The skies above Fishguard and Goodwick were filled with aeronautical antics yesterday (Sunday)as the twin towns celebrated the achievements of aviation pioneer, Denys Corbett Wilson.
Sunday April 22nd marked 100 years since Corbett Wilson made the first flight from the UK to Ireland, taking off from a field at Pencw, Harbour Village, Goodwick.
The organisers of the Corbett Wilson festival drew on the diverse talents of the community to put on a festival that had something for everyone from fine dining to high flying, taking in music, theatre and history along the way.
The ceremony was officially opened by Trevor Fishlock on Friday morning, that evening he was among guests enjoying a centenary celebration dinner.
On Saturday prizes were awarded to the winners of the paint and design a plane competitions, while in Goodwick there was a display of model aeroplanes and computer aeroplane simulators. At Theatre Gwaun visitors could take a virtual flight in a Bleriot, Corbett Wilson’s plane, with simulator projected onto the big screen.
In Lota Park, teams organised by the Sea Cadets battling it out in the Corbett Wilson Challenge Trophy. An exhibition put together by Pembrokeshire County Council also proved a great success.
In the evening, Derek Webb's play 100 Minutes packed Theatr Gwaun, recounting the life and achievement of Corbett Wilson in a humorous and heartfelt way. Sunday began with the unveiling of a centenary interpretive panel at Pencw. The day then flew by in a series of flypasts and displays. In the morning the sky was filled with microlights, monoplanes and biplanes, many of whom who had flown over from Ireland to join Pembrokeshire Flying Club for the occasion.
On Goodwick Parrog the town’s brass band entertained the crowds with a piece of music specially commissioned for the centenary, while the Osprey display team treated everyone to a stunning display over the harbour, swooping up and diving at over 200 mph towards the sea.
Centenary celebration secretary Maggie Stringer said: “It's wonderful to see so many in the community coming together to celebrate Corbett Wilson's pioneering spirit and his aviation milestone and the part that Fishguard and Goodwick played in it.”
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