Red Noses
RED NOSES: Very temporary Landing Ground
Location: On the north coast, roughly W to NW of New Brighton town centre
Period of operation: 29th August 1912
In 1912 the then very famous French aviator Henri Salmet had been sponsored by the Daily Mail to undertake a tour. Departing from WORMWOOD SCRUBBS in west London during May he made his way west into South Wales. Turning around to fly across the Bristol Channel, he then headed for the West country. At every major venue he was féted, quite rightly, as a 'superstar' of the age, thousands turning up to see his 'exhibitions' of flying.
Heading back he initially returned to Cardiff where he became very ill - going to London where he undertook major surgery. Making a remarkable recovery, but without any doubt starting again far too soon, he set off for the south-western parts of Midlands before heading across to the south-east of England and the south coast. From Southampton he headed north to the Midlands and the north-west
Arriving in Chester his next major venue was Preston. However, a request was made to the Daily Mail for Salmet to conduct a display at New Brighton whilst en route. However, it appears that having arrived at New Brighton, he saw that something of a calamity had occured involving a seaplane which was sinking near to the pier. Clearly this situation was hardly suitable for him conducting a display, and for some reason he decided to land nearby, at RED NOSES. Having taken stock of the circumstances, and surmising that his display was now a non-event, he soon took-off for Preston.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The newspaper article was published in the Preston Herald on the 31st August 1912.
Note: The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
NOTES: Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' has thoroughly researched this 1912 Tour by Henri Salmet. The full schedule can be found in my article - 'The 1912 tour by Henri Salmet, along with additional information.
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