Southend Airshow Scrapped

I do wonder if anyone on the council actually realises that anyone other then the RAF owns / operates fast jets in this country. I would think that you have to pay the transit fuel for foreign air forces to get to the UK and possibly a display fee on top unless there is an arrangement where a display appearance could be linked in with an operational exercise.
When I read about some of the council ideas and activities in our local paper I become convinced that some of our councillors live in an alternative universe. They come uo with excellent ideas like the “shared spaces” near Southend Victoria station and on the seafront. The seafront one means that pedestrians are left with no dedicated crossing points to get from the amusement arcades and cafes to the beach. The concept is that they can wander about in the road at will and cars should stop for them. All very well but when a motorist stops and the driver behind doesn’t understand the concept of a shared space and drives into the back of the car they were tailgating it gets to be a very expensive visit to the seaside for all concerned and if the pedestrian who was trying to cross the road gets hit during the accident it tends to ruin everyones day BUT according to the council the shared space is an excellent scheme and an example for others to follow!

Good point. Thinking about Eastbourne for a moment, they get a good variation of aircraft including a hunter, tornados, jet provost etc last year. Also the Vulcan on the Saturday (which I think a local councillor paid for out of his own pocket).

So the council thinks it became “jaded” and most people like the fast jet displays? So why don’t/didn’t the council book fast jet displays in recent years such as Hawker Hunters, Sea Vixen or foreign displays? Surly it would create some variety and it would have become more interesting and less “jaded”.

Last night’s local paper said that some councillors have been wanting to get rid of the airshow for several years because they felt it had become jaded.
Apparently the main complaint from the public in recent years has been that there aren’t enough fast jets to be entertaining which tends to infer that there is a significant section of the non-enthusiast public that don’t appreciate or understand vintage / classic aircraft.
Another reason was that the council had a huge bill for extra policing even when they moved the airshow to Saturday and Sunday. The policing bill when the show included a bank holiday was even higher.
The council also claim that the show was unpopular with many local traders who felt it caused disruption and damaged trade at a time when they would have been busy anyway. The High Street traders in particular reckon that customers stay away on airshow weekend due to problems finding somewhere to park to go shopping.
Although I have lived in and around Southend all my life I haven’t been to the airshow for many years. The last time I visited getting in and out by train was like being in a rugby scrum and, with the exception of the Vulcan, the display hadn’t looked that attractive. Personally I have preferred to try to save up and go to an airfield display.
I am sorry to see the display finish but it did need a revamp and at a time when money is tight the Council just don’t have the budget to do much to improve the show.

There are also plans to revive The Great Weston Airday at Weston-super-Mare on 22nd June,in conjunction with the helicopter Museum and the town council.

Unless leaves are on the line, then it’s a bus replacement service. 🙂

Go by train………..????

Planemike

Train, what is `Train` ?

I haven’t been for many years for pretty much the same reason, and the fact parking is a nightmare.

Go by train………..????

Planemike

Until the RAF stopped using the airport, that’s where I used to go to see most of the aircraft taking part.
It’s only the last two or three years that I’ve gone to the seafront. I had no problems parking a 10 minute
walk from the sea front. Then watched most of the flying from the Cliffs Pavillion.

We may try to get down to Eastbourne this year, and make a weekend of it.

Airshow

There is a Facebook page set up, currently with 900 likes, some locals are trying to see what can be done, to keep what i am sure you will agree is a fantastic FREE airshow going.

Could i ask for a few more clicks on behalf of that group.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveAirshowSouthend

I think they are saying it is to become bi-annual but its going to be harder to do that I would think as it looses momentum.
TA

Not always the case, Sywell Airshow has bee Bi – Annual since we started in 2006 and has gone from strength to strength. People now know that it is and plan accordingly taking in other shows when Sywell is not on. We release the date nice and early, usualy the year before and with the next one in 2014 the interest is allready there now!
Give people what they want and they will come.

A real shame

It is a real shame the Southend Airshow has been cancelled. To the people who said the parking was a nightmare, all you need to do is to come into Southend from the East, park in Shoeburyness for free and travel into town on the bus ! or as we did put up a pup tent sunday evening and went both days. The weather in recent years hasn’t been too good but the sight of the Vulcan cruising silently from the shoebury end and full power climb by the Casino was something really special. The Nimrod, Canberra and sea Vixen took up the challenge late 90’s !

with all the orange people and track suits it was one in a million for entertainment 🙂 🙂

To an extent, Southend also suffered with the demise of Mildenhall.
A lot of the aircraft appearing there, also flew to Southend.

My avatar was taken at a Southend show from one of the safety boats in the ‘exclusion zone’ directly under the display.

Twas a good day.

I haven’t been to Southend Air Show for years. Mostly because very small area with people barging and pushing by me regardless as to where I was standing. It was very stressful day out and I didn’t find it enjoyable at all. It is a shame the airshow has been scrapped though and my brother goes every year.

I haven’t been for many years for pretty much the same reason, and the fact parking is a nightmare.

Is Southend becomming just a `town` rather than a `Seaside town` ?
What with the fire they had which destroyed the bowling hall (one of many fires) on the pier and the modernisation of the shopping area it would seem so. Sign of the times.

Having said all this Southend has some of my most memorable airshow moments. You could get a very unique perspective from the far end of the pier. Saw the Reds, BBMF and Vulcan close up and personal from this position one sunny day many years ago. In those far off days when we actually got some sun.

Lowestoft’s gone to. I think the days of many air shows happening at the same time in the same area are becoming limited. This could be a good or bad thing. Less opportunity for owners to recoup funds for restorations/flight costs etc etc but more choice for organisers to choice from, i wonder how much longer major air shows will continue to clash.
Legends and Shuttelworth have clashed for a few years but i think they don’t this year which can only be good.

I think they are saying it is to become bi-annual but its going to be harder to do that I would think as it looses momentum.

Yup, the same thing happened at Elvington 🙁

Maybe we will see the Lanc visiting Reculver from the North side of the Thames!.

TA

Even better to see it in conjunction with the revival at Manston or the Shepway show at Folkestone the same month!

Maybe we will see the Lanc visiting Reculver from the North side of the Thames!.
As said above, a lot of the council have wanted to drop this for a while because of the financial commitment needed.
I think they are saying it is to become bi-annual but its going to be harder to do that I would think as it looses momentum.

Essex really does need a good air show, North Weald? the Orsett Air days were great back in the 90s but unsupported by the general public.
I think we must accept that for now the glory days of the MANY air shows have dissipated into the FEW.

On a bright note, I am sure the 160 Spits heading north towards the UK would draw a few thousand to part with 100 quid a head to watch them land 😀

Finally, the cost of running such shows has gone through the roof along with a family of four visiting an airshow with say a 100 mile round trip could cost close to £300 for a day out, even Southend that was free could cost over £100 with train fare etc.

I do wish all organisers of shows this year good luck and lets hope the weather is kinder to them too.

TA

Southend council has decided to scrap it’s annual airshow and close the pier for two weeks in order to save money. It’s a real shame to Southend and also airshow acts. I know that Peter Teichman has been a regular performer with his Hangar 11 collection. The show has always been a hit with many warbird and vintage jet operators and it will be a real loss.

http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/southend/10160485.Southend_Air_Show_scrapped_and_pier_shut_in_budget_cutbacks/

The cancellation of any show is sad but at least the south east gets a revival of the show at Manston – the South East Airshow, as already posted here.