Former employees of a defunct Radlett-based aircraft manufacturer welcomed the Mayor of St Albans to their reunion last Friday.

The Handley Page reunion, which took place at the Caledon Community Centre in London Colney, saw more than 70 member of the Handley Page Association enjoy an evening of reminiscing, with an exhibition of memorabilia about Handley Page Limited put together by former employees.

The aircraft manufacturer was a major employer in the St Albans District for over 40 years until its demise in 1970. T

he company designed and built large airliners and heavy bombers throughout both world wars and into the Cold War era.

Councillor Geoff Harrison, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: "It was a privilege to meet up with these experts who helped make the aircraft history.

"As part of Handley Page Limited, they were involved in making the Herald and Jetstream airliners in the 1960's and the Victor's nuclear deterrent.

"Before that, their company made aircraft used in both world wars and the Hastings transport used in the Berlin Airlift of 1948-9."

Chris Scivyer, Chairman of the Handley Page Association, said: "We are very grateful to the Mayor for his enthusiastic support of the Handley Page Association's Night of Nostalgia.

"Our association was formed to keep the memories alice and also to foster the spirit of innovation and engineering ingenuity which were hallmarks of Handley Page.

"It is testament to the kind of company Handley Page was that so many people attended our reunion. We especially want to pay tribute to all those involved with the Victors, part of Britain's V-force nuclear deterrent."