Effort to stop Redhill Aerodrome becoming an housing estateShortly after taking up my position in Hangar 9 and having been given access to an email chat forum used for the pilots operating out of it to share news snippets and proposed aircraft hangar movements I was absolutely devastated to discover that the place I had grown to love so much, Redhill Aerodrome, was actually under a real serious threat of extinction. That threat was from a proposal to redevelop the whole aerodrome site into a new housing estate in the form of a Garden Village, news of which up until now I had been completely unaware of. It was so upsetting for me and my family that we had many conversations about moving away from the area if it was to actually happen because Redhill Aerodrome was my lifeblood, the place I have to give thanks to for inspiring and shaping the person I am today. To see it wiped out for myself and future generations would have been far too much to take emotionally. Being so upset, and if I’m honest, very angry too, a strong determination to do something, however small, overcame me. I felt I needed to alert people as quick as possible as to how valuable the aerodrome was to the local community and other pilots in the wider GA community.
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But what could a boy of thirteen like me do? I felt helpless until my dad suggested I could start a petition if I wanted. I’m not ashamed to admit that I had no idea what a petition actually was but when explained to me there was no holding me back. “Doing something is always better than doing nothing” my dad told me and so my online petition to Save Redhill Aerodrome was established and news started to get around.
Click on the image below to go to the petition website to read comments left by people who signed
Many people signed my petition and left comments, not only those in the aviation industry but those, who like myself, were blissfully unaware and horrified by Redhill Aerodrome’s impending doom. Mothers and fathers from the local area with young children on a day out to see the planes ( the way my interest in aviation started ), people who value the amazing service the Surrey Air Ambulance based there provides and those who give thanks to the brave British and Polish pilots who were based there during WW2 to name but a few.
Unbeknown to me and quite coincidentally BBC South East had been following the story of Redhill Aerodrome’s plight quite closely, so imagine my shock when out of the blue I received an email message on my phone whilst still in school lessons asking me if I would be prepared to meet them at the Aerodrome later that day to be interviewed for the news that evening. As soon as school finished I messaged my dad to let him know the situation and rushed home as quick as I could with my heavy school bag slowing me down. Luckily my dad was home from work early and as soon as I had changed into my blue overalls, that I always wear to the aerodrome, we were off to meet the reporter.
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, During the five minute car ride to the aerodrome reality suddenly dawn upon me. “Dad, I’m so nervous, what shall I say? “ He said to “just be myself and to be strong. Remember you are doing this because you care about the place and whatever you say will be absolutely fine, ” and he gave me a gentle rub on the front of my head ruffling my hair a bit which always reassured me.
Never the less I was still petrified when the reporter, who was actually really very nice, pointed the microphone towards me.
Never the less I was still petrified when the reporter, who was actually really very nice, pointed the microphone towards me.
Redhill in Peril book and Wings appeal collection
Because of the fact that so many visitors to the aerodrome I have talked to since taking up my position at Hangar 9 had no real idea at all about Redhill’s dark cloud hovering over it my dad and I hit on the idea of writing a short story aimed at children that we could print and give away in the Pilot’s Hub cafe at the aerodrome. We would use the planes in Hangar 9 as the characters and base it around one particular small plane who saves the aerodrome from being redeveloped with his bravery and heroism. We then hit upon the idea that we could charge a very nominal fee for it with all proceeds generated going to the RAF Wings Appeal. So far we have managed to raise over £130 for the charity.
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Below is a small taster of the book
Full book can be found here
Full book can be found here