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The Courier
6 days ago
- The Courier
Photographer, 83, on cloud nine after Spitfire flight over Forfar
A retired Angus photographer is almost back down to earth after the thrill of a trip in a wartime Spitfire. During a lifelong interest in aviation, Brian Patterson has been lucky enough to take to the skies in some unusual machinery. But the ex-Courier lensman said the flight from Perth Airport in the two-seater Battle of Britain aircraft was beyond anything he'd previously experienced. And Brian agreed it was definitely worth the wait after fickle Tayside weather grounded the 83rd birthday thrill last year. On Thursday, he was back at Perth for the trip of a lifetime. Wife Irene, son Iain, niece Alison and her partner watched him take to the air. The flights are operated by West Sussex-based firm which opened a Perth Airport base last summer. 'Last year we got a really good look around the aircraft even though we couldn't fly,' said Brian. 'It's a beautiful thing, a stunning machine. 'But this time we arrived, I got kitted up and we were up and away. 'The wind was at the limit coming up the runway, but once we got up to about 3,000 feet it was so smooth.' The Spitfire headed east from Perth and dropped down through the cloud for Brian to enjoy a couple of circuits of his home town. He even experienced the thrill of rolls and loops in the highly manoeuvrable aircraft. And Brian was able to take control of the Spitfire during his half-hour flight. 'The movements required were miniscule. It's such a sensitive aircraft, but so smooth,' he said. 'It lived up to every expectation; it was just a great experience.' It's a far cry from Brian's days as a member of Forfar Model Flying Club flying small-scale planes in the town's Reid Park on a Sunday morning. He first flew from Scone aerodrome in an Avro Anson as a teenager in Forfar Air Cadets. And his 36-year career as a photographer with The Courier and People's Journal presented a couple of special opportunities to take off from Perth. Brian, who retired in 2006, added: 'I went up in one of the Toyota aerobatic team biplanes when they were giving a display at the Perth Show. 'I also had a flight in a blimp from Perth, which was something different.' The veteran flyer now has his sights set on another thrill. 'The next ambition is to go to Lincolnshire Aviation Centre for a Mosquito taxi ride. 'You don't actually take off, but it gives you a full power taxi with both Merlin engines running. 'I think that would be quite something.'
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sussex charity warns owners to keep dogs away from spring plants
As spring approaches, a charity is urging owners to be aware certain spring plants and bulbs can be toxic and in same cases fatal to dogs. West Sussex-based charity, Dogs Trust Shoreham, says early signs of spring are already present in parts of the Dobson says flowers such as daffodils and tulips "can be problematic for dogs, especially those who love to dig in the garden".The charity says snowdrops, rhododendrons, amaryllis, azaleas, and bluebells are toxic to dogs. It says common signs of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling, lethargy, and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing, tremors, and even seizures. Buttercups, crocuses, primrose, cyclamen, elderberry, foxglove leaves and seeds, hyacinth bulbs, and lupin leaves and seeds can also be poisonous to dogs."In some cases, spring bulb poisoning can prove fatal," Ms Dobson said."Although cases of poisoning are rare, knowing which plants are dangerous and keeping them out of reach can help prevent accidental poisoning." The charity says if owners suspect their pet has ingested these plants or spring bulbs, they must seek vet advice promptly, even if they are not showing any charity advises dog owners to make their gardens safe, to "encourage natural canine behaviours such as sniffing, foraging and exploring". This includes planting a variety of herbs at different heights and positions for dogs to find and sniff, create activities such as paddling pools to help them stay cool, designate a quiet spot with shade, and exercising them.
