Sir – Dr Dawkins makes reference to the irritating noise of the fixed wing aircraft from RAF Benson, whereas here in Grove it’s the antics of their rotary residents that we enjoy.

The open fields on the northern fringe of Grove form part of a designated military low fly zone, where I’ve been told that ‘ten foot separation’ is permissible.

In fact, often all I’ve been able to see of the helicopters from the house as the Pumas and Merlins whizz past a few hundred metres to the north is the sight of the rotor head just visible over the top of the adjacent garage roofs.

It’s not only modern types that use this area, but the occasional vintage warbird too; a few weeks ago, we were treated to low-level rolls and loops by a P40 Kittyhawk.

And Robs Lamplough used to be a regular performer here in his P51 Mustang. Mr Lamplough has not only sold Grove Technology Park, as recently reported in the Herald, but his Mustang too, so now I guess I’ll just have to make do with the antics of the helicopters.

Malcolm Martin
Churchward Close
Grove