WELL folks, if you were near Eccleston Hill last Thursday lunchtime, you may have seen a vintage aircraft in the skies.

It was a Tiger Moth and it was dress rehearsing for our “Colonel” Samuel Cody Centenary Celebrations on Tuesday, December 29.

Our St Helens Heritage Network is unveiling a plaque to commemorate the arrival of the first powered aircraft in the skies of St Helens, thanks to a small grant from the Heritage Lottery. Our Mayor and several special guests will be there.

Why he had to land on Eccleston Hill I shall relate in my next column.

Although the Wright Brothers had flown in 1903, it was not done in Britain until 1908, by the same “Colonel Sam Cody”.

You are welcome to come along and bring your kids or grandkids and watch a famous vintage aircraft from the days long before World War II. In all, over 8,700 Tiger Moths were built.

The flyover and the unveiling will take place at around 12.30 at Birchalls Farm Shop on Prescot Road, not far from The Grapes.

Sam Cody started life as a Cowboy and modelled his career on his hero, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, becoming a skilled rider, sharpshooter and showman.

He emigrated from the USA and the first mention of Cody in England is when he is at a town called St Helens.

Later, in 1899 he was touring with his box-office hit "The Klondyke Nugget", which was playing at our Theatre Royal when it burnt down!