We are holding a service at St.David's to mark the 50th anniversary of a tragic accident that occurred in our village back in 1976. This is what happened ;-

On January 19, 1976, two Royal Air Force Harrier GR.3 jets, XV745 and XV754, collided in a mid-air collision over Wettenhall, near Nantwich, Cheshire, during a low-level exercise, killing both pilots, Flight Lieutenant James Edward Downey and Flight Lieutenant John Keith Roberts
. One pilot did not eject, while the other attempted to but failed to survive the impact and subsequent events. The accident resulted in a large ball of fire, wreckage spread over a wide area, and power outages for some local homes.
Details of the Incident
• Date: January 19, 1976
• Aircraft: Two single-seater Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3s
• Location: Wettenhall, near Nantwich, Cheshire, England
• Circumstances: The aircraft were taking part in a four-plane low-level exercise.
• Cause: A misjudgment in timing during a formation maneuver led to the collision between the two aircraft.
• Casualties: Both pilots, Flight Lieutenant James Edward Downey (in XV754) and Flight Lieutenant John Keith Roberts (in XV745), were killed instantly
The commemoration service will be held on Sunday the 18th January and both families of the pilots will be in attendance - some of which will be coming over from Canada. We will also be joined by the 146(Northwich) Squadron RAF Air Cadets Drum Band. We would be most grateful if the whole community can come along and support this event as we mark the ultimate sacrifice ade by two members of our armed forecs.
The service will be followed by refreshments and a meal for thise who would wish to stay - please let members of the church know if you wouls like to join us for hot food so we have an idea of numbers to catter for.
We look forward to commemorating this sad event in our parish.