Saturday, September 27, 2025

Military heritage to go on display at Caythorpe Gala

Taking place on Saturday (6th September), Caythorpe Gala will have a special new feature – a marquee displaying the district’s dramatic Airborne forces heritage.

Exhibits will illustrate how British, American and Polish paratroopers gathered in South Kesteven to train and embark from local airfields for the key milestones of D-Day and Arnhem.

The marquee is organised by South Kesteven District Council as part of its Soldiers from the Sky project – made possible by Lottery players.

Exhibits include RAF Barkston Heath, from where American 9th Troop Carrier Command aircraft carried troops and equipment to Europe.

Another exhibit from former RAF North Witham tells how elite US Pathfinder troops were first into D-Day invasion action on 5 June 1944, landing in occupied France to lay markers and hold landing zones for the incoming airborne invasion.

Other memorabilia include Operation Doomsday, when British airborne troops flew from Barkston Heath to accept the German surrender in Norway and an American mid-air training collision overhead Carlton Scroop killing decorated US veterans.

Caythorpe Gala is supported by 216 Signals Parachute Regiment as part of its annual village reunion. Airborne Signallers were based in Caythorpe in 1944 and there is a memorial to them in St Vincent’s Church.

Cllr Bridget Ley, SKDC Armed Forces Champion, said: “St Vincent’s Church and Caythorpe village have a special and lasting resonance with airborne forces, and we are delighted to support the village Gala with our heritage marquee.

“Our project is telling largely untold stories of an amazing episode in the district’s military history and this is a great opportunity to demonstrate that heritage in a very special location.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our news site - please take a moment to read this important message:

As you know, our aim is to bring you, the reader, an editorially led news site and magazine but journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them.

With the Covid-19 pandemic having a major impact on our industry as a whole, the advertising revenues we normally receive, which helps us cover the cost of our journalists and this website, have been drastically affected.

As such we need your help. If you can support our news sites/magazines with either a small donation of even £1, or a subscription to our magazine, which costs just £27.55 per year, (inc p&P and mailed direct to your door) your generosity will help us weather the storm and continue in our quest to deliver quality journalism.

As a subscriber, you will have unlimited access to our web site and magazine. You'll also be offered VIP invitations to our events, preferential rates to all our awards and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Just click here to subscribe and in the meantime may I wish you the very best.

Advertisment












Latest posts

Gainsborough to benefit from £20m ‘Pride in Place’ funding

Gainsborough is set to receive up to £20m in government ‘Pride in Place’ funding, marking a significant step forward in the town’s long-term regeneration. West...

Coders Guild opens Lincoln hub to tackle local digital skills shortage

The Coders Guild has launched a new training centre at the Mosaic Digital Hub in Lincoln, providing businesses and professionals with access to digital...

Fenchurch House staff member takes on pivotal role in Dementia Friendly Community Initiative

Hannah Mills, Senior Customer Relations Manager at Fenchurch House Care Home in Spalding, has taken on a pivotal role in supporting people living with...

Burghley Christmas Fair returns with even more festive magic for 2025

Festive drone shows, marshmallow toasting and a new marquee area will bring fresh seasonal experiences to the cobbled courtyards and grounds of England’s greatest...

Seal rescue centre urges action on ring frisbees

Campaigners are calling for ring-shaped frisbees to be removed from sale on the Lincolnshire coast due to the risk they pose to seals and...

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close