creeves@waddingtonairshow.co.uk
Battle of Britain Trust Parade - Capel-le-Ferne
Capel-le-Ferne
11 July, 2010
Battle of Britain Trust executing s per previous years.
Contact: Patrick Tootal: battleofbritain@btinternet.com
Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT)
Fairford
17 - 18 July, 2010
RAIT Planning - Battle of Britain 70th to be one of the underlying themes.
Contact: Group Captain Andy Huggett: JFAC-CMDGpDirector@mod.uk
St. Francis Hospice - 1940's Big Band Dance
Sacred Heart of St. Mary's Girls School in Upminster
24 July, 2010 from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM
The 1940s Dance is being held at Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School in Upminster. Tickets are £22:50 which includes a
Fish 'n' Chips supper. People can bring their own drinks.
There will be a live 16 piece band (the Jeff Short Band) playing all the well known 40s classics
including Glenn Miller. We are encouraging people to dress in 1940s style or black tie and hope to have lookalikes/re-enactors there.
It looks to be a fantastic evening!! Tickets are available through me on 01708 475103.
Contact: Gil Hagan: gillian.hagan@ntlworld.com
Cabinet War Rooms - Large Scale Event
CWR - London
20 August, 2010
IWM Planning. CWR Reception to mark 70th Anniversary of Churchill's famous 'so much by so' speech. Replica Spitfire to be provided,
plus event to be tied to BBMF BofB Station Overflight
Contact: Susannah Behr: SBehr@iwm.org.uk
Phil Reed: preed@iwm.org.uk
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) BofB Station Overflight
Overflight of key Battle of Britain Fighter Bases to end at CWR
20 August, 2010
BBMF Planning in association with IWM.
Contact: Squadron Leader Ian Smith: smithi248@coningsby.raf.mod.uk
VIP & Celebrity Golf Day
Goodwood
26 August, 2010
RAFBF / RAFA Planning. Assets requested – BBMF & RAF Band for end of day dinner / reception.
Contact: Bob Hounslow: Bob.Hounslow@rafa.org.uk
Charwell Concert
Chartwell (Home of Winston Churchill)
4 September, 2010
Biggin Hill / RAFA Planning - Classical music Show, to include 70th / RAFA themes.
Contact: Colin Hitchins: colin.fran1@btinternet.com
Duxford - The Battle of Britain Air Show
IWM Duxford
4 - 5 September, 2010
IWMD Planning. The main IWMD air show focussing on the "Men and Machines" that flew in the BofB – to note this will be allied and axis.
The underlying objective is for visitors to better understand the efforts and sacrifices of young aviators during summer 1940 and how they
helped shape today’s European tableau.
The City of London Salute to WWII Veterans
St. Paul's Cathedral
7 September, 2010
RAFA planning - Parade on the approach to St Paul's followed by a service and subsequent reception in the City of London
hosted by the Lord Mayor. RAF ceremonial and contemporary flypasts.
Heritage Open Day
Bentley Priory
9 - 12 September, 2010
Participants - Cadets, BBMF.
RAF Air Show
RAF Leuchars
11 September, 2010
Planning - Battle of Britain 70th to one of several underlying themes.
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Memorial Service & Flypast to Lord Dowding
By his memorial in Station Park, Moffat
12 September, 2010 - 2:30 PM
Contact: Jean Purves: merecleuch93@btinternet.com
Unveiling of Sir Keith Park Memorial
Waterloo Place
15 September, 2010
SKP Team Planning - Unveiling of Sir Keith Park Memorial in Waterloo Place. RAF ceremonial and BBMF flypasts.
Contact: fflood@tullettprebon.com
Fundraising Gala Banquet
Mansion House
15 September, 2010
RAFBF and RAFA Planning - Gala Banquet
Battle of Britain Fighter Association Act of Remebrance
Monument on Westminster Embankment
18 September, 2010
Battle of Britain Fighter Assoc decision - RAF in ceremonial Supporting role if required.
Contact: battleofbritain@btinternet.com
Battle of Britain Fighter Association/Bentley Priory Trust Annual Dinner
Bentley Priory or Northolt
18 September, 2010
Battle of Britain National Commemoration Service
Westminster Abbey
19 September, 2010
Preceded by a parade and the Fighter Association's private Service to pay homage to Lord Dowding. Reception following the service,
in the Atrium of MOD Main Building. BBC likely televising the event. This event will be distinctly different from the City Salute
parade and service of 7 Sep.
RAF Church - St. Clement Danes (SCD) BofB ExhibitionExhibition in RAF St ClementDanes Churchcrypt BofB period SCD / RAF Museum project.
Contact: Reverend Adrian Gatrill : Adrian.Gatrill615@mod.uk
RAF in Concert Tour 2010 - Battle of Britain 70th AnniversaryOctober: 23 - The Sage Newcastle; 24 - International Centre, Harrogate; 28 - Symphony Hall, Birmingham; 31 - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
November: 7 - Theatre Royal, Norwich; 21 - Colston Hall, Bristol; 24 - Barbican, London tbc (Poss other date at Festival Hall)
25 - The Anvil, Basingstoke; 26 - Cliffs Pavilion, Southend; 27 - Ipswich Regent.
December: 2 - Royal Theatre, Nottingham; 4 - Lighthouse, Poole; 5 - Congress Theatre, Eastbourne.
Contact: Sqn Ldr Stubbs: uxb-hqms-pdm@mod.uk or: Carolyn Rogers: caroline.rogers@rafcte.com
"We do not want to be remembered as heroes, we only ask to be remembered for what we did....that's all"
W/C Robert "Bob" Doe British 234 & 238 Squadrons Fighter Command"I regard it as a privilege to fight for all those things that make life worth living - freedom, honour and fair play"
Pilot Officer William "Bill" Millington Australian 79 & 249 Squadrons Fighter CommandPERPETUATING THE MEMORY
© The Battle of Britain Historical Society 2006