Stow Maries info please

The points made on this thread about the car parking were put to our CEO and this is his reply
G-ANPK (Stow Maries ATC)

“We monitor our car parks very carefully, and are aware that after extended periods of rain there may be small areas of them that are unserviceable. In the event that we are unable to accommodate cars, we will close the car park.

We have in recent months installed plastic reinforcement in our main car park, as well as cleared previously unserviceable drainage.

It is very much our plan to raise the money to have a hard standing car park as soon as funds are available, however the preservation of our buildings is always our priority.”

Ian Flint

Chief Executive Officer

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust

One of the complaints I’ve seen, is although the event was fully booked late Saturday night, there was nothing at the gate to say this.
For those who don’t know the site, it is reached by a long single track concrete road. So it must have caused problems with people trying
to get in, attempting to get past those being turned away.
With regards to local residents complaining, there really aren’t that many properties close by that I am aware of, apart from a couple of farms.
The types of planes flying there are mostly pretty quiet, and perform within the airfield boundaries.

Anyone get any pictures ?

“They were limited to 499 visitors at the weekend by the local council. Chap we spoke to reckoned they turned away about 400 people!!”

Exactly what I thought, whilst there may be some safety requirements imposed by the CAA, I heard the main issues are due to the local residents trying to stop the development of the site and in particular the flying activities. May be somebody from the Stow Maries collection can confirm what rules are imposed. It is no good complaining to Stow Maries if the local authority are the ones to blame.

Yesterday was a tragedy, sun was out, excellent static and flying and all those people turned away.

I understand the issue around access but with the aircraft being flown yesterday it does seem to be an over reaction by the council.

They were limited to 499 visitors at the weekend by the local council. Chap we spoke to reckoned they turned away about 400 people!!

I’m only guessing but I think the problem with numbers at Stow Maries might be the revised rules post Shoreham, which are more restrictive on traffic movements near the site. Certainly at Duxford if the M11 and A505 come to a stop, so does the airshow.In any case a quick phonecall prior to the show at Stow Maries would get you the answer as to whether tickets are available.

We hope to get along there later in the week.

But how can we support them when they continue to sell out. I admit that I have never been to Stow Maries, as a static event / museum it does not interest me. But as a flying venue I would happily travel. Is it correct the site is restricted by local authority rules regarding events and how many people can attend ? If there are restrictions how can the Stow Maries site ever improve, especially if people are being turned away ?

I visited on 25-03-17 .
The car parking field on the left as you drive in was fine.
I think from what I remember they had put down some meshing down, so the surface now is good.
Great little museum, well worth a visit, and with the restoration of more WWI buildings, plus eventually period hangers in the same positions as the original ones, things look good for the future.
They just need money for these projects, so get along and support.

I’m afraid I don’t know if there have been any improvements. It was just a quick call on 01245-329358 to see what the start time was due to be.

A good job we decided against going. Do you know if they have improved the parking surface in the last three years.
The field wasn’t too bad, although the grass was long. The other area on the left as you drive in, quickly turned to mud.
We were lucky to get out before it got too bad.

Just phoned to enquire about the car parks and it’s sold out so the problem doesn’t arise. Good for them, they probably need the revenue.