THE first-ever Padgate Heritage Day takes place on Saturday, September 8 – and the focus will be on RAF Padgate.
Thousands of recruits were trained at the former RAF Padgate camp – now largely covered by housing -and the Spitfire which was on display at the entrance to the camp is still operational today,
Many celebrities went through the camp, including rock musician Bill Wyman, cricketer Fred Truman and entertainers Ronnie Corbett and Sir Bruce Forsyth. Even George Formby entertained there.
Padgate was only a village from 1838 when Christ Church was built, helped by funding from William Beamont, who was the first Mayor of Warrington and is buried in the graveyard.
Taking place at Christ Church Padgate from 10am-4pm, Heritage Day will see more than 40 display boards showing photographs, articles, maps dating back to the 1800’s, etc.. There will be tours of the church and the graveyard where there are numerous military graves and the graves of notable people.
The day will be a family event and will start at 10am.
It has been organised by the Friends of Christ Church Graveyard, supported by Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council and the Parochial Church Council.
