// Vox Pop
Send your views and opinions about any British airfield-related matter (including this website) to: ABCT, PO Box 26319, Glasgow G76 6AH
All comments will be edited if necessary: refer to our website terms and conditions. Please complete the form below to send us your comments:
Comments so far:
"I think it is an absolute crime what has happened to some of our airfields in the past. People just don’t appreciate the value of airfields. It grieves me: it is disgusting."
- C.W., Derbyshire
"Britain’s airfields are and always have been almost impossibly glamorous and exciting. Who are these idiots who say otherwise? But now at long last we have something and especially someone who epitomise those qualities. Fantastic."
- T.C., Essex
"Well done for having the courage to start this very long-overdue charity. My friends met you yesterday and they explained that we are all fans of our airfields. The neglect has caused us to record some of the remaining buildings etc before H & S or the EU ruin things for us. We are here should you need us: good luck."
- M.C., Norfolk
"Thank you so much Mr Bannerman for your courage. Thank God at last someone is supporting us and our wonderful airfields. To think I have had to wait 82 years for this: no wonder I’m crying before you."
- A.R., Suffolk
"There are far too many WW2 airfields that have all but disappeared and along with the disused railway routes represent a criminal waste of national resource and wasted opportunity. I truly hope that your organisation can open peoples’ eyes to what is being lost."
- G.E., Gloucestershire
"I think this is a great scheme and I totally agree with Kenneth Bannerman about the benefits to the nation as a whole to have these sites commemorated. I could not believe that this country could let such an historic site as Cardington fall into disrepair. People keep saying we must look ahead, but that very History tells us that to only face forward and not look behind, and learn from our past, is a very short sighted way to face the future."
- A.O., West Sussex
"It invokes a sense of real loss when you see East Moor today and think of the people who died there. It’s such a shame."
- I.C., Tyne & Wear
"We welcome your decision to commemorate disused airfields in Britain as such work is long overdue. A recent visit to Manby brought home to me just how quickly the past is forgotten. Only recently, it was the show-case of the post-war Royal Air Force. We wish you well with your endeavours."
- C.C., Surrey
"When I looked at the website - and what a website - I thought I recognised that name. This is the man who is going to save our airfields’ bacon. He said he could - and it looks as if he has."
- D.S., Wiltshire
"Your website was pointed out to me yesterday. I found it fascinating!"
- K.J., Essex
"You are all doing a marvellous job. I see airfields as the castles of the future. I would be interested with help on conservation to avoid developers spoiling what is left. The very best of luck."
- J.S., Cheshire
"Airfields have the most fantastic aura and depth about them. There is a feeling in this area that 1945 was not that long ago but, although some buildings might appear to be dying, the airfield is still very much alive."
- E.B., East Riding of Yorkshire
"You are absolutely right. We have an aviation memorial placed inside the village but surely a memorial at or close to the actual airfield would greatly increase its profile."
- T.D., Lincolnshire
"The website has a comprehensive directory of UK airfields, airfield news and much more. Well worth bookmarking."
- Flyer Magazine
"We have visited the website and are impressed by the work you are doing to protect and preserve our nation’s airfields."
- D.O., Northamptonshire
"If you like discovering long-lost airfields then www.abct.org.uk is the website for you. The website is elegant, as is the charity’s first newsletter."
- Pilot Magazine
"I’ve had a look at your website and read your newsletter. It is certainly a very professional piece of work and you have some influential names supporting you."
- J.B., Northamptonshire
"Nice website."
- M.D., Oxfordshire
"I work in the media and sometimes work at airfields, active and disused. This whole idea is nothing other than sheer genius, and I gather it is all more or less the idea of one man. Speaking as a big fan of The Prisoner, with its obvious airfield link, as far as I am concerned Kenneth Bannerman is the Patrick McGoohan of ABCT. No doubt about it."
- A.S., London
"As someone who has done social work, airfields show up the complete fallacy and stupidity of networking - or, as I call it, selling - for all it is worth. However you describe it is really about giving more than getting back at times, being open, sharing. The two main keys are that the opposition should find how classy you are and that it is meant to happen when you are effortless. And nothing beats airfields when it comes to being classy and effortless."
- N.G., Essex
"What a very worthwhile project you have embarked upon. I shall make an entry about ABCT in our newsletter along with a recommendation that our members support the Trust."
- I.R., Isle of Man
"I was pleased to hear of the support given by ABCT to former airfields and remembering those who flew from them - especially as tomorrow is Armistice Day. The Action Group is still protesting at every opportunity. In 1940 people hostile to the airfield would have been treated as ’Fifth Columnists’ and locked up. Members of the Society send their regards and wish ABCT every success."
- F.A., Cornwall
"The name Kenneth Bannerman kept cropping up now and again in the airfield or aviation world. It had certainly once or twice crossed my mind who exactly was this enigmatic figure. But, my God, we know now. The myth is reality: you are the man and ABCT is the answer. Utterly, utterly brilliant."
- D.B., North Yorkshire
"Most informative as ever. We must stop the desecration of wartime airfields. We fought hard and long for West Malling and now I cannot even recognise it from the air. My best wishes to you and well done."
- R.B., Kent
"I thank you most sincerely for the very generous contribution. The confirmation of that gift is the most wonderful Christmas present that we could have received. Thank you once again."
- S.W., Essex
"We all love Britain’s airfields so much - a pity those in authority don’t. Please try and save them as soon as possible, I beg of you."
- M.H., Warwickshire
"I do hope your new organisation will not forget the flying boats!"
- D.M., Berkshire
"It’s all the more important to save places like Tangmere, it’s like the battlefield at Agincourt. I really do worry about how history seems to be slipping away in this country – and no-one really seems to care."
R.S., Lincolnshire
"We’ve got a war going on here involving Britain’s disused airfields and somehow too many people don’t know a thing about it. ABCT, though, is turning the tide."
M.C., Suffolk
"I was so bloody furious with anger at Coltishall’s treatment when it closed that I had to go away and have a stiff drink."
A.R., Norfolk
"Lovely tribute to Coltishall."
D.H., Kent
"Airfields are places for ethical employment, not to be used for a hard sell approach. Everybody has to be approached in the right manner."
A.V., Norfolk
"I know someone who attended the launch of ABCT and for him the highlight was Director General Kenneth Bannerman’s speech. He absolutely destroyed them: it was the most stunning performance. This man clearly does not mess about and looks the epitome of integrity."
F.L., Wiltshire
"Your website looks wonderful and we would gladly like to be linked."
A.S., United States of America
"You have made so many of us stop and think. You are a real genius and hero, we have the greatest admiration for you and we salute you. Thank you so much."
S.R., Cambridgeshire
"Tholthorpe changed our lives: chewing gum, Pepsi cola, sports facilities – a wonderful time for kids. Tholthorpe changed our times."
G.W., North Yorkshire
"ABCT and Kenneth Bannerman are mounting perhaps the most shattering assault on perception ever seen in history. More power to their elbow."
N.S. Gloucestershire
"I think your intentions of marking these historic sites most admirable."
K.N., Essex
"People don’t realise what they are throwing away."
S.F., Devon
"Kenneth Bannerman’s speech on the website was the greatest speech I have ever heard. Deeply meaningful, just wonderful."
H.I., London
"As someone who is fully in agreement with the ethos of your organisation I support the work that you have thus far done to save an important part of our aviation history."
S.C., Dorset
"Thank you very much indeed! As far as aviation heritage is concerned I am quite convinced that the past has a great future."
P.W., Luxembourg
"Very impressive website."
B.H., Shropshire
"You have an excellent website which helps me enormously in my hobby as an additional cross reference. Thank you."
P.H., Staffordshire
"Please do check out the work of ABCT who under the leadership of Director General Kenneth Bannerman are fighting to save our airfields and their history. Their excellent website has many interesting features: without the use of many of these former airfields many aviators would be really stuck for airfields to fly from and the work of ABCT is vital if sport aviation is to continue."
O.J., Oxfordshire
"No more nightmares for airfield supporters. Kenneth Bannerman is going in where no-one else has dared. He’s in control – and we’re going in too."
M.D., Nottinghamshire
"I have looked at your website and I must say that I thought it was really wonderful."
K.T., Essex
"The old technical site is going through demolition which like the other airfields is a crying shame as these stations were fundamental in winning the war and should be saved for posterity as living memorials to the brave men and women who worked, lived and very often died around there. Save our airfields before they all disappear for good."
P.H., South Yorkshire
"It’s a terrible shame, we’re free today because of these places."
A.M. Essex
"An old friend of mine from years ago knew Kenneth Bannerman and said this guy always stood apart and above the rest. He sounded like quite a remarkable person and it belatedly hit me who it was as my friend had mentioned he had some kind of aviation connection. Not only a strange coincidence but a cracking website."
H.S., Cheshire
"All your efforts regarding our precious airfields are very much appreciated by many."
J.D., West Sussex
"We are not looking for a day of vengeance or a night of white hot hate concerning our airfields – but we do want justice."
A.C., Lincolnshire
"Our airfields needed a quietly charismatic, really interesting figure to defend them and now we have it in Kenneth Bannerman. He’s a real catch in all sorts of ways – he’s just got it."
L.C., London
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