New online exhibition and video mark the 90th anniversary of Amy Johnson's legendary solo flight to Australia

This week marks the 90th anniversary of the culmination of the famous solo flight to Australia by legendary local aviatrix Amy Johnson, and Sewerby Hall and Gardens and East Riding Museums are marking the anniversary.

Amy Johnson (1903-1941) was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia : the flight lasted from 5 May - 24 May, 1930.  It was a remarkable feat for someone whose longest previous flight was about 200 miles. She did this in a flimsy canvas and wooden Gipsy Moth biplane christened 'Jason' after the Johnson family business.  Amy went on to make a number of other record breaking flights, before joining the Air Transport Auxiliary during World WarTwo, and being killed in action on 5 January, 1941.

To commemorate her triumphant landing in Darwin on 24 May 1930, a new online exhibition called ‘Amy Johnson : 90 Years since Darwin’ can now be viewed at the Sewerby Hall website and at the new website, Active East Riding. The exhibition looks at Amy’s log book, her early life, and the flight to Darwin.

The exhibition can be viewed at www.sewerbyhall.co.uk and www.ActiveEastRiding.co.uk

Rusticus Arts have created a new Adventure Bite, ‘Up in the Air with Amy Johnson’, a fun-packed video starring Amy Johnson on her famous flight to Australia, and demonstrating the physics behind flying.

‘Up in the Air’ is Amy Johnson’s adventure as she flies solo between England and Australia in May 1930, but it also features the endeavours of some of the ‘famous flyers’ throughout the ages.

Specially created for the anniversary, the video is designed for the whole family to enjoy, and includes physical activities and crafts. Rusticus Arts are well known for their regular outdoor performances for families at Sewerby Hall and Gardens.

Rebecca Stokes of Rusticus Arts said : “Rusticus Adventure Bites are like going on a Rusticus Adventure at your favourite outdoor location, but are fun-sized virtual adventures which can be snacked on at home!

“Our Adventure Bites have all the fun you would expect – creativity, jokes and activities to try as you go along – and are designed for all the family to enjoy together!”

The new video will be featured on Sewerby Hall and Gardens’ You Tube and facebook pages on Sunday, 24 May, the exact anniversary of Amy’s landing in Darwin.

In addition, a video of the story of the flight has been posted on Sewerby Hall’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/sewerbyhall  It can also be seen on the venue’s You Tube channel: https://youtu.be/O5Z71SnOIa8

Between now and 24 May, there will be a series of posts on facebook, and East Riding Museums are also posting up an image each day until 24 May on Instagram, using a significant object from the unique collection of objects related to Amy Johnson at Sewerby Hall and Gardens. Follow on Instagram @south_cave_swords.

Marie Gascoigne, general manager, Sewerby Hall and Gardens, said :  “At Sewerby Hall and Gardens, we are proud to host the unique Amy Johnson memorabilia collection to commemorate our most famous and inspirational aviatrix, donated by her father in 1958.

“Although we cannot open for visitors at the moment to mark this great anniversary, I am delighted that we have been able to work with East Riding Museums and Rusticus Arts to create lots of online material to celebrate this pioneering woman and her achievements.”