Bleriot's historic first
flight across the Channel

by Graham Tutthill

A fanfare by trumpeters from the Duke of York's Royal
Military School and a low-level flying display by a Spitfire helped
launch big celebrations in Dover to mark the centenary of Louis
Bleriot's historic first flight across the English Channel.

Two days of activities, including a
display by the Red Arrows, will take place on July 25 and 26.

And Swedish pilot Mikael Carlson will
attempt to recreate Bleriot's flight.

Talks have been going on for the past 18 months to draw up the
plans for the celebrations which will also include a firework
spectacular on Dover seafront, and a flypast by the RAF Battle of
Britain Memorial Flight.

Mikael Carlson will be one of four
pilots flying Bleriot planes across the Channel and they will
attempt to land at the Duke of York's School, which is also
celebrating 100 years of being in Dover this year.

Many other small planes will
accompany the four on their flight.

The Spitfire, flown by Air Marshall
Cliff Spink, flew over the guests at the launch event at the
school.

The local councils hope the weekend
of celebrations will attract hundreds, if not thousands of
visitors, to the town.