Museum stamps its mark on centenary celebrations

Windsor played a special role in the launch of airmail - and 100 years on the town is set to again be the focus of sky-high attention.

On 9 September 1911 the UK's first official aerial post was carried from Hendon in north London to Windsor Great Park in a 1910 Blériot. One hundred and twenty thousand special envelopes and postcards were sold and crowds gathered at both sites to witness the flight - which was delayed because of the weather!

On Friday 9 September 2011 the centenary flight will see a helicopter fly the same route carrying a small collection of commemorative cards and envelopes as well as guest passenger Air Marshall Sir Ian Macfadyen, Constable and Keeper of Windsor Castle. The flight departs RAF Hendon at 11.15am and lands in the Windsor Great Park cricket car park at 11.30am.

To mark the occasion the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, in the Guildhall, High Street, Windsor, is holding a FREE Aviation First! celebration on Saturday 10 September from 12noon to 4pm.

An 8ft-wingspan model Bleriot aircraft, as used in 1911, and a vintage postal bicycle will be on display on the Corn Exchange. At 1.30 and 2.30pm author Mo Heard will read from her book Leo's Heroes, a children's adventure novel about early aviation featuring Windsor's own Sir Sydney Camm, designer of the Hawker Hurricane. Children will also have the chance to make paper planes in various designs.

Cllr Simon Dudley, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, said: "Windsor played a special role in the launch of airmail and this will be a fun way for people of all ages to celebrate the centenary."

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