This corner of England has seen the evolution of some notable aircraft, Canberra, Lightning, Jaguar, Tornado. Mr Yates, in the inaugural lecture of this series last year, gave a brief historical review of the growth of English Electric and of these aircraft, indicating in particular the key part played by Sir Frederick Page in both the build up of the firm and in the design and development of the aircraft. It is most appropriate that we should again honour him here on what I regard as his home ground and in his presence.

But Sir Frederick's contributions to aerospace have been much more than local to Lancashire. He has been at the centre of the gathering together of all the elements of what is now British Aerospace PLC. He is a past President of the Society of British Aerospace Companies and has actively supported the Royal Aeronautical Society, not least as President of this Branch from 1962 to 1967.