WHISPERING SMITH: Always a teary eye when the Spitfire swoops

Great stalls, attractions, displays by marching bands, motorcycle riders, Ferret scout cars blasting away, tank rides for the young and the not-so-young and literally above all, the morning flypast by the iconic Hurricane whetting appetites for the afternoon’s display by the graceful Spitfire.

Thousands of people watched, necks craned, as the sleek aircraft repeatedly turned and dived, weaved its way into the sunny sky, swooped across the beach, looped and finally did a victory roll as it headed west and home to a safe landing.

It never fails to bring a tear to my eyes and I was not alone in that..

On a curious note, though, I watched three youngsters, maybe ten- or 11-year-olds, pass me by, chatting away and not once looking skywards to the wonderful sound of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine at full revs just above their heads. Go figure!

I REGRET bringing to your attention the dozen or so venomous spiders wandering about in the UK, most of them not even native to this country.

I have had them brought to me in jam jars, had close encounters related to me and even pictures shown to me, asking if this or that is the false black widow.

For identification I refer you all to the internet! One thing is certain, while it is not a good idea to adopt one, make one a pet or in any way encourage spiders as drinking buddies, neither is there a need to reach for the Raid or a house brick, as the great majority are harmless and do a good job insect eradication-wise.

Just be aware, check your gardening gloves and wellies before putting them on, particularly if stored in a shed and remember, it is claimed we swallow a great many of them in a lifetime, especially when safely asleep in our warm, soft beds…

SO LONG and thank you, Mick Aston.

You opened up a whole new world to my family. Your flying grey hair, your colourful gear and your glass of white wine while the rest of the gang gurgled their ale, will long be remembered.

Time Team was never quite the same, or as good, without you.