Dear Grandstand,

The archives taught me that the RAF plane manufacturers pulled each of their planes from the Ruston’s factory on Monks Road all the way to you for testing. As the men were all away fighting, this appeared to be the job of the female workers… I know I definitely would not have had the strength to do that! I found it particularly amazing that the 1000th plane – built in Lincoln – was bombed mid air, fell a couple of feet uncontrollably, then regained control and flew back to base despite the excessive damage. Even more amazingly, a letter was written including a picture of the damaged plane, that asked the image be framed for the workers to realise their outstanding craftsmanship. You housed that craftsmanship and watched its first flight.

Yours sincerely,

Alice Saxton