IT’S not every day you get an RAF helicopter landing on your doorstep.
But that’s exactly what happened in New Mill yesterday much to the delight of local schoolchildren.
The RAF Sea King paid a special visit for children from Kirkroyds Infants School when it landed on the recreation ground off Royds Avenue.
The excited pupils, who are aged between four and seven, and their teachers walked the short distance from their school to look at the Sea King.
The visit was organised by parent governor Graham Hodgson, who is a member of Woodhead Mountain Rescue.
During the course of his volunteering he met staff from RAF Leconfield and asked about school visits.
Children from Kirkroyds wrote letters to Squadron Leader Reeks and winch-man Sgt Tamsin Walford and headteacher Chris Wood also wrote asking about the possibility of a visit.
Graham said: “The RAF have been marvellous and it was a unique opportunity for the children.
“The helicopter landed in the field and the children were all able to walk through and have a look around. It will be an experience they will never forget.”
Woodhead volunteers Wayne Thackray and Barry Gregory helped arrange the visit.
In October mountain rescuers and their search dog, Dodge, gave a last minute demonstration at the school when the helicopter visit was planned, but was called away on duty.
The rescuers used Dodge to find teacher Louise Armitage who had been hiding in a field outside the school.
