Fresh
from duty with the RAF in Afghanistan, Chinook helicopter pilot Flight
Lieutenant Peter Winn, from Noctorum, paid a flying visit to his old school
yesterday (23rd January) when he brought a giant Chinook helicopter to land at
Birkenhead School. 30 members of the School’s combined Cadet Force were whisked
aloft in the Chinook for a bird’s eye view of Wirral. Ft Lt Winn, who attended
Birkenhead School from 1986 to 2000, before studying at Birmingham University
and then joining the RAF, said it had long been his ambition to land a Chinook
on the cricket field at the heart of Birkenhead School’s campus.
The event was doubly significant since his mother, Mrs Christine Winn, is a
Reception teacher at Birkenhead Prep School. Pupils of Mrs Winn’s class stood
wide-eyed as their teacher’s ‘little boy’ brought one of the enormous
helicopters to land on their playing field. ‘I never thought I’d see the day my
son would come to school in a Chinook,’ Mrs Winn commented. Headmaster John
Clark said this had been a very special day. ‘To see one of these impressive
aircraft at close quarters is awe inspiring and for it to be brought to land at
our School by one of our former pupils, who has seen service in Afghanistan, was
a very proud moment. The pupils loved it, of course.’
Below are a few pictures taken on the day. Click on the image to
enlarge the view
