Veteran leaves lasting memory

FIGHTER ace veteran Bob Cullerton has returned to the US.

But he has left behind a lasting memory.

A commissioned painting of him returning in his Mustang P51 to the war-time airbase at Steeple Morden has been given to St Catherine's Church in Litlington.

During the Second War World the church tower was an important landmark in seeing pilots return to Steeple Morden.

Veteran Mr Cullerton, 84, who recently visited Litlington to launch a limited number of prints of the painting to help towards the costs of restoring the church tower, purchased the original work.

And he decided that it should remain in Litlington.

The picture - which was commissioned from artist Spencer Trickett - was handed over to the church on Saturday.

The story behind the picture began in 2003 when Mr Cullerton had made a previous visit to Litlington.

He spoke about the importance of the tower to pilots during war-time - and was determined to help the restoration campaign.

Originally, he thought about a postcard of the church - but such an idea had been tried in the past and was not an overwhelming success.

But then the idea of a painting of Mr Cullerton in his Mustang P51 was raised and David Crow, chairman of the 355th Fighter Group Memorial UK Committee, was told of aviation artist Mr Trickett.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The original painting will be placed in St Catherine's Church, but to help towards the tower appeal a limited number of 150 prints signed by Mr Trickett, Mr Cullerton and his wife Steve, after whom the Mustang was named, are available at £50 each from the Ashwell Gallery, Dixies Barn, Ashwell; David Crow, Rutland House, 21 Hay Street, Steeple Morden SG8 0PD or Ray Leach, of Lambourn, 33a Church Street, Guilden Morden, SG8 0JD.

- For more details call Mr Crow on 01763 852405 or Mr Leach on 01763 852734.