EYES were fixed on the sky as Brooklands Museum honoured the 70th birthday of Sir Barnes Wallis’ famous bouncing bombs.

Wallis, who spent four decades working out of the Vickers-Armstrong Aviation Factory, engineered the device that made the Dambuster operations such a great success.

A Lancaster Bomber (below) – the aircraft used for the 1943 raids – soared through the air on Sunday in honour of the great engineer.

MEMORIES – Byfleet resident Vic Benson worked alongside Barnes Wallis at Brooklands

Watching it together with some 2,000 other awed spectators was Byfleet resident Vic Benson, the museum’s guest of honour and former colleague of the great Wallis himself.

Vic, 93, was drafted in to join Wallis’ team in 1942, working at Foxwarren Park, near Silvermere.

Vic is the only known surviving member of the Wallis team. Although he never worked on the bouncing bomb, Vic did play a part in two other Wallis-inspired projects.

The first, called ‘Highball’, was an explosive based on the design of the bouncing bomb, and was intended for use on-board the smaller Mosquito fighters.

The concept never saw military action, but a third type of explosive, the ‘Tallboy’, was eventually used to sink the German battleship Tirpitz in 1944, thereby ending the Nazi occupation of northern waters.

Asked what it was like working alongside the famous man himself, Vic said: “He was around all the time and always very much on top of everything.

“Whenever something wasn’t right, he wanted to know about it and he would find out what was happening.”

Vic also explained that the technicalities of the bombs – such as balancing them so they would not vibrate as they were spinning – were among the most demanding aspects of the project.

But despite coming under fire, placing their own lives in serious jeopardy, Vic and Wallis knew they had to keep on working.

He said: “When they bombed us out, I thought we’d be finished.

“But we gathered up all the parts that weren’t damaged, moved them across the site and started up again.

“They shot us up there as well, but we still kept going.”

Museum marketing manager Paul Stewart said the aircraft’s flight was a very poignant moment for all involved.

He explained: “I think the amount of people who turned out shows just how important it is, not only for older generations, but for the education of young people and the preservation of the legacy.

“It was the commemoration of a very significant moment in the war, and the Lancaster fly-over brought home how real the work of Wallis was. The breaching of the dams slowed the German war machine and put the fight in our favour.

“To our knowledge a Lancaster Bomber has not flown over the Brooklands Museum since the war, so it was really quite emotional.”

RIDERS took to the streets as the cycling revolution made a barnstorming return to Woking roads on Sunday.

After running for two decades, the town’s popular Bikeathon was scrapped last year, but subsequently revived by the Woking Rotary Club.

The fundraiser gave residents the chance to get on their bikes for charity, and with more than 1,000 riders taking part, organisers are hopeful of generating a massive sum for local organisations. The Rotary club’s events chairman, Terry Smith, said: “It’s got to be good news raising money and getting everyone round Woking safely – it was a success for sure.”

Two routes were on offer for cyclists who paid a minimum of £5 per head to compete.

A 14-mile trek took riders as far as Chertsey, while the longer 29-mile journey took fundraisers through Egham, Chobham and Horsell. Both courses started and finished at the Bishop David Brown School in Sheerwater.

Emma Swan, 34, a spectator from Woking, said: “Me and my boyfriend were supporting my Dad, but we now wish we had taken part, as we’ve seen the community spirit involved.”

Charities to benefit from the day include Woking & Sam Beare Hospice, the White Lodge Centre, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, The Children’s Society and Woking Community First Responders.

Joseph Fabbri, 29, who watched the race from Horsell, said: “I came down last year to cheer on my brother, and I enjoyed it so much that I came back to watch it again, even though he’s not taking part this time.”

Steward Michael Steel, 65, said: “I stood ushering cyclists at the corner of Chobham Road and Victoria Way all day – it’s great! I get to encourage them and soak up the sun at the same time.”

CHARITY chiefs earned their stripes – and spots! – in a scintillating Safari Supper that transformed Foxhills from a golf resort into a game reserve on Thursday.

The extravagant walk on the wild side, laid on by New Haw charity Eikon and Surrey Chamber of Commerce,crossed fundraising with business networking at the glamorous Ottershaw resort.

LEADER OF THE PACK – Chris Hickford is the founder of Eikon

The evening is set to generate more than £10,000 for the organisation through a raffle and auctions, ably led by international business consultant, Michael Maynard.

Eikon, a charity which provides support to vulnerable young people through youth clubs and in-school counselling, currently have staff in four schools, including Fullbrook where their head office can be found.

Generous guests were given a roaring welcome by students of the Guildford School of Acting, while talented pianist Joe Lee of Party Pianos dazzled diners with his delicious display on the Ivories. The students, wonderfully kitted out as lions, tigers and warthogs, then came together in a unique melody of songs including Disney classics from the Lion King and The Jungle Book.

Prior to a musical chair-style three course meal, Charlotte (left), one of the teenagers who the charity supports, addressed the crowd which included mayor of Runnymede Linda Gillham.

Organiser Jessica Maybanks said: “All the money from the night will go towards supporting vulnerable young people in Surrey. At Eikon, our vision is to develop happy, thriving and resilient young adults who positively contribute to society.

“We believe that every young person should have someone to turn to when they are facing a difficult time in their life, and strongly in early intervention– helping young people overcome issues before they become significant problems.

“I am especially grateful to sponsors Mundays, GlaxoSmithKline, Arcom IT and Innovate for supporting the event – alongside Joe Lee from Party Pianos for the entertainment, and Guildford School of Acting students for their incredible medley.”

ITALIAN stallions – and their proud drivers – raced into Brooklands for a day of all things automobiles.

More than 1,000 cars, from the fastest Ferrari to the most unassuming Fiat 500, packed the museum grounds on Saturday.

IN GEAR – Trevor Griffiths at the wheel of his replica Maserati

Tyres screeched around the Mercedes-Benz World circuit as owners tried to attract the eye of fellow petrol- heads. Michelle Westby (right), who manned the stall of event sponsors Performance Direct, certainly turned heads, but
the day’s biggest draw was the infamous Test Hill.

Bryan Lewis, 47, pulled up in his Alfa Romeo and said: “It’s my annual challenge – I come every year and I haven’t failed to make it yet.

“It’s a great day and one for the kids really. They will all have replica models at home and it’s great for them to see the real deal.”

This year was the 27th anniversary of the UK’s first all-Italian car event.

FIVE dedicated blood donors who have saved more than 1,000 lives between them have been recognised by NHS Blood and Transplant.

The lifesaving efforts, loyalty and commitment of George Brion, Dr Mark Cartwright, Ann Harrington, David Metcalfe and Alice Porter were marked after they all made their 75th donation.

The group were each honoured with crystal awards at the ceremony at the Croydon Park Hotel, Croydon.

MILESTONE – (back) George Brion, Mark Cartwright, Ann Harrington, (front)
David Metcalf, NHS Blood and Transplant’s Ian Hamerton and Alice Potter

Mrs Harrington, from Horsell, said: “I was working as a journalist in the 1960s when I first donated blood.

“At the time I was told that my blood would go to a baby that needed it. I have carried on donating since and my three daughters all donate now as well.”

Mr Metcalfe, also from Horsell, said: “I am lucky enough to be fit and well so I will carry on donating. There is a continuous demand that needs to be met and one day it may be you or someone that is dear to you.”

Of the four per cent of the population eligible to give blood, only three per cent ever manage to make 75 donations, and just one per cent make 100.

John Canning, lead donor relations manager for Croydon at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “For these donors to get to either one of these milestones is amazing.

“This takes immense loyalty and compassion over a large period of time.

“While the blood donation process will have changed significantly since these people started donating, the need for blood is constant.

“I would like to congratulate all of these donors for their achievement.”