Events in air and on the ground for city (From The Northern Echo)

Events in air and on the ground for city

7:42am Friday 10th July 2009

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ONE of the region’s most breathtaking buildings was at the centre of two anniversaries yesterday – one on the ground and one in the air.

In the early hours of July 9, 1984, a blaze tore through York Minster’s South Transept. Despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters, by the time dawn broke the medieval roof had disappeared, swallowed by fire and smoke, and its ancient timbers lay charred and broken on the minster floor.

It marked the beginning of a four-year repair programme costing £2.5m. Yesterday, to mark the 25th anniversary, a service of thanksgiving was held, attended by many of those involved in the drama.

The Chapter House vestibule is also hosting an exhibition, which will run until late August, honouring those who saved the Minster and those who restored it.

Meanwhile, above the Minster yesterday, the RAF was marking the 90th anniversary of Number 1 Flying Training School. The Red Arrows and Tucano aircraft from the school’s base at Linton-on-Ouse thundered over the minster in a display of formation flying. It is the world’s oldest military flying training academy and was formed in July 1919.

It has been based at Linton since 1957.

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