ORGANISERS of the seventh annual Flying Man Festival in Pocklington are gearing up for their biggest event yet this weekend.

The Flying Man festival, celebrates the life of Thomas Pelling, an intrepid showman who fell to his death from the town’s All Saints’ Church in 1733.

Fittingly, the festival raises money for the same church.

The events will kick off on Friday with an opening ceremony and reception, including a hog roast, Woldgate College choir, majorettes and cheerleaders, in Burnby Hall Gardens.

The intrepid antics of Mr Pelling, who donned a pair of wings and tethered a tightrope between one of the pinnacles of the church and what is now a shoe shop before plummeting to his death, are being re-enacted by teddy bears from the church tower on Sunday.

Sunday’s Air Show, hosted by The Real Aeroplane Company from Breighton, is this year sponsored by Aldi, which will open its new store on Robertson Close, Pocklington, on July 7.

All Saints’ Church will be open for exhibitions including an exact model of Pocklington’s Second World War airfield, an art exhibition by Eric Humphrey, photographs by Pocklington Camera Club and an opportunity to view the original extract from the 1733 Ledger of Thomas Pelling, borrowed from the Borthwick Institute Archives.

Phone All Saints’ Church on 01759 301827 for tickets to the opening ceremony and further information.