I went to Cosford in '09 and '13 which, traffic-wise, were probably the two worst years Cosford had seen recently. I also attended the Duxford show last year where the two Lancs attended, and numerous other shows with either terrific weather or terrific items, or both, but I've never seen traffic as bad as the traffic I saw on the weekend.
Perhaps it was down to the Vulcan, but even so, other small shows manage it, and there wasn't really any other standout "star" items for families (Blenheim, perhaps, but that might be leaning more to wards attracting enthusiasts).
The traffic really was poorly managed. I never condone social media abuse (of which there was a LOT), but the substance of the complaints wasn't without merit, and the organisers really do need to have a look at next year's traffic management. It'll be a difficult sell for next year's show going on this year's experience.
It's pretty cheap (
) to blame those without tickets. There were no signs up near the show saying advanced tickets only, and ticketless families should have only been a factor in the morning. There should have been no families without tickets trying to leave the show in the evening, and the traffic was just as poorly managed then as it was earlier on. It doesn't wash to blame it all on ticketless attendees.
The press-release also notes a failure of any plan to deal with those without tickets attempting to turn up, which shows remarkable lack of foresight.
I'm not sure how the organisers could refund those who didn't get in. Not to say they aren't deserving, but I don't think there's anything to stop everyone claiming they didn't get in.
It's done now, though. The organisers should properly assess the failings of this year's show, and I wish them all the best in resolving them for next year.