Throckmorton Airshow cancelled

The "devastated" couple behind Throckmorton Airshow, Samantha Jones and Angus Nairn, have blamed new regulations and insurance increases for the last-minute cancellation, that has left thousands of aircraft enthusiasts from far and wide disappointed.

They say last year's Shoreham Airshow crash, which killed 11 people, has "turned the industry on its head" - leading to new regulations, an increase in insurance fees and low ticket sales.

The organisers were hit with a £9,000 increase for third party insurance bill only this week and display teams and pilots were also still struggling to receive Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval ahead of Saturday's show.

They took the "difficult" decision to cancel late on Wednesday night, as they faced up to not being able to recoup costs or raise money for their chosen charities, RAF Benevolent Fund and Midlands Air Ambulance.

People who bought tickets have been told that refunds will be given "in due course".

Miss Jones said: "It wasn't a decision that was taken lightly. We are devastated and then we read comments like RIP Throckmorton and it feels awful.

"We have put in so much hard work and effort to put on the airshow and organise it in our spare time only to have to cancel it."

The airshow costs £85,000 to run and the couple who "organise it from their kitchen table" spend almost a year putting it together between their full time jobs.

The couple had been up until 1am contacting and corresponding with people, pilots and suppliers about the cancellation.

They hope to return later in the year with a "Fly In" event.

Mr Nairn said: "Shoreham has turned the airshow industry on its head.

"We are the third airshow which has been forced to cancel this year and I am honestly devastated.

"There was so much I was looking forward to at the show, we had a RAF Typhoon, a static Chinook for people to look around, the Falcons were coming for the first time and a C17 flypast.

"All our hard work and planning in our spare time for the last seven months in between working 12-hour shifts- it's been like having two fulltime jobs - only to have to turn around two days before to cancel.

"All that hard work has just gone to waste."

Helen Stevens, of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “It is an enormous shame that the Throckmorton Air Show has had to be cancelled this year.

"Over the years the organisers volunteer their time to put the event on, which has been a great attraction for the public, and also raised a great deal in donation for two good causes.”

Lol Haines, from Evesham, had been going to the airshow since it began nine years ago and is disappointed it has been cancelled.

"It's sad. I'm sure if the organisers came forward and said they had money problems many of us would have given a donation to keep it up and running.

"I hope it returns but giving people just two days notice is bad."

Susan Griffiths was planning to visit the show with her family.

She said: "I had only been to Throckmorton for the first time last year and we absolutely loved it, it was wonderful which is why we planned to go again.

"I really think it's a shame. There's a risk to all sorts of sports.

"It's a shame because so many people enjoy things like that, I absolutely adore planes. I'm bitterly disappointed."

Mike Neville, director of strategy and fundraising at the RAF Benevolent Fund, one of the charities the show was set to support, said: “Clearly we are saddened to hear the news that the organisers have taken the decision to cancel this year’s show.

"As volunteers who give up their own free time, Samantha and Angus are dedicated to producing the best show they can and it is extremely disappointing for them, the visitors, traders and display teams that this decision has been made.

“As one of two main beneficiaries for this year’s event, the RAF Benevolent Fund will lose out on a significant amount of income, in the region of £25,000-£45,000, and also the opportunity to meet supporters and create new ones.

“Last year Throckmorton Air Show donated £56,000 to local charities so the cancellation of this year’s event will result in the loss of a likely significant donation to the Fund. This shortfall will need to be made up with fundraising activities elsewhere.”

The Worcester News has contacted the CAA but no comment has been received at present.

*THE STATEMENT FROM THROCKMORTON AIRSHOW

WITH great sadness and regret the Throckmorton Air Show organisers announce that they are having to cancel this year’s Throckmorton Air Show, due to increased insurance costs and new requirements that the Civil Aviation Authority have put in place on both organisers and pilots. Despite the organisers submitting their initial application for a display approval to the CAA back in January of 2016, prior to the controversial ‘increase in charges’, permission was not forthcoming and has only been received today (Wednesday).

The organisers had initially considered cancelling the event in April due to the delays caused by the CAA not being able to make decisions and the goalpost being constantly changed over the new regulations, however as the show was intended to raise money for charity the organisers who are both volunteers decided to continue and persevered with planning.

With only a few days to go before the show, the liability and responsibilities placed on the FDD (Flying Display Director) & FCC (Flying Control Committee) as well as the event organisers personally, has resulted in substantial cost increases. As the show is held in aid of chosen charities, RAF Benevolent Fund and Midlands Air Ambulance, the organisers were left with no choice but to cancel the 2016 Throckmorton Air Show. The risk of not being financially viable to cover costs and donate monies to their two selected charities, has been a leading element in the decision.

That said, some display pilots and teams are also struggling to get CAA approval under the new regulations and also have increased costs with their own insurances and documentation to display, leaving it too tight to get confirmation to our Flying Display Director in time for Saturday’s event; safety is paramount to us and we must abide by the regulations as we have done in the previous eight years.

Event organiser, Samantha Jones, says, "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and helped towards the organisation of this year’s show, right up to and including the discussions held in making this forced decision. We are truly gutted and have put our heart and soul into organising this but sadly everything feels against us and we can’t afford to take on the financial risks. Our insurance alone for this year has almost doubled as well as cost implications for the new traffic management plan. Ticket sales have sadly been lower than normal which may be a result of the tragic event at Shoreham as most shows of our size are finding this year, so we simply cannot afford to continue’.

This is a huge disappointment, not only for the organisers, but also for those who were due to display either in the air or as part of the show ground attractions; and whom have worked with us tirelessly this last few months. Sadly, traders will also lose out on sales at what would have been the 9th Throckmorton Air Show.

For those whom have purchased tickets, refunds will be made in due course. A glimmer of hope remains for Throckmorton visitors and aviation enthusiasts, as the organisers will look into having a ‘Fly In’ event later on in the year to try and compensate for the loss of one of Worcestershire’s biggest tourist attractions. Any news on this will be shared via our website and social media in due course.

Thank you, From all the team at Throckmorton Air Show