The Alcock and Brown Centenary Project Group receives grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

A project to mark the centenary of the first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten-Brown in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber, originally designed and built in the Vickers factory in Crayford, has received a grant of £39,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The Alcock and Brown Centenary Project Group (Crayford), which is made up of members of the Crayford community, local historical and community groups as well as businesses and supported by Bexley council, applied for the funding, which will go towards the Alcock and Brown – Knights of the Air projects throughout 2019.

The historic flight left Newfoundland in Canada on June 14 and flew 16.5 hours to Clifden on the west coast of Ireland.

Commemorative plaques designed by local schoolchildren and community groups, two exhibitions and a special free family celebration day at Hall Place & Gardens on Sunday, July 21 that will include a model plane flying Guinness Book of Records attempt will all be part of the ambitious project.

The project will also include the opportunity for people of all ages to take part in the fun by either volunteering or participating in some of the aviation-themed activities.

Cabinet member for places, Cllr Peter Craske, said: “This grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will help us to ensure that local people will be able to learn more about the vital part that our borough played in an event that shaped the future of world aviation.

We are committed to offering our full council support for this project in celebrating this fantastic local achievement.” The HLF funding will cover part of the cost of the project.

The remainder will come from donations from local groups, businesses and individuals.