Leeds nostalgia: Replica Spitfire touches down in Crossgates

SEVENTY-FIVE years ago Britain was fighting for its future in the skies.

The Battle of Britain was raging, the outcome still unknown.

To commemorate the sacrifice made during this time, a full-scale replica Spitfire will be on display on the grounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kingswear Parade, Crossgates on Saturday 7 November from 10 am until 5pm.

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Now the hunt is on to find any veterans who may have worked on Spitfires.

Members of the public are all welcome to enjoy sitting in the cockpit, having their photograph taken and reliving life as a Battle of Britain pilot. Donations will be taken in aid of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

As part of a weekend of remembrance, around 60 young people from the Church will be giving their time to collect for the Poppy Appeal. A variety of activities will be undertaken including a number of the youth singing wartime songs such as ‘It’s a Long Way to Tiperary’ and ‘Pack up Your Troubles’ in the Crossgates Shopping Centre between 10am and 1pm.

There are around 3,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Leeds area, hundreds of whom take part in supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal each year.

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David Coulthard, former manager of Crossgates Shopping Centre, said: “What would make this event even more special is if we could find someone that flow or worked on Spitfires willing to come along and give an insight to the aircraft and what that time was like. Other events will include various groups encouraging people to join in a wartime sing-a-long in what is hoped may recreate some of the community sprit felt in those dark days on what turned out to be one of our nation’s finest hours.”

Contact Sarah Turner on 07429 576259 or IaN Horsfall on 07815 477607.