From this I think we can be very certain that the shape of the airshow scene, the type of aircraft allowed to fly, style of display routine and the venues holding airshows will change forever. I wonder if some display pilots and vintage aircraft operators will start to pull out of the airshow scene as insurance premiums Etc get higher and higher, also it’s clear some displays will get canceled either because insurance Etc will make it too expensive or the enhanced safety checks will declare the venue is no longer safe.

As someone who witnessed the events of Shoreham first hand and still keep thinking about that day on a regular basis, I would never speak lightly on safety issues, but I feel some of this review is being forced because of the media frenzy. I have never seen the press behave the same after people have been hurt or killed at Rallying or other motor racing events.
I feel for the families of all those involved at Shoreham and always will, and I can’t help thinking it was a freak event that nobody could of expected. I am trying not to read too much in to Hunters remaining grounded and it was to be expected that vintage jets would not be allowed to carry out aerobatics over land while the investigations is still ongoing.

All I know is the airshow scene will change forever and only time will tell what the effects of these restrictions will be.

As a teenager Eagles songs of love, heartbreak and moving on
Kept my soul alive and made me strong
As a 15 year old a large part of my dreams were being played out through the lyrics of Glenn and Don.
Hearing Eagles tales of heartache, made my teenage love and losses made me know where I belong
I was a lonely boy, but Desperado helped me along
Now in January 2016 my world has long since changed, and now Glenn has gone.
Glenn’s gone but the music and the legacy will live on
I learnt how to “Take it easy” from the lyrics of a song and feel a “peaceful easy feeling” no matter what goes wrong.
Life feels wrong when you realise that another of your heroes has gone
But just as with Lemmy and David Bowie, the music and legacy will forever live on
Old rockers never die, they just take their music to the greatest gig in the sky
Keep them smiling in heaven, thank you and RIP Glenn Frey

I wrote this today after hearing the sad news, still feel so sad that he has left us

Don’t look where I am
Look where I want to be
Don’t look at who I am
Look at who I want to be

Today in the news they tell me we’ve lost David Bowie
A true icon who made game changing a reality
Trend setter, character maker, rule breaker
South London boy come genius music maker

In Lazarus opened a window on your soul
But I was too ignorant to understand
You were a dying man and Blackstar was your final plan
But today the lyrics of this have knocked me for six

From Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke
From Major Tom to Aladdin Sane
We loved you whatever you became
From Space oddity to Blackstar it’s been a fantastic ride
Thank you David see you on the otherside

Martin Stitchener
11th January 2016 on the news of David Bowie passing.

Still in shock at this news, been a Bowie fan for years he was a true icon and unlike many of his peers he was always able to adapt. You literally never knew what he would record next. He had been suffering cancer for 18 months and kept recording and kept it private that he was suffering such an illness.

I admit I didn’t understand his new album Blackstar, but this line in Lazarus really rings true now

Look up here, I’m in heaven

I’ve got scars that can’t be seen

I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen

Everybody knows me now

RIP David.

It does seem the weather is becoming more “Freak” over recent years and it’s also worth noting that this year is an El Nino year which throws things in to chaos anyway. The one thing that seems certain is that over last few years freak weather events have become more common, maybe its natural trends, maybe it’s global warming who knows.

Personally I think the story of whether the government mismanaged things and made the wrong cuts is one for another day, but I what is important now is that we learn to adapt to such situations for the future. We have houses being built in areas prone to flood, these houses should all be built raised up off the ground so if area floods less damage is done.
Also it may sound horrible to say it but maybe some towns and villages will need to be abandoned if the risk of flooding is too high. It seems as humans we always try to fight mother nature instead of adapting to it like other animals do, it doesn’t seem to work for us so maybe we need try another way.

I suspect after this winter lessons will be learnt and investment will go into the areas flooded, the only trouble is what happens when another area suffers same situation?, the money available for this is not endless and somethings will be judged economically rather than emotionally which will leave a fair few people upset and angry. All I can say is a feel for everyone who has been effected and I hope the weather is kinder for the rest of 2016.

Lemmy was a class act who literally lived his life to the full, nobody can deny it was a life well lived.
I saw Motorhead live once many years ago without doubt it was the loudest gig I have ever been to, can’t imagine heaven being peaceful with old Lemmy up there.
RIP Lemmy.