In response to a story in The Gazunder alleging that he'd be attending along with usual suspects Sir Roger Gale MP and Laura Sandys MP, Simes sent this rather sharp tweet back to the hacks: 'I have not confirmed anything other than I am working on Saturday!!'
In all likelihood he'll be up in his teeny-tiny plane, hand on joystick, tugging a banner over Old Trafford. Which seems to be his regular gig these days.
Hey-ho. Support for the 'Save Manston' campaign has hardly set the tarmac on fire. I've seen only one 'Keep Calm and Save Manston' poster displayed on the island (in Westgate, natch!), and the mini-mob in the photo seems to be composed of a few old gippers and some embarrassed children who've been dragged along by their grandparents. Do they really think they're going to fill the Winter Gardens? I expect some of you will tell me tomorrow!
Meanwhile it's been revealed via one of those Freedom of Information thingies that Kent County Council couldn't be arsed to even look at the legals when the current owner, Scottish squillionaire Ann Gloag, bought the place for a quid off Infratil last year. Neither, indeed, did KCC's Tory leader Paul Carter, aka Sir Paul Ruddyfaced-Man. And they're not even bovvered about casting their glass eye over any of Sir Rog's current 'negotiations'. Here's what KCC's FOI response says:
I can confirm that neither Mr Paul Carter, nor any officer of Kent County Council (KCC) holds any information relating to the Heads of Terms or the sale by Infratil of Manston Airport. Also, neither Mr Carter nor any officers of KCC were they shown any Heads of Terms either by the buyer or the seller or any third party. Furthermore, KCC holds no information on how many and which businesses who asked for the closure of the airport were prevented from taking it over and in response to your third question relating to negotiations reported in the media, KCC holds no information that you requested. KCC has not been and is not a party to any of these negotiations.
Which is quite surprising really, given the kerfuffle KCC and Sir PR-M have made about Manston. What with their talk about a new railway station, planes 'flying straight out to sea', 'longest runway in Britain', and the like. Not to mention all the lovely taxpayers' lolly they've lavished on it over the years.
The words 'washing', 'their' and 'hands of it' spring to mind. You do have to wonder whether they were just using the place as a stalking horse to chase off Boris Island, thus keeping their lovely, northwest Kent cottages nice and peaceful at night.
Needless to say, Paul Carter, like Biggles, is not a 'confirmed guest' for tomorrow's meeting. Happy landings!!
210 comments:
1 – 200 of 210 Newer› Newest»Simon Moores is an experienced pilot, owns an aeroplane and earns a living flying it. To a few this makes him a someone to despise. This I do not understand.
So - is Manston Parkway still on the cards? Given Mrs Gloag's interests in rail transport... Now that there's no airport to link with, it would be a shame to dig up all that good agricultural land. Or are the headbangers still continuing with the project?
I rather think that the head in sandy's still applies
I think the campaign group are doing a great Richard as your a Thanet blogger I find your posts to be quite off the mark and downright negative, do you ever have anything positive to say? or do you like to wallow in negativity bandied around by media groups who trott out the same shit you do.
If you're referring to me, 2:27pm, then I have to assure you that I do not 'despise' Simon. If you had followed this blog for the last nine years, you would see that there has been a certain amount of badinage between me and him, most of it good-humoured. Apart from the times when I have called him out for a certain amount of, er, hypocrisy. And then there was the time he threatened to sue... Um...
As for Manston Parkway, Mr S, I think KCC are in the process of walking away from a dead duck. The chances of them crossing Roger's palm with silver to save his precious airport, which seems to be his last drink in the last chance saloon, are about the same as one of those knackered old jumbos that are parked up there taking off any day soon!
Au contraire, 2:46pm. I am countering the massively over-optimistic sh*t which the local media pumps out. After all, it was them what told us there would be '10,000 Jobs!' at the airport by now! Ha!
Perhaps you should keep your sh*t up your a*sehole, where it belongs, in future? Only suggesting.
Well I suppose you had to write something, Richard, to cheer up poor old Dim Tim after the previous posting. For someone who claims to be an advertising guru, Tim has evidently not done much research on the PR/Marketing side. Such reveals that one poor review can outweigh dozens of favourable ones, so the comments on the last post will have hardly helped Surin trade. What a silly man and it was all so unnecessary.
Anon 2.27, I don't think anyone "despises" Moores because he is a pilot and runs a successful aviation business. That would be a very strange position for anyone to adopt - unless of course he had caused them harm through his commercial activities.
Many do have strong negative feelings about him, and have, over time, offered the following as their reasons:
boastfulness
constant self-promotion
"imaginative" representation of his personal achievements
manipulative, waspish and snide attacks on political opponents
to cite just a few.
I hope this is helpful. I agree with you that to direct hatred at him for being a qualified pilot would be unacceptable.
I'm no big fan of Dr Moores, but if he manages to save the airport then I'll gladly kiss his *rse. In public.
I'll bid for the Polaroids!
What a shame 3:06 that you are not brave enough to put a name to your decimation of another's character.
Why would anybody waste a load of aviation fuel flying a few hundred miles just to fly a banner over a football field? Think of all that pollution being emitted on what is just a long distance joy ride.
Actually 3:24, it is a commercial advertising operation for which the aviator is paid. I would have thought, as a big time advertising executive, you would be aware of that.
Actually, I lie for I don't think you are aware of anything.
There are hundreds of posters around Thanet..
They aren't using the main hall at the Winter Gardens ..
I repeat that the airport will not close .. and the input of SMA and WNM has made no difference to that fact..
Exactly 3:49, they're using the Queen's Hall (capacity 400) instead of the Main Hall (capacity nearly 2000).
Well thanks for all the kind and not so kind words here today. I'm hoping to raffle a Man UTD shirt for charity on eBay, should anyone feel generous. As for over imaginative" it was not so long ago our friend here was alleging that being a pilot was another of my 'Walter Mitty fantasies' but perhaps being a politician counts as one too.. who knows anymore!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281319314027
It would be wrong to make this strand just about you, Mr Moores, but having authored the 3.06 comment, I can say that I have never questioned your job/qualifications as a pilot. You appear to be confusing me with someone else who has, perhaps, challenged you in the (recent or distant) past. I suspect there are many in the local population.
Its nice of the Winter Gardens to give people who have trouble with numbers a room. I hear that they have asked a few MPs to help them.
I don't believe the Parkway station was ever actually on the cards - other than in the imaginations of a few local politicians who seemed to think that having it on some plans would make the housing development (and - though exactly how was never explained - the port) look better.
The hurdles required to build a new train station are massive. It is not just a local decision to be made by the planners of KCC and TDC.
The idea that Network Rail, Southeastern and whoever else needs to be notified and consulted would allow a train station to be built in an area which already has 7 stations is balmy. Maybe if it was a single parkway station to replace all the others, but I doubt it even then.
Whaaaat? KCC were never even informed of the Glaog purchase and plans for Manston?
Well done ECR as this is very concerning after all the KCC money spent on KLM, car parks, EUjet and now Parways.
In the Gazette I note Manston debts too from Botswana Airways and details of the high air pollution.
When will the Police investigate the removal of the air monitors by TDC and KCC with Infratil? Everyone in the South East has been affected by this crime.
Moores' banner won't be advertising the 0% corruption that's for sure!
In a word, 6:35, never because it is not a crime.
This "Save Manston" bunch are a weird looking lot. There's one who thinks he's Tom Cruise and another one who looks like Ian Hislop. And there's only 18 of them.
I read the ridiculous letters in this week's Gazette and they're clearly losing the plot. They keep banging on about anti-airport campaigners. But there has never been an anti-airport campaign. The Manston Airport Group only ever campaigned for reasonable controls and the No Night Flights Group were even more targetted, wanting only to restrict night flights to the kinds of levels seen at other airports.
I know it's a mistake to respond to the petrol heads. They're only thrashing about in impotent rage trying to find someone to blame. After 15 years of talking the airport up it must be very hard to find out that you were wrong all along, that it has no potential and that you have only yourself to blame because you weren't capable of putting aside your prejudices when you looked at the evidence.
I hope the airport closes soon and closes quickly. It really isn't doing anybody any good to have this debacle dragging on and there isn't any point in letting the petrol-heads run away with a campaign that is doomed from the outset.
One final thing I think is worth mentioning. When MAG and the No Night Flights Campaigns held meetings they ALWAYS invited representatives of the airport and of the pro-airport lobby to address the meeting. More often than not these people made fools of themselves and did more for the anti night-flights cause than any anything Steve Higgins could ever have done. I just wondered why the petrol-heads haven't invited anybody from MAG or No Night Flights to address their meeting. Presumably, they are afraid of open debate and only want a meeting where everybody agrees with each other...which tells you why the airport is doomed; the only people backing it are small-minded and parochial; not so much a local shop as a local airport.
Botswana Airways or whoever they actually we're have nothing to do with Manston. I promise you an aircraft of theirs has never been to Manston. I thought Air Atlanta were on those premises actually?
If half a dozen flights a week creates that much pollution and disease locally you would expect court cases galore around Heathrow and Gatwick.
7:14 to the power of 3, are you so proud of your piece of prose that you had to publish it three times. Actually, it is not that good and the bit about not inviting the anti airport voices, well it is a public meeting that anyone can attend. Why don't you turn up and speak up for the case for closure.
Why do TDC and the Gazette say Botswana Airlines owe £25k in tax then 7:17?
Manston is less than half a dozen flights now but certainly wasn't with EUJET/Ifratil/KLM were they? And the plans were for at least 30 flights per night.
Infratil have to be admired for removing the monitors and poisoning you and your family. Why you defend that I'm sure you can explain?
The retired CO of Manston MOD/FIRE last week in Gazette was equally ridiclous pretending he know nothing of the pollution there or job losses scaremongering. Saving in tax more like!
Garbutt, do us all a favour and shut the f**k up, there's a good chap.
If we had $1 for every time the Tim-obsessives accuse someone of being Tim we could all buy Manston for them! Although they'd still mess up how it was run! Garbutt for Mayor: Time for Change.
"A certain amount of badinage".
Yes the good humoured spat about, "Don't tell him Pikey".
A ceasefire when ECR, Tony Flaig and, dare I say it, Rick modestly supported Simon's worthy Christmas charity flight fundraiser.
And the inexorable process of history yielding its secrets smippet by snippet None of which have been at all helpful to Simon's cause.
But Simon got to tick something off his bucket list. The interview under caution by police. Achieved.
He emerged stir crazy a victim of injustice.
But still with a commendable grip on economic reality.
I look forward to further badinage.
So, after years of being told how Manston would provide economic salvation, we begin to find out how much it has cost us. The first tranche of unpaid business rates is from Botswana Airways. We await the next instalment. Meanwhile, we are left to wonder why TDC allowed the deficit to run up to £44,000. Did they turn a blind eye, as they did with Transeuropa, because it wasn't politically acceptable to do anything which could be construed as damaging the airport?
"Smippet" ? Old Thumper intake got me.
Why do some people think that because most of us are utterly sick of Garbutt and his silly comments that we are obsessed with him. Quite the opposite, in the same way he wants rid of Manston, we want rid of him.
It is indeed, time for change like time for Garbutt to be silenced.
When you say "we" 8:09? Tim would make a wonderful mayor. You don't like him? So what. Even you can see the existing lot are merely Party fanatics and have done nothing. How longer do you want them in power? Another year? 5 years? No, they have failed and you may be one of them.
8:07 is right in that the costs o Manston are now emerging. £44k for one airline? What about the others and KCC investments?
Oh yes the story that Simon overflew Pfizer during a hazardous viagra cloud rise.
Simon radioed Manston Control "Does Dim Tim know about this ?"
"Manston control to Simon. His wife says he is out there pumping up balloons with Pfizer air for later use Over"
"Simon to Manston Control he must be prepating to stiffen his resolve over"
He's such a wag that Simes.
If Tim would make such a wonderful mayor or MP, why doesn't he actually stand for election or is he barred?
8:20, please do not tell us you thought that was funny. Funny peculiar perhaps, but witty, most definitely not.
It's Ms S to you ECR - v. relieved to hear a bit of consensus forming around the Manston Parkway being dropped.
However, according to that great paper of record, the Thanet Gazette, the UKIP headbangers have a thrilling plan to EXPAND airport - with a second runway... wow, that will work out at about one plane per runway per day! Still if it gets them the 12,000 Manston lovers' votes, it's worth a bit of er, "blue-sky thinking" innit?
30 flights a night? Really?
Everything is bad for you. I live on a main road. That affects my health more than a few jets. Air conditioned offices and ready meals are bad too. I will die either way.
8:23 you're being mischevious. You know full well Tim refused to stand because the council was corrupt etc.
You make a good point though, what if he refuses to stand again? We'll be left with the same Duffers.
So answer my question - how long should they continue for such failure? Another year? 5 years? A clearout?
8:55 can we help hasten you along?
30 night flights was what Infratil confirmed (with TDC) as required.
You're right a main road is bad for you. Possibly ready meals and aircon but you seem too stupid to be believed. And airplane pollution hence removing monitors by TDC/Infratil is a crime.
Good points 8:26 what idiots UKIP are. A 2nd runway? How? Bulldoze Manston village or Westgate?
Looks like Latchford's votes haven't thought this through...
7.14's triple whammy was a spot of finger trouble methinks, so I've deleted two of them. Keep up the quality badinage!
Er, and I've let 'Pikey' through on the grounds that I used the term recently and, despite regretting it subsequently, I don't want to be labelled a hypocrite. Memories of the 2006 'Gippo' spat on Biggles' blog an' all that.
Why is Botswana International Airlines registered in South Africa? That's usually a front for gun-running isn't it? We've had a few of those at Manston and Ostend?
Next TDC will be registering Kent's biggest seafront development in the British Virgin Islands tax haven?
KCC and Gloag FOI: didn't Carter meet with Gloag to announce his delight at her taking over Manston? And Hart meets with Buchanan each month?
Where are the minutes of those meetings?
Sorry, had to delete a Tim comment there. It's OK to commit culinary suicide by calling the nation's top food critic a bully over Twitter, but not OK to spout libellous drivel on someone else's blog so they get sued. Still we are talking here about a man who preferred to go to jail rather than change the name of his PR firm because it was infringing someone else's IP, so I guess he's not too bothered about staying within the bounds of the law. I, on the other hand, am.
So keep that drivel for your own blog Tim, there's a good fellow.
Jail? Tell us more!
So it seems that TDC are trying to broker a deal to make Manston a freight only hub. I am so sick of this f**king scaremongering from TDC ruining the place I live. Cant they see its not what Ramsgate needs or Thanet. It wont be long before all the good work that has been done (for free) by the people of Ramsgate comes undone and we all give up. Its so hard and try to make the place you live better when TDC keep pulling the rug from under your feet.
Checkersfield, I will be at The Winter Gardens this afternoon making my views known! Will you???
A freight hub? 24/7? Clive must be more hair brained than he looks.
11.11
You are a child I have seen how many times you have put a snide comment up so have all the other people on here just because you live in a s**thole it doesn't mean we all do some people work hard to make the place they live better other people just sit on their computer making wind up remarks so do us all a favour and fu*k off PR*CK
11:32, coming from you that last remark is rich. At least Peter runs his own business, keeps himself fit and does not live off his wife's efforts like some.
Live with it, Manston will only be saved if sufficient people want that. If that happens your own selfish desires are irrelevant. It is called democracy.
Manston Parkway couldn't be dropped as no-one in their right mind who'd actually be responsbile for building it would ever have picked it up.
Build a railway station in the middle of nowhere, where there are no passengers to pick up in the first place? When there are two stations a ten-minute bus journey from where you'd want to pick up passengers from? After they'd have to have taken a bus journey to your new station anyway?
It was *never* more than an insult to the intelligence of the electorate, nothing more. And an dead easy one to bang on about as, of course when (not if) it was demonstrated to be unviable (by Netowrk Rail) because the investment (to be made by Network Rail) would never be returned, either TDC or KCC or whoever else would be able to blame...Network Rail!
Time for your tablets, 11:58? Is Parkway really the topic here or just your personal gripe.
11.48
You know nothing about me but its clear that you have a thing for peter not that i mind but if your b/f goes around making sh*t comments all the time hes going to get a response
As for living in a democracy thats fine but Manston is being held up by tax payers money you may sit at home waiting for your b/f to come home but some people go out to work and have to pay for your fu*king stupidity
Not you though 12:02, eh? Your trade mark on blog comments would leave no time for work. See your obsession with sex shines through as ever. You know it is possible to debate in support of someone without wishing to examine the contents of their underwear.
Interested to read that "Fantastic news" is now suddenly a snide comment. The minds, or lack of them, of some people are beyond the comprehension of the normal.
Have you watched the Council web cast? One-time blog pedant Barry James is featured. He sounds just like I expected! You don't want to do it like that ;)
Let's have a brawl on the Tarmac.
The Pro-Airport dodderers vs Everyone else.
One hour time-limit. Imagine Eppy, Chequeredpast et al in their 'Stay Calm and Save Manston' branded sportswear.
Let's do it!!,
12.11 11.09
Dont worry there is a snow flakes chance in hells chance of Manston becoming a cargo airport as there is real competition from the big boys East Midlands, Stansted, Heathrow, they dont stand a chance. All of big boys are better positioned and are already set up with big backers ready to push out any competition coming from manston.
If anybody tells you different (MPs) they just dont know what their talking about.
This is also why Manston does not have a chance
UK Civil Aviation Authority removed price cap controls for cargo services at the Stansted airport, following a two-year review of its cargo operations. Only Heathrow and Gatwick now remain price regulated.
1.43
Excellent. Simple facts that cut through the bo...cks posted here by the airport dreamers.
1.38
They'd never get to throw a punch, just end up running around saying 'You're Tim' to everyone. Idiots.
1.46
It took ten mins to find that out. I hope they don't come back from their meeting with cargo hopes. Here is something i found.
“We want Stansted to be the UK freighter hub – London needs a dedicated hub and we are just an hour from Heathrow. It’s perfectly placed. It’s been no secret that we’ve been talking to Manston’s customers for about a year already.
Good idea 1:38. Bags I take Tim.
What a poor sad demented creature you are 1:53. Are you so unsure about Manston that you have to keep writing your rubbish to convince yourself. Certainly you are convincing nobody else.
By the way, I am not saying you are Tim, but, if you are not, you should be. You share a common preference for the idiotic.
1:53, earlier you said you were going to the meeting to have your say, but, if you are still in Ramsgate at 1:53, you have left it too late. No, don't tell me, you bottled it because all the people there are corrupt in the same way that you bottle the elections you claim to be a candidate in. Why does JOKER spring to mind?
2.27 You're wee Willy Epps!
Sorry to disappoint, 2:42, but whilst getting some slight pleasure from this silly exchange, only by wonderment at the depths people can plumb, I saw nothing worth responding to so far.
Perhaps things may improve when the active minds return from the Manston meeting.
2.27
poor sad demented creature
idiotic
You say this about me without anything said about you or your b/f what will people think of you?
I'm not bickering about anybody just pointing out the facts.
I just don't want the stupid convincing the stupid MPs that a failed airport has any other option than to close. But if it makes you happy to insult people on blogs for no reason then carry on but don't expect me to keep on answering you
But you are not fooling anybody we all know you are the same person just using a Anon
2.36
Why would someone from Ramsgate go to a save manston meeting for people who support saving Manston??????????????????????????????
'Active Minds'
How funny.
2:49, funny but sometimes you accuse me of the same thing or you come up with your three stooges which can be any three from Peter Checksfield, John Holyer, William Epps and myself.
Look, just get your head round it, William Epps is far from alone in thinking you are off your trolley. You like to claim that all the anons are not Tim so why should you think you have some special way of identifying them. Most of us with half a grain of grey matter use similar phrases whilst several of those less endowed make repetitive spelling and grammar errors. It proves nothing.
2.27
Google 'Stanstead targets Manston' and see for yourself. Now shut the f..k up you blithering idiot!
Perchance, 2:56, because back at 11:19 you said you would be there. Is this an elderly thing or just a memory problem you have.
four stooges funny
They think they are above all the rest of us.
Fu*king idiots
I thought you said you were going to the meeting Checksfield?
Mental age peter
Funny how Thanet Earth didn't feel that Manston was worth using.
No wonder it's game over for RAF Duffer.
the readers will decide peter
Naughty language 2:59 and you accuse others of rudeness.
Peter, what you say makes sense, but the one track minds are incapable of seeing the bigger picture. Don't worry though because according to Tim, tourism is our big future. Always fancied a job as a deck chair attendant! So much better paid than air traffic or airport firefighter.
Any word from the MENSA gathering on the rough-side yet?
If it was not for the RAF you would probably have not been born, Tim. Oh shit, so the did get something wrong!
Allan 'Tim obsessive' Mallinson.
I don't recall accusing anyone of rudeness.
As for one track minds....
Really darling!!!
LOL 3.10
No they are all on here spouting SH*T.
3.14
FFS !!!
I'd be talking German, that's all you blithering old buffoon.
Are ex convicts allowed to stand for mayor?
Doubt it but then enough of our duffers get their collars felt when in office. Ja?
3.07
As for "mental", I'm sure you know all about that.
3.08
the readers will decide peter
It cant be that hard for you peter to understand but if it is dont chat on here
3:14, I really do wish you would make your mind up. I thought I was supposed to be the Tim obsessive and now you say it is Allan. At least we both use our names which is more than can be said for you. You just have a trade mark (well you and your minder).
Shut up very little willy
Since the lunatics appear to have yet again taken over the asylum, I am off for a stroll.
Good job BYE
Now he's gone out can I just say that I do like a man that flounces. Hot Stuff!!!
Don't like the look of you though Peter...
Lycra on the over-50 man is a big no-no...x
As I said, ditch the Lycra babe...x
Standing with your legs open like a 80s pop star good look "NOT"
Looks like an extra from a Star-Trek convention ;-)
OK Cheggers and co, you've had your fun. Now SHUT IT YOU MUPPETS! Er, yes, I am shouting!
All I want to hear from now on are comments about the airport and its future. Something about the meeting at the Winter Gardens would be useful. And no, I'm not there meself as turkeys don't generally go to meetings about Christmas.
Any more ad hominem attacks will be deleted. Thank you for your co-operation.
Btw I'm much more lenient about grammar and spelling these days as many people seem to be, like me, commenting from portable devices and we all know what predictive text can do to gjide fashion Tesco!
When are we expecting the first dispatches from the Margit Summit then?
Oooh, obviously ECR is another fatty who doesn't like mixing in the real world!
ECR..
Any predictions for the summit headline?
My guess is that Windy will announce a KCC (tax-payer) funded 6 month Moratorium. A waiver of rates etc.
When gale has finished telling them there's a future in Manston becoming a cargo only airport with 10,000 jobs.
With no one questioning him about how he has come to that figure or if there's any chance of that ever being successful.
4.04
Gloag will never go for that its losing to much money just wave business rates
A NEW BUYER HAS BEEN FOUND (CARGO ONLY)!!! YOU READ IT HERE FIRST!!! R.I.P. RAMSGATE!!!!!!!!!
No, Roger Gale has been out bid by the UKIP woman with an even bigger scheme to throw away tax payers money.
Marksman
As i have said already if so it wont last for long
Dont worry there is a snow flakes chance in hells chance of Manston becoming a cargo airport as there is real competition from the big boys East Midlands, Stansted, Heathrow, they dont stand a chance. All of big boys are better positioned and are already set up with big backers ready to push out any competition coming from manston.
If anybody tells you different (MPs) they just dont know what their talking about.
This is also why Manston does not have a chance
UK Civil Aviation Authority removed price cap controls for cargo services at the Stansted airport, following a two-year review of its cargo operations. Only Heathrow and Gatwick now remain price regulated.
So Cheggers, you want the tax-payer to pay the mortgages of the butcher, the baker and the office-stationery supplier. If they've relied on Manston to prop up their businesses they're fools as well you know.
Quality restaurants are increasingly about locally-sourced produce, though I do recognise that in your neck of the woods the doner kebab is king.
Thanet Earth use Stansted for any exports so that argument doesn't stack up either.
Prosper.
It doesn't work for cargo only. Freight doesn't just land - it has to be distributed to the domestic market. Thats why any freight that does land gets whisked off to Heathrow by lorry.
Marksman
I can't see how a few buns from Westgate demonstrates that the airport is propping up the local economy.
While we're back on topic, could I just take the opportunity to dispel the myth that the No Night Flights campaign, of which I am a supporter, 'killed off the airport'. Although the council decided to half-heartedly adopt a moratorium on night flights, there was absolutely no legal mandate for such a ban, and Manston could (and indeed frequently did) ride roughshod over what was in effect merely a democratic 'would be nice if'. Infratil knew that, Gloag knows that, which means that they must have considered the airport unviable as a business even with night flights. Which makes any talk of a 24 cargo airport a non-starter.
I'm going to pop over to Twitter now and see if there's any news of the meeting on that. A bientot!
Heathrow has a ban on night flights and a very vocal opposition group including local Tory MPs and seems to do quite well.
That's rich coming from one of the named-then-anonymous as it suits brigade!
Cheggers, do me a favour and go fuck yourself, there's a good chap. Any further incendiary comments from you will be deleted.
Anyhow I'm back from Twitter now and it looks like the same old BS has been trotted out by Wind and co. No sign of any white knight, just more guff about mystery buyers and more pointless meetings.
Manston - more comebacks than Kerry Katona!
What happened to Steve Higgins?
ECR - funny nothing's out there about the meeting. If there was a glimmer of hope surely the Manstophiles would have been shouting their heads off by now?
Well as I just reported there's the above guff on Twitter. Gazunder reporter Kathy Bailes seems to be the chief cheerleader for the Manstoners. Impartial reporting at its finest, eh?
So does anybody know if manston airport is still on track to close?
I hear Bailes broke down and wept the day the airport closure was announced. She's a lovely lady but she should not be entrusted with covering the airport surely? How on earth can she be described as objective?
The airport is still closing. The slim Scottish millionaire lady has sung, and that's all that matters.
So. The Margate Summit.
Nothing comes of it after two local MP's support, cosying up to the Transport Minister, lobbying KCC and probably TDC.
Time for a statement from Anne Gloag.
Time for facts from Gale.
Are we looking for new jobs or what?
Manston is finished. Good riddance.
Smalltown idiots and building airports never a good idea proven. How much tax was spent on this.
The car park was a million quid or two from seeda
P45s next week for Manston?
See that Nicholas Reed in the extra online.
'We'll never forget Manston'
Really?
Say's Gloag amazed at local support. Presumably less impressed that the supporters used Gatwick and Heathrow.
Usual old cobblers.
Oh, and old Windy's dragged up another buyer but 'Don't get excited' he said. We won't Roger, we won't.
What a lovely afternoon you have had, Timmy, talking mainly to yourself. I have asked you before, but why do you have to go on so if you are convinced Manston is finished?
7.16
Wrong. Again. You tedious old duffer.
7.16
Address the issues. Stop your silly guessing games.
I am appalled at the glee over the potential closure of Manston. Would there be the same amount of joy for any other workplace closing? I think not. If Thanet Earth closed, there would be no more light pollution, but nobody is calling for that to close. Why not Westwood Cross which attracts hundreds of motor cars emitting noxious fumes into the atmosphere. What must the 150 at Manston who are about to lose their jobs feel if, God forbid, they read the tripe issued by some on this blog. Most of you must be DFLs, who will complain about church bells ringing now that the aeroplanes have stopped. And of course this entry will attract you like flies round a freshly laid dog turd, to issue more vitriol for the enjoyment of those who don't have a mind of their own. Sic transit gloria Mundi.
Well said, 7:22, but an element locally make it a very selfish place. The one main culprit cares nothing about peoples jobs anymore than he does about insulting people because of their age. Look at the way he personalised his attack on Peter Checksfield. A very sick individual.
7.22
The airport and it's staff weren't too interested in everyone else's lives when they wanted the freedom to fly all night, every night.
This may be schadenfreude but at least it's honest. If you want sympathy, go elsewhere.
Garbutt, do you not realise that you are the epitome of duffer. Stupid, unproductive, over weight and yet totally oblivious to your own failings.
You were asked a question by 7:16. Why do you have to keep going on about Manston if you are convinced it is finished? Surely it must be a waste of time and effort and you should be moving on to your next pet hate.
Wrong. Yet again. But carry on.....
The Airfield lost the battle for hearts and minds long ago.
Yes 7:22 why did the airport staff allow illegal flights to pollute us all? No sympathy at all for them. Get another job.
To all of the Manstophiles, I say this - Rainbow.
The main concern is the lack of direction by the council and crimes of pollution and corruption covered up.
What a prize idiot we have here. Even BGT has to be better than trying to further this debate, but careful Tim, I just saw a Manston Airport Fire tender turn into South Eastern Road. Maybe they don't like your attitude to their jobs.
When all's said and done, it's just a failed local business.
Got you going there, Tim, for I just saw you peep out nervously from behind your curtains.
7.46
I don't know the guy but what you've just said sounds quite threatening.and stalkerish.
Shame the 15,000 who signed the petition didn't regularly fly from Manston
Shame the hundred(s?) who turned up today didn't put their hands in their pockets to buy flights instead of having a whip round
Interesting to see the politicians being swayed by a crowd. If 300 people had a meeting to suggest carving a huge chalk helmet at one end of huge runway and two massive chalk balls at the other they would be falling over themselves to support it.
I SAID NO MORE AD HOMINEM CLAPTRAP! AND NOT EVERY MANSTON DETRACTOR IS GARBUTT! P... L... EEEEEEEEZE!
Thank you, Richard, but I wonder if your plea will have any result.
On thread has anyone heard any outcome from today's meeting?
Not a stalker 7:49 I just live on the opposite side of the road to you and often see your ugly boat looking out.
7.56
A bit rich??.
Do pay attention, I've already replayed what's up on Twitter twice. More pointless meetings, more 'plans', but no substance after today's Winter Gardens sesh.
7.57
Pack it in. You're giving trolls a bad name. At least they target the right person!!!
Looking forward to Gale's statement.
The outcome is that manston is still closing.
Although the whip round gathered multiple hundreds of what Ann paid for it, it's still approx £20mil short of what it would take to buy and run it for a year.
Oh, and nobody in the Winter Gardens knows the first thing about running a successful airport otherwise they would not be in this mess would they?
7:22
Sorry to hear about your Transit.. Is that why you wanted the airfield to stay open? thought the old Transit couldn't get you as far as Gatwick?
What a weird character pops up every now and then obsessed with Tim. I like Tim more and more. Garbutt for Mayor.
The manston fire crew knock off after 6pm so can't be them.
Too fat to climb ladders too! At least we wont have chemicals sprayed every where now
8:01 Since the person did not say which road how do you know who he is referring to unless you recognise yourself. Maybe you did look out from behind the curtains.
There was a road mentioned. Remind us Willy, you're meant to be a councillor aren't you? Dear God.
Anyone got any new snippets from Camp David Margate today?
I think the truth is that people believed the MPs when they said that manston would employ 10,000 and be a real boost to Thanets purse
Now why aren't they saying to them you have fed us a load of crap.
Instead they are saying how hard they have worked and what good chaps they are.
If you look at the chances of Manston ever being like they said it would be 0% I cant see where they got those figures from????
9.12 Because too many of the indigenous population are ex-services, forelock tugging, unquestioning, blazer-wearing ukip types.
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
GAle is useless we need rid of him
Home from the pub already are we @ 9:54pm?
Home from the pub already are we @ 9:54pm?
Prefer 'Tommy Gun' by The Clash any day.
10.02
Haha! That fell flat. Repeating yerself you old soak!
I do so apologise for the repetition but sometimes it is necessary in order to make the point sink in, that and a glitch on the computer.
Peace at last. The idiot is tucked up in bed.
10.53
Next to you I expect. No spooning. Sleep well lovers ;-/
Ahoy Ricardo - smoozing it up on the tweetersphere with the loal hacks, eh?? ;)
Anyways = Gales speech here = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrqlAHd95vA
As for the numbers, I counted 20 rows with a minimum of ten per row and and additional ten with at least five in - so the figure of "around 300" was accurate.
As for the meeting - it was interesting. Gale was statesman like, literally telling people to calm down. He said a deal could be in the offing and hinted that it would be freight based. Laura (its pronounced SANDS) spoke about stuff. Russ Timpson Made sense, saying he had worked in aviation for years and appeared like he knew what he was talking about. Only to find when the facts were checked he was in fact wrong. He wants it to become a big recycling centre. Latchford said with £200M he could make it work.
The highlights for me were Clive and Iris. Iris got told to ask a question or sit down because she was trying to say that her council were not against night flights. And then Clive went on to say how he supported the airport but then a nice lady stood up and said she heard him say the night before he said something different. Que crowd booing.
I then left. I left with a couple of feelings.
By the end of next week we will know what the new deal is and if it has been accepted.
Gale has been a very good politician and has supported Manston enough to probably get elected next time.
The council realise this is damaging to them and are spinning "no night flights was not the final nail in the coffin"
And - please Mr Eastcliffe. Do something about the anons. And - I have said before anons, if you want to pick on someone - have a go with me. Leave Epps alone. Its getting very dull and the fact you hide just adds fuel to my belief that you have some serious Self esteem issues. Create a fake google account, ffs. At least we will be able to work out who is saying what!
Toodles
Cargo always was the plan and failed. Manston is doomed.
Thanks for the link 11.28
WOW what an old fool and people listen to him?
His reasons for keeping it open are so bad. Who in their right mind would pay gloag what she would get for building houses on the site.
All I see is gale trying to pull the wool over people eyes and if you think he has done a good job (without a plan B) then you must be as old as he is and losing your marbles
Please look up cargo airports and see for yourself what the competition is Manston doesn't stand a chance.
I bet that gloag is blamed for asking for to much money when the deal falls though gale already knows the outcome he is just trying to look good I hope your not fooled.
A really funny clip on the news tonight. Gale at a meeting saying that just before the meeting he'd received a letter from someone who had the funds to buy the airport. There was no offer mind you. Just a letter. Gale is presenting himself as a ludicrous figure. his job is to represent people but he is desperate to save a company that cannot be saved. What is this really about?
Manston being a cargo airport is like me saying that my small corner shop is going to take on Tesco's Sainsbury's and Asda and beat them on price
Manstons competition will be East Midlands Stansted and Heathrow
good luck with that gale and co
He did not even say if the person was interested in buying Manston
Dunce Wunky
Shut up you tart!!!
Thanks for the write-up Mr S. In fact the council are correct to point out that the closure of the airport had nothing to do with night flights. There is no legal weight behind their desire to curtail night flights. Gloag and everyone else knows that, and yet they chose not to override the council as they realise that even with night flights the airport is just a huge black hole down which to pour money.
And yes, I do know 'Sandys' is pronounced 'Sands' as I've met her a few times. It's just better fun to think of her as Sandys, because in warped mind I can then think of her hubby as Randy Sandys.
Oh dear. It's late. I'm a bit sozzled. Time to hit the hay. May I wish all my Ramsgate readers a peaceful and plane-free night. Zzzzzz.
12:51 - brilliant work! Still laughing! Clearly - your wit is too much for me! Such a wit! Well done! And very on topic! And Mr E - been necking the French fighting juice (1664) and its just not doing it to me. Sleep well knowing there will be no night flight ;) But bravo to the other anons for actually being on topic! It can be done! And come on- it does get a bit tedious just bitching at each other right? If you are going anon, at least try to be witty. Just like 12:51. Fantastic intellect demonstrated there
4 Reasons for keeping Manston open lets look at them closely
150 jobs (mostly part-time jobs)this is by far the biggest reason for keeping manston open but still you may read on and think different
national interest the RAF does not need or want Manston as a base any more that's why it left.
Losing business to other places around the world if you don't use manston to re-leave other airports.
Air traffic could increase by 60% without new airports being needed.
Major diversion field "people would be dead if manston was not there"
Not true there are many airports that could have taken that diversion.
Search and rescue "children running across the motorway"
Computer guided children with cars doing 10mph and miles in-between the children and cars
Ok those were his points for keeping Manston open
And these are my reasons for campaigning to not use public money to keep it open.
Public money is very tight and losing revenue from a major site like Manston would be very costly locally
The jobs that could come from the leisure industry on a site that size would be over 1000 it would not be a big open space with a tiny amount of people working there and the money they would spend locally and if you look at gloags record for taking public money you will see how much she has taken.
pollution all you have to do is read up on what comes out of a jet engine it travels for miles on wind so its not just under the flightpath.
Now if Manston gets enough flights to make it money to keep open, pollution will be a big problem for all of Thanet and further.
Tourism people dont want to come and lay on a beach with aircraft flying close overhead it stops people from coming and spending 100s of millions that's Thanets potential loss
If the same lobbying was done to make Thanet a tourist place once more instead of saving Manston we would all be rolling in it.
4 Reasons for keeping Manston open lets look at them closely
150 jobs (mostly part-time jobs)this is by far the biggest reason for keeping manston open but still you may read on and think different
national interest the RAF does not need or want Manston as a base any more that's why it left.
Losing business to other places around the world if you don't use manston to re-leave other airports.
Air traffic could increase by 60% without new airports being needed.
Major diversion field "people would be dead if manston was not there"
Not true there are many airports that could have taken that diversion.
Search and rescue "children running across the motorway"
Computer guided children with cars doing 10mph and miles in-between the children and cars
Ok those were his points for keeping Manston open
And these are my reasons for campaigning to not use public money to keep it open.
Public money is very tight and losing revenue from a major site like Manston would be very costly locally
The jobs that could come from the leisure industry on a site that size would be over 1000 it would not be a big open space with a tiny amount of people working there and the money they would spend locally and if you look at gloags record for taking public money you will see how much she has taken.
pollution all you have to do is read up on what comes out of a jet engine it travels for miles on wind so its not just under the flightpath.
Now if Manston gets enough flights to make it money to keep open, pollution will be a big problem for all of Thanet and further.
Tourism people dont want to come and lay on a beach with aircraft flying close overhead it stops people from coming and spending 100s of millions that's Thanets potential loss
If the same lobbying was done to make Thanet a tourist place once more instead of saving Manston we would all be rolling in it.
Duncan Smithson. You have hit the nail firmly on the head on while gale has been blowing up a storm about Manston;
Gale has been a very good politician and has supported Manston enough to probably get elected next time.
After all, nothing else to him.
Good point 12:29 and the scrabbling around by the politicians seems to be be because they have no alternatives - and all the details will emerge after manston closes.
I commend this blog for the excellent opportunity it provides for care in the community and of ex offenders.
Still nothing concrete coming from the bunker overnight then? Gale reminds me of old Nev with his famous bit of paper.
Dunky, since when was bleating on about Anon comments er, 'On-Topic'?
By the way, your Polytechnic-insecurities about your own intelligence are laid bare for all to see here. If this were 'Just a Minute' you'd have been taken down for repetition within seconds. To think you put a name to your 'Anon' obsessions - even troubling Bibliobloke's art jotting blog with your rumblings.
Give it a rest and stick to the issues. If someone shouted 'Fire' in a crowded theatre I expect you'd demand to see their driving licence before you ran for the exits. Hope the analogy helps in some way. It can't be easy for you.
The solution. Build a school on the site, Manston, and compulsorily send there all the anonymous contributors who can't spell, punctuate or use capital letters where necessary, so that the level of debate can be raised to sixth form level. Talking of teachers, why don't they go on strike in August?
Lots of discussion about the 106. When, not if, it stays open, there will be a new 106 after all Thanet residents are invited to give their thoughts. Then, there will be no monitors and no all hour restrictions. Fewer airport staff as no pax related jobs, but a busy profitable airport with new companies on site creating their own employment.
Duncan, some good points and thanks for your support though, to be honest, these anons with their silly comments do not really bother me.
On Manston, as I have said all along, it will continue or close on factors highly unlikely to be influenced by the witless few on a blog site. Sir Roger is putting up a good fight and I hope he succeeds, but nothing is a foregone conclusion.
I used to enjoyed debates on these blog sites, even the bits of cut and thrust, and some useful opinions sometimes emerged. Now, sadly, it all seems to have degenerated to the level of playground contradiction and silly insults. What kind of mind derives satisfaction from calling someone Little Willy or, collectively, old duffers. Especially when many of the old duffers have far sharper minds than the said commentator.
Anyway, it is the day of rest so you enjoy yours. A spot of gardening calls.
There are still 100+ full time jobs at Manston, 40 or 42 hour contracts, the part time jobs where there for KLM.
The people pushing for a freight solution don't understand the airline business, and they don't understand how busy an airport has to be to break even. Most freight is carried in the bellyhold of passenger flights. There are relatively few freight-only flights and they don't pay top dollar for their landing slots. Even if Manston were able to attract ALL of the UK freight-only business, it wouldn't break even.
I think the key here is to listen carefully to the words which are being used. Gale was on the news commenting on his mystery buyer and saying that they now had to persuade AG to sell at a reasonable price. This is the nub of the matter. What does Gale think is a reasonable price?
AG only paid £1 for the airport, but she took on board several hundred thousands of pounds of debt. Since buying it she has run up a further couple of million in debt (and counting). There will be further costs incurred in shutting it down, including monies that will have to be paid to tenants of the airfield who will no longer be able to run their businesses if the runway is shut. AG clearly has a strategy to make money but even conservative estimates would suggest that she has to recoup four or five million before she's in profit.
So, I would suggest that she isn't going to let it go for anything less than £10 million and probably nearer 20.
Now, you tell me which private individual has this much money lying around to invest in something this risky. I can't believe that anybody wealthy got that way by throwing money at something that has been failing ever since it was transferred into private ownership.
If the 150 workers at Manston are go getters then they will have no problems finding work in the area.
www.reed.co.uk has 113 jobs within 5 miles of Ramsgate and widen the area to 15 mile and there are 472.
Mr McGale produces yet another financial magic letter out of his Magic Hat. I only wish i could provide one of these for a relatives mortgage offer.
I bet this offer does not have to be scrutinised for how many perms the new prospective purchasers bitch has?
Talking of magic envelopes, given that this is the second one that has been produced, who is being set up here...i suspect the tax payer is?
Doubt there are 100 FT jobs 1:36 either now or before. The airport used to close remember when there were few flights.
I'll bet $1 there are no more than 20 Gloag jobs there and many of those PT.
When does the discussion open up to discuss the water supply?
One commentator above refers to removing the monitors and no hours restrictions but that's already happened (although there are no flights now).
Tbh I too am beginning to wonder whether the title of this piece should refer to the current state of blog comments rather than the airport!
Here's a thought. If the 300 who attended the meeting were each prepared to cough up £1000 a month, they could keep the airport going! Now why hasn't Sir Wind proposed that one, eh? Eh?
The Russ Timpson chap talks utter bullox. he says Manston is the only aircraft recycling licence/factory in the UK- just Google Cotswold Airport.
And the dumped planes at masnton have hardly been recycled. The twit then says he's in favour of the Parkway thingy.
DRIBBLE
Thanks 9:47 for the reference to Neville Chamberlin and his worthless letter. Interesting parallel in that Nev flew back into Heston aerodrome. Heston eventually closed because people preferred to use a place called Heathrow.
I see the Save Manston dreamers are now trying to undermine the night flights consultation from 2011. Talk about missing the big picture - The airport is on the brink of closure guys and gals. The night flights issue is irrelevant.
Nevertheless, as it clearly irks you so much, allow me to put you straight. The airport doesn't have planning permission. It's legality rests on certificates of lawfulness which only allow the airport operators to continue operating the airport as it was being operated when it was sold. The barrister acting for TDC assured the court that any future change in the scale or nature of use would trigger a planning application. To clarify matters further the barrister provided examples of what might constitute a change in the nature of use and cited the introduction of night flights.
In other words, TDC cannot authorise night-flights from the airport without demanding that the airport operator applies for planning permission for the airport. There are numerous reasons why the airport operator wouldn't want to do this, so your efforts to authorise night flights are futile.
It's not your fault. You just don't know enough about the way things have been done. In essence, TDC's attempts to cut corners and to avoid the planning process are now an insurmountable obstacle.
It makes me laugh, people on here saying that Anons have to go back to school and how intelligent they are and in the same sentence arguing that Manston should be saved and what a great man Gale is.
If you cant see that Manston is a failure when profitable company's and multi millionaires cant make it work then we all must be missing a trick please tell us where the company's and millionaires are going wrong so we can fix it.
Also did you see how great Gale was in the meeting preaching to the converted I bet its not the same when sitting with people who understand finance or perhaps he also doesn't understand finance try not to pick up on bad spelling or wrong punctuation if you disagree try to correct me where you think I'm wrong and try not to insult me as your doing it (you know who you are)
PS cant believe there is a collection for a Scottish multi millionaire LOL
The world changes a little every day and after a certain age people become set in their ways and hesitant towards new ideas.
The airport has been tried, tested and proven unviable as both a business and an answer to Thanet's financial fortunes.
Ann Gloag, a breath of fresh air, with a proven track record in business has drawn a line under the obvious: there are better opportunities for the Manston site.
Politicians should take this opportunity to remove their blinkers, get on board, and look to influence a brighter future which does not include a commercial airport that goes against everything that Ramsgate was built to be.
Ramsgate has the infrastructure and geographical location to thrive as a tourist destination and compete for the permanent love, attention and investment from some of the countries most entrepreneurial minds.
I live in Ramsgate and since the planes have stopped flying over, I too have been able to enjoy my garden and surrounding area.
The world changes a little every day and after a certain age people become set in their ways and hesitant towards new ideas.
The airport has been tried, tested and proven unviable as both a business and an answer to Thanet's financial fortunes.
Ann Gloag, a breath of fresh air, with a proven track record in business has drawn a line under the obvious: there are better opportunities for the Manston site.
Politicians should take this opportunity to remove their blinkers, get on board, and look to influence a brighter future which does not include a commercial airport that goes against everything that Ramsgate was built to be.
Ramsgate has the infrastructure and geographical location to thrive as a tourist destination and compete for the permanent love, attention and investment of some of the countries most entrepreneurial minds.
I live in Ramsgate and since the planes have stopped flying over, I too have been able to enjoy my garden and surrounding area.
Meanwhile Pfizer seems to be trying to take over Astra-zeneca and seems to be suggesting that the HQ will for the new combined company will be in the UK.
Given that neither Pfizer or Zeneca have much of a presence in the UK any more, one wonders if minions at KCC are buzzing around saying to the parties that there is a nice big space at Discovery Park in Sandwich, that they can build whatever new state-of-the-art facilities they like and that, by the way, there is a nice package of tax breaks if they move in.
:S
10:01, are you not forgetting that we have seen your garden on the estate agents (Gibsons) details and it is hardly something one could enjoy. The army might like it though for jungle survival training.
See you are still trying to convince yourself over Manston.
After a certain age, 10:01, but surely Ann, your breath of fresh air, is over seventy. That should make her an old duffer in your book.
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