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The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust is one of our supported charities

FOLKESTONE AIRSHOW, due to be staged next month, has been cancelled, organiser Folkestone Town Centre Management Ltd (FTCM) has announced. The decision follows intense last-minute efforts to secure guaranteed pre-event funding.                                                                                                                                           

   Airshow project manager Yvonne Holder said that because the event was free most of the revenue needed to meet its considerable up-front costs depended on getting in money from sponsorships, donations and fund-raising activities before the air show weekend.

   “In the end, lack of financial support for the Fly Folkestone fund-raising campaign meant that FTCM, a not-for-profit organisation, had to decide that the funds available were not sufficient, time to seek new sources of income was too short and the financial risks of proceeding with the event, therefore, were too great.  

  “Also as a consequence of the financial situation we ran into timetable difficulties in the preparation of an event management plan which would meet the requirements of the Shepway Advisory Group for Shepway (SAG), a partnership of agencies concerned with public safety issues whose approval was necessary in order to obtain the Civil Aviation Authority license for flying displays. After much consultation, we agreed that that we would not able to meet the deadline to enable complete plans to be assessed.                                                                                                            

  “The decision to call the show off was taken with immense regret. We know it will disappoint thousands of people.  

  “A terrific amount of work has gone into the planning of the event programme and we would like to thank companies and organisations which have contributed in cash or kind - and also the many volunteers and members of the public who have given us fantastic support”, said Ms Holder.

   “We have received a great many messages expressing the hope that ways and means can be found to continue Folkestone Airshow, and we are examining the suggestion that financial supporters be asked to carry forward their commitment so that an event with guaranteed up-front funding conditions can be staged - possibly, next year”.                                                                                                                

  Chris Kirkham, manager of the Discover Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh tourism marketing organisation and a member of the Airshow planning group, said that the three-day event had been expected to attract up to 100,000 visitors and had the potential to give a multi-million pound boost to shops and tourism-related businesses in and around Folkestone.  “The cancellation of this high-profile crowd-puller is hugely disappointing, but the rest of Shepway’s summer-long line-up of festivals and events will ensure that visitors and residents enjoy plenty of great entertainment”.