 | | BBC's Andy Harper, Spitfire & Lotus crew |
Children in Need came to Duxford... and so did the rain. Buckets of it! Huge, great, whopping bucket loads of the wet stuff. But, try as it might, it couldn't dampen the high spirits of the day. School children from all over the county shrieked in delight at the sight of Pudsey. They then gave chase, like a flurry of bees in flight, until they settled on the big furry yellow one, who, in true Pudsey style, waved, hugged and handed out the odd high five!  | | Look East's Kevin Burch and 'Concorde'! |
The children were in for a fun-filled day. Planes, Pudsey and pullin' tanks were a veritable feast for the eyes and rocket making, paper twisting and gizmo-building provided a challenge for the hands. As for the grown-ups, they were all called to gather outside and help create a world record, making a human Concorde on the runway. They gathered and huddled against the wind, cheered at the sight of the sun, and all formed that beautiful big bird shape, with white card in hand, ready for Mexican-wave style action!  | | Waving 'nose' of 'Concorde'! |
All Apocalypse Now-ish, a helicopter hovered into view with our BBC film crew - the Mexican wave waved, and lo, an image of Concorde appeared on the runway. And, in true Concorde style, the 'nose' waved furiously, followed by the gathered crowd at the overhanging 'copter hovering in the sky. And, for those who weren't being 'Concorde', there was a big 'Swing Thing' in action in the American Air Museum where folk were frocked up in 1940's style swinging their all to Five Star Swing Band. For the ears, there was the huge throbbing sound of a revved-up Lotus Exige, purring out a gutteral growl at the Spitfire alongside it which replied with a dogmatic hum and whirr of its fierce propellers. The winner? Well, the winner was the crowd witnessing the graceful prowess of classic design, both young and old, demonstrating pure torque right in front of their eyes. So, day time at The Imperial War Museum Duxford was a Children in Need-fest of smiling bears, skipping children and swinging adults! Fun for all and all for fun! |
