Last weekend saw another successful ‘Wings over Carew’ festival, organised by the Carew Cheriton Control Tower group.

The festival celebrated ‘all things military,’ including a fine display of vintage armed vehicles, static Spitfire with a working Merlin engine, which was fired up during the event, and the Welsh Tommies Re-enactment group.

On both Saturday and Sunday morning, there was a short memorial service to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the wars with the Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Williams, laying a wreath on Saturday and the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards, laying a wreath on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh took part in the service and also performed their spectacular beating retreat in the afternoon, with the Weston-super-Mare cadet band taking part on Sunday.

There was a packed programme on both days, including performances from the ATC band, Swansea Pipe Band and Irish dancers. The emergency services also attended and participants watched amazing chip pan fire demonstrations by the fire brigade, with advice and guidance on the safe use of chip pans in the home given throughout. With the police, they could try on ‘beer goggles’ to experience what happens when someone is under the influence of alcohol and the impact it has on their abilities. Visitors were also able to look around the many stalls and exhibits, including a whole range of model aircraft, ships, tanks and other vehicles.

The star attractions for the weekend were the British Army’s Parachute Regiment display team, Red Devils with their parachute display on Saturday and a flying display of a turbine powered model aeroplane on Sunday. From a distance in the skies, the model truly looked like the real thing! 

The organisers would like to say a big thank you to the Port of Milford and South Hook LNG for their financial support and to the Valero volunteers for their hands-on support during the event, as well as to all of their supporters and all of the volunteers who helped make the event a success.

Carew Cheriton Control Tower was a derelict Second World War Air Traffic Control Tower which has been renovated to its original condition by a dedicated group of local people.

As a thriving museum, it is frequented by visitors from far and wide, including groups of local school children as part of their historical studies.