Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary

Events

Tuesday 17th August.

  • Clwyd Theatr Cinema: An 8pm showing of the classic film “BATTLE OF BRITAIN” (PG) The classic account of one of the major events of WW2 depicting how when in the summer of 1940, despite being heavily outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, the RAF’s dedicated pilots took off day after day to defend the skies over the English Channel and the Southern Counties and so the threatened German invasion. Starring: Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard and many more; cinema bookings can also be made through the Theatr box office. Tel: 0845 330 3565.

Wednesday 18th August.

  • Street Market Day and themed events in Mold Town centre.
  • Gallery display of prints of “Battle of Britain” scenes painted by the aviation artist Geoffrey Nutkins and autographed by over seventy RAF and Luftwaffe pilots who flew in the Battle. The pictures will be displayed until 23rd August in the y Pentan Bar/Restaurant in New Street, Mold.
  • At 2pm at the Theatr Clwyd Cinema there will be a further showing of the “Battle of Britain” film.
  • An afternoon children’s “Tea Party” in the town, please watch out for further details.
  • Between 10.30am and hourly until 3.30pm a shuttle bus service will operate from the lay by to the left of the bus station exit in Chester Street for a “Guided walking tour of the secret former Valley Works at Rhydymwyn”, just two miles away. The tour will visit the diverted River Alyn, the building where the original work on the Atomic Bomb was done, the gateway to the famous tunnels, the edge of the beautiful water feature and finally through the magnificent Pryo buildings. Enjoy the tour for just a modest charge.
  • A “Battle of Britain” Commemoration Lecture Evening will take place in the Clwyd Room at the Theatr Clwyd starting at 7.30pm. Tickets can be obtained through the Theatr box office, telephone 0845 330 3565, priced at £7 (concessions £5).
  • Squadron Leader Tony Pickering will open the evening and the week’s events. Tony Pickering flew Hurricanes in the “Battle of Britain” having been based at both RAF Sealand and RAF Hawarden before being posted south to Biggin Hill. Tony will recount some of his experiences including being shot down and parachuting to the safety of the Guards depot at Caterham!
  • Geoff Simpson will follow, Geoff is an acknowledged expert on the subject of the Battle of Britain,” in the past 25 years he has met and corresponded with several hundred of the allied airmen who took part. He writes and lectures regularly on the subject and his book “A Dictionary of the Battle of Britain” was published last year. He is a Trustee of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, a Council Member of the Friends of the Imperial War Museum and a member of the RAF Historical Society and the Guild of Battlefield Guides. His talk is entitled “Who were the Few”?
  • On the same evening at 8pm the Clwyd Theatr cinema will be showing the classic film “Reach for the Sky”(U) the true story of Douglas Bader who became a war hero in spite of the loss of both his legs in a pre war flying accident, it stars Kenneth More.

Thursday 19th August

  • In the morning from 9am to noon, youngsters aged between 8 and 12 can test their skills in the company of Veterans for “Airfix Modelling” at the y Pentan, call to book a place 01352 755665.

Friday 20th August

  • At 2pm the Clwyd Theatr cinema will show the film “The Way to the Stars (U) as a tribute to the heroic aircrews of Bomber Command, Michael Redgrave, John Mills and a young Bill Owen (Compo from Last of the Summers Wine) star. The film is an exploration of everyday life on a British bomber base and its interaction with the local community in WW2.
  • From 10am until 4pm in the Jubilee Room in the Town Hall, Earl Road a continuous showing of filmed “WW2 Veteran interviews” produced by pupils of the local High Schools, students from the Glyndwr University in Wrexham and “Mold Salutes” volunteers; refreshments available.
  • In the evening an “Officer’s Mess Pub Visits” is being arranged, please watch out for further details.

Saturday 21st August.

  • Street market day and themed events in Mold Town centre.
  • The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota will fly over the town at around noon to mark our “Mold Salutes” commemoration activities.
  • At 2pm at Clwyd Theatr Cinema there will be a further screening of the film “Reach for the Sky” the true story of the life of Douglas Bader.
  • Between 10am and 4pm the continuous showing of the “WW2 Veteran interviews” at the Jubilee Room in the Town Hall, Earl Room; refreshments being available.
  • The shuttle bus service to and from the “Secret Valley Works at Rhydymwyn” will again be available hourly from 10.30am to 3.30 pm to and from the lay by to the left of the bus station exit in Chester Street, other information as per the Wednesday tour plans.
  • The Battle of Britain picture Gallery in the y Pentan bar/restaurant remain open from 10am onwards.
  • "We very much regret that we have had to make the decision to at least postpone the planned "1940's Gala Evening" that was to have taken place in the Clwyd Room at the Clwyd Theatr next Saturday 21st August. Unfortunately the demand for tickets has been very poor indeed which is very disappointing given the entertainment that had been planned: it might be just possible to rearrange at a later date but as of now we can only apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Sunday 22nd August.

  • Unfortunately the Memorial Parade has had to be cancelled as the airmen and the band from RAF Cosford are now unable to attend as planned. However at 11.15 am a contingent of our local Cadets will gather in an area opposite the St.Mary's Church and proceed to the Cenotaph where there will be a short service and they will lay a wreath on behalf of the "Mold Salutes" Association.

There will be street collections in Mold on the Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with collection boxes in shops and elsewhere in the Town; all monies raised will be divided between two Charities;

THE “BATTLE OF BRITAIN” MEMORIAL TRUST & THE “HELP FOR HEROES” APPEAL

For further information please contact 08001422 790 email moldsalutes@hotmail.com www.moldsalutes.org