by raymacca10 on Mon 13 Jun 2011, 8:53 pm
Plymouth Airshow 2011.
Sadly I must now tell you that Plymouth Airshow 2011 will not go ahead. Despite attracting the Red Arrows, the full BBMF Flight including Lancaster and almost every display the RAF could muster, plus Royal Naval support we were unable to proceed.
Plymouth City Council refused permission for a full fairground on Plymouth Hoe. Without ths fairground we would fall short of the required funds to go ahead in full. Police insistence that we close Hoe Road off and other health and safety requirements add thousands of pounds to the cost of the show; add to this that the council felt not enough aircraft flew last year despite the weather. This I felt was a slap in the face to the pilots who tried their very best to find a way down through the mire. We thank the pilots for their efforts, and also Michael for his hard work and support, and the helpers who braved the weather. Without them, the show might not have gone ahead at all.
We tried to relocate the show to another town but time was very short. One blessing is this could be the way forward next year, as interest has been shown from another quarter.
Thank you and a heartfelt apology to all those who offered to sponsor the show, our supporters, all those wonderful people who have offered to perform for petrol only, the RAF, Royal Navy and Army for their support, the carnival giants who were to attend from far and wide and to all those who just enjoy the show.
We have kept the airshow going for26 years. It was never an easy ride with the council. We will support our local performers with an outlet to perform and we will add other events. Who knows? The airshow might return to the city itself, but certain things need to change in the meantime.
RAY.
