Mi Amigo anniversary commemoration in Endcliffe Park cancelled over Covid fears

The Mi Amigo anniversary commemoration in Endcliffe Park has been cancelled for 2021 amid COVID fears and social distancing requirements.
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Instead wreaths will be laid on the memorial in the park by the groups involved in organising the event, without the public event.

Usually crowds attend the event at Endcliffe Park to pay their respects, and in the 75th anniversary event in 2019 included a flypast by military aircraft.

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Ian Lonnia, who runs the ‘Courage Above the Clouds’ group which supports the event, wrote: “Due to Covid-19 restrictions a decision was taken not to hold a formal parade in February to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the crash of 'Mi-Amigo'.

Mi Amigo Memorial Service,Endcliffe Park,Sheffield. Pictured is Tony Foulds sat on his beloved memorial with visitors from New York Steven and Tina Bartlett.Mi Amigo Memorial Service,Endcliffe Park,Sheffield. Pictured is Tony Foulds sat on his beloved memorial with visitors from New York Steven and Tina Bartlett.
Mi Amigo Memorial Service,Endcliffe Park,Sheffield. Pictured is Tony Foulds sat on his beloved memorial with visitors from New York Steven and Tina Bartlett.

"This is in-line with similar events being cancelled in the UK and in other countries.

"We will be in attendance that day to lay flowers at the memorial as, of course, an act of remembrance does not need to be formalised and thus the cancellation of the official event does not diminish remembering.

"The decision was made after consultations between the organisers - Sheffield RAF Association, the US Air Force, St Augustine's Church, South Yorkshire Police, the local council and in line with medical advice.

The crew of Mi Amigo who died in the crashThe crew of Mi Amigo who died in the crash
The crew of Mi Amigo who died in the crash
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"It follows, in Sheffield, the cancellation of the 80th anniversary service at Sheffield Cathedral, and other parades.

"The decision is, in our view, right and proper as safety must come first: as the crew of Mi-Amigo demonstrated on that fateful day.”

The Mi Amigo memorial event commemorates an event on February 22nd 1944, when a US Airforce B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed 'Mi-Amigo' crashed in Endcliffe Park.

The crowds gather at Endcliffe Park for the flypast in 2019.The crowds gather at Endcliffe Park for the flypast in 2019.
The crowds gather at Endcliffe Park for the flypast in 2019.

None of the crew survived. The aircraft had been badly damaged during a daylight bombing mission over Nazi-occupied Denmark.

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The event is organised by the Sheffield branch of the Royal Air Force Association and is attended by representatives from the US military.

Tony Foulds, then eight years old, was playing with his friends on Endcliffe Park at the time and saw the plane coming down. He tends to the memorial at the park, and attends the event every year.

Wreaths will be laid on the Mi Amigo memorial in 2021 on February the 22.