A CHRISTMAS fundraising event for Southend’s iconic Vulcan is set to feature a guest speech from one of the aircraft’s former pilots.
The Vulcan Restoration Trust’s Christmas Buffet will take place at Hakwell Village Hall on Saturday and will see fans and supporters of the Cold War bomber come together for the festive event.
Vulcan pilot Peter Merrifield, who flew the plane in the 1970s, is set to deliver a much-anticipated speech on his experience inside the historic jet’s cockpit.
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Peter joined the RAF in April 1968 and flew the Vulcan B2 from 1970 to 1975, before going on to serve an operational tour in Germany.
In his talk, Peter is set to cover the history of the Vulcan, what it was like to fly, as well as taking a look back at his time serving in the RAF.
Housed in a Southend Airport hangar, the Vulcan XL426 is considered to be a pivotal piece of Britain’s aviation history.
The aircraft is one of the world's last ground-running XL426 and is maintained by a crew of dedicated volunteer engineers from the trust.
A spokesperson for the Vulcan Restoration Trust said: “Peter returned to flying in 1990 with 201 Squadron at Kinloss.
“He then retired from the RAF in October 1994 and became a commercial airliner pilot flying the MD 83, followed by Airbus 320,321 and 330, before his retirement from flying in 2014.
“It is sure to be a fascinating afternoon and one which will also include our famous Christmas Buffet, plus dessert, tea and coffee.”
Events such as the annual Christmas Buffet serve as vital fundraising opportunities for the trust’s ongoing work.
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Volunteer Jen Paszkowski-Turner said: “Our Christmas Buffet is always a special moment for us, a time when our supporters, volunteers, and friends come together to celebrate everything the Trust has achieved.
“Having Peter Merrifield join us to share his experiences flying the Vulcan makes the event even more meaningful.
“It’s a reminder of why we do what we do, and why preserving XL426 matters to so many people.”
You can get your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-buffet-with-vulcan-pilot-peter-merrifield-tickets-1751641028469?aff=oddtdtcreator
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