From flight paths to poetic lines - a Cessna pilot's literary ascent
By Deborah Bowyer 16th Nov 2025
Clincical scientist and pilot, Dr David Charles Somerville, has spent years researching projects and honing his flying skills following a successful career in industry and the RAF.
The former RAF Squadron leader has a love of flying and can often be found in the cockpit of his Cessna at Shropshire Aero Club, exploring the skies, getting a bird's eye view of the local area from the sky.
But Dr Somerville, who's also a talented pianist and married to his beloved wife Marjorie for 59 years, has another string to his bow - writing poetry.
His recently published book, 'Flight of Fancy' is an eclectic mix of 40 rhyming poems from over 150 the talented wordsmith has written and many of the poems link to the Rode Heath man's life.
The poems are inspired by his love of flying, military themes and childhood memories topped off with ones written for his wife
For example, there's a section entitled 'Flying High' featuring five poems about flying.
"Flying and aircraft have been a large part of my life from being in the Air Force from a very young age to owning an aircraft where I still regularly get airborne.."
The opening collection containing four poems, is dedicated to his wife, Marjorie, herself a former scientist who taught physics at Sandbach School, including one Dr Somerville wrote for one of their anniversaries.
Seasons also feature in one chapter, including the 'Ode to Spring' poem as spring is Dr Somerville's favourite time of year.
"The first poem of this section came to me when being kept awake by the rhythmic patter of dripping rain following a heavy downpour that was a repetition of several rain soaked days before," he said.
Dr Somerville says in the preface of the book: "I often see and hear things that stick in my mind about life in general and my own in particular.
"These include memories from my past of things that still affect me in the present and shaped my thoughts for the rest of my life.
"The most outstanding of these was meeting my wife who has steadfastly supported me throughout and continues to do so some poetry is dedicated to her."
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