ON Monday 7 August 2006, Jan Cooper undertook an emotional journey to Southport, as she flew in with pilot, Nigel Reid, at the controls of her Fox Moth which she had restored with her late husband. The plane landed on the sands of Southport beach, off Weld Road, near to where the old landing strip ended. In her hands were the goggles and a flying hat of her late husband, whose dream it was to land the plane on the beach.

The Fox Moth was originally operating from Southport beach, taking holidaymakers on pleasure flights over Southport during the 1930’s into the 40’s and Jan Cooper said, "It is so emotional to see it here. I am so pleased we could do this. I had to take his items with me as I felt it meant he got to live his dream in some form.". The flight was an historic one as well as an emotional one, as it was the first time since the plane left many years ago that it had returned and landed on Southport sands.

The flight and the landings were done to re-create the events that took place all those years back, for the BBC programme called COAST. The programme, which is currently filming season three around the UK, will be shown in 2007. It was also a test to see if it would be possible to bring back aviation to the beach next year. We hope to bring you more on that story very soon. Also landing were two micro-lights from West Lancs. Micro-Light School, who helped the BBC film. Also on hand was Neil Oliver, who is an expert on the subject. Dave McAleavy (head of Coast & Countryside) came to witness the event as well. He has played a key part in the project. He stayed as long as he could, despite having suffered a very nasty accident a few weeks back, which has left him in a lot of pain.

We would like to thank the Sefton Rangers, the BBC and the Sefton historic team, for their help and letting us photograph this amazing sight.