Biggin Hill chapel under threat

[Guest]

An Update - people taken from another forum

Latest Press Release

AIRPORT OFFERS TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF RAF CHAPEL OF REMEMBRANCE

Following the news story published in the Mail on Sunday (4th January), Biggin Hill Airport has offered to make up the shortfall of £50,000 per annum that the Government has now said that it is not prepared to provide any longer for the maintenance and upkeep of the St George’s Chapel of Remembrance.

Biggin Hill Airport has recently completed a huge Public Consultation on the future of the airport, including preserving its historic connections – and the chapel is one such example. This exercise received the support of nearly 80% from over 15,000 local residents for its proposals.

The airport recognises that the chapel carries significant national importance, remembering the brave pilots, engineers and ground crews who gave their lives for the freedom that we now enjoy and that must never be forgotten.

Airport Managing Director Will Curtis says that the company is prepared to provide the necessary funding.

“We want to properly secure the future of this historic chapel which is in keeping with its role of playing an active part in the local community as an important heritage site. We will consult with the Ministry of Defence and the London Borough of Bromley as to how we can best achieve this goal” he says.

Well done that man

[eddiesolo]

That is good news.

I hope that the Government and the Forces behind this feel ashamed-but I doubt it.

All Governments, past and present since the WWII seem to still think we are a global force-we aren't anymore and should accept that and move on to looking after ourselves-stop sending billions to overseas payments to countries that are better off than we are.

Si

[flyjoe180]

Well, good on Biggin Hill Airport for coming to the rescue, top marks for them. But it does not detract from the fact that the UK Government appears to be shirking from it's duty to remember The Few. One can't help thinking in these times where commercial organisations come to the rescue, or the latest craze of 'crowd funding' saves things special to the majority of people, that it is becoming easier for Governments to try to abandon their responsibilities to preserving heritage in the name of saving a few pounds or dollars.

If a similar move was attempted by the US Government I would imagine there would be more than just an outcry of disgust from the population. If an attempt was made here or in Australia to abandon funding for significant war memorials it would potentially bring down a Government in the long run.

[Alan 45]

This is the latest on this

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I'm pleased they got it sorted

[takeslousyphotos]

Fifty grand a year ???? ........ I work in the defence industry. and I see waste by MOD more than that on monthly basis. ........ Damn disgusting.

Peter