BBC Points West deployment report

[saint1]

There was a short BBC deployment report last night on Points West, it is on the iPlayer (21/10) evening news for those that want to see it, I think it expires after a short period. Anyway, the report included the following:
-Weds Press day footage
-A few pics from the fence incl a short interview with Paul Burge about the need for a spotters area.
-An interview from a Marston Mersey resident about the numbers & rubbish discarded by spotters. He said a black bin bag everyday has been filled by residents clearing up after spotters. Rubbish has been an issue but doubt a black bin bag a day somehow....
- A few short clips of the B-1s in flight.

The piece would have been longer but a truck fell into Bristol Harbour yesterday (!) and that shortened the deployment rpt.

Saint1

[65thAgressor]

Thanks for the link,just watched it in iplayer. I doubt a full bag every day but I can believe there is rubbish every day. Lakenheath spotters viewing area when the f16's from aviano were there,had human faeces and soiled toilet paper laying around.

[page_verify]

Are we not missing the point here? The fact there's some litter rather than none should be the cause for concern here, not just how much.

[Ollie]

This deployment has proven (to me at least) that we've lost the hobby. Don't get me wrong, I'm 16, and I've been spotting since age 5, so to say we've 'lost the hobby' sounds a bit dramatic, but defecating in fields isn't normal behaviour.

The tourists (not people travelling from afar, but those who have heard there's some big planes from America here) usually get the blame, and it makes sense why. This isn't the first deployment this has happened either, if I recall correctly, last deployment resulted in tourists defecating in people's gardens. There's clearly a severe lack of respect for the area now. A spotting area would be good in my opinion, but logically, where could they put one?

Then there's the Hawk memorial which has been abused, with spotters sitting and standing on it to the point where its come loose in the ground, luckily it was resolidified into the ground today.

Ollie.

[R1nger]

Totally agree with Olly. 'When I were a lad' you could wander onto most airfields and airports with hardly an eyebrow being raised, a polite enquiry would get permission to enter hangars, we were trusted as being sensible enthusiasts and we didn't abuse that trust. We logged and photographed, chatted to the ground staff and pilots and everyone enjoyed the hobby without becoming a nusiance.

Litter was just sandwich wrappers and crisp packets and was taken home, drinks were in glass bottles which could be reused. We could even drive into many military bases to log stuff on the flightline as there were no terrorist problems in the 1950's and 1960's. Many happy hours were spent on burning grounds and in scrap compounds identifying hulks. The main exception being Staravia at Ascot where there were two huge aggressive dogs.

Who remembers Micky's Tea Bar? Best burgers around and no McDonalds or KFC with all their packaging.

Spotters now are treated as at best a nusiance and quite often with suspicion as to what they might do wrong. I remember visiting the tower on one airfield to chat to the controller and ask permission to look around, we watched with horror a group of 'enthusiasts' drive down the taxiiway abandon their car on the apron and leap out to photograph and collect numbers before speeding off down the active runway. Like something out of a Hollywood action movie, no wonder spotters get treated with suspicion.

[RobinM]

Sadly the rubbish may well become a significant issue if it continues. I was at the 27 last Friday and again today (sadly B-1s remained on the ground both days, but that is a different story!!) and the rubbish (plastic bottles, crisp packets, Pringles tubs, cups etc etc etc) was significant. There is no proof that it is the aviation enthusiasts leaving it but it would be interesting to see how quickly rubbish builds up when there isn't a bomber deployment.

And I totally agree with the previous comment, litter is the problem not the cause and there is no need for it. There needs to be way more respect for our environment.

[65thAgressor]

It's the country we live in many people don't care at all. Again it's like Lakenheath spotters car park,the bin is full.......so take your rubbish home don't stack it on the ground at the side of the bin.
It's the same for idiots who cut the fence or break the fence at Coningsby.

[Pune]

It's how people are raised I'm afraid, like a lot of things, it all starts in the home, I would hate to see how some of these so called enthusiasts live

[Ghost from above]

As someone who for work goes airside on a number of sites I can confirm that following any unusual aircraft activity at a site I'm picking up the above items on FOD checks for the deployment and at least 2 weeks after.
So it's quite simple
1. Take your rubbish home or you may end up killing a crew.
2. If God forbid that happens or any serious incident and it's traced back then believe me, forget any viewing points around these sites as steps will be taken to lock these areas down on safety grounds.
3. Make it your responsibility to secure these items or there won't be a hobby for you to see!

FOD IS EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY NOT JUST MINE

Rant over.

[macbear26]

Great comment from the Ghost from above please take note. It can not be that hard if you have a packet or sandwiches or crisps etc. When finished put it in your pocket or a bag take it home then bin it. (Simples)

[roughcutter]

It's how people are raised I'm afraid, like a lot of things, it all starts in the home, I would hate to see how some of these so called enthusiasts live

Spot on! As an ex council employee (retired) I can regretfully confirm your fears. I've had to work in some shocking houses/conditions over the years. Didn't use to be like that when I was younger, scabby houses were few and far between (usually inhabited by low life's or nutters). Nowadays sadly it's commonplace, and like you say it's down to upbringing and attitude. They have no values.

[CHINOOKER]

Sadly, not just confined to “spotters/aviation tourists” etc. Worked at LHR for 40+ years and to the last day, you would often see aircraft cleaning crews who upon exiting an aircraft would just throw large bags of mixed rubbish off the jetty onto the tarmac below! Often these would split and the contents picked up by any breeze would be distributed across the associated stands/airport. Despite constant warnings regarding their actions this sort of behaviour continued to the day I left!

[WillowMan]

Great Post guys , yes agree with all said about the so called enthuiast that give us a bad name . Respect for land owners and the environment and security where ever you are spotting , just use your head , we've all had a education some sadly do not seem to have been born with brains. On many a time the red mist as come up with me and anger as spilled over at the morans that cannot respect others . How many of you have had an idiot walk across your lens when taking a shot of something or seen and others walking across a ploughed field
plus discarded litter at a airfield . Been spotting since knee high , now in late 60s , hearing your comments things still seem still seem to be causing a problem . Many of us enjoy the hobby and meeting a fresh face somewhere who can pass on local knowledge .
We are the security hidden force now at many airfields so lets not let the idiots spoil our great hobby and please not upset our farmers .
What a refreshing post from young Ollie , glad he has some great view points , need many more of his kind out there , thanks guys brilliant comments

[roughcutter]

Ollie certainly has a mature head on his shoulders, an example to many. Good on you young man.

[Sled Driver]

It's sad that the stupid ignorant few spoil it for those of us who genuinely cherish seeing military aircraft. Folk don't have respect nowadays for others. My late father came over from India in the 50s to work in the steel works in Birmingham. I never forget when he taught me to always respect others around you and their property. Respect works both ways. Idiot's that don't take their rubbish home with them or that defecate in a place other than a proper toilet have no moral fibre in them at all.

[Sled Driver]

Me and the missus are going to try again tomorrow morning to try and see some B1-B action. Third attempt fingers crossed. Failed last Monday and the Friday before that!

[Webby74]

It's how people are raised I'm afraid, like a lot of things, it all starts in the home, I would hate to see how some of these so called enthusiasts live

Great point well made.