Lakenheath Spotting/viewing

[Toplad123]

Hello all,

I just want people's opinions on how LN viewing has deteriorated, the 06 end has been closed off due to litter and now the wall/earth mound have been closed off as well due to litter and disrespectful attitudes to the land that came about from the masses of people who don't come to LN often but came to see the raptors en masse and didn't care for the area much. Do people agree or disagree and if so why? Do you think the wall will ever be opened back up by elveden?

Cheers

[The Phantom]

I didn't know that was the situation with the mound/wall.

Very sad if so - and typical of people who turn up once in a blue moon and don't give a crap about the place and feel it standard to leave all their mess behind.
There has been the same problem with the Mildenhall viewing area - and plenty of others.
The worst part is is that the decent enthusiast suffers for it.

[slogen51]

Hi

I personally never go to the 06 end. You can number crunch quite happily from the viewing area when they are on easterlies. Therefore I suggest only photographers would bother with that end and maybe they were just casual visitors.

Doesn't make it right but what can we do. ( Apart from not littering ourselves).

[Harkins]

Can this be confirmed that some of the better photography spots have been closed off? I've not yet been to Lakenheath myself, but of course hope to spend a day or two there one day. Can I ask who has closed off these areas? MOD, RAF, USAF, local land owner or farmer?

It seems to me that the internet has exacerbated the problem of huge numbers turning up for certain occasions. And whilst I sometimes find it incredibly frustrating that there appears to be people in the know about movements that aren't prepared to share what they know, this kind of behaviour and it's effects on the regular enthusiast make it much more understandable that announcing things to the masses isn't always a wise move.

I must say though, that whilst whoever creates litter should take it home with them and dispose of it properly, I would hope that real enthusiasts would clear up after them as I know I would. After all, if access is any further restricted at bases it will not be worth going there at all. This isn't the first viewing point I've heard of where usually a farmer has got fed up with poor behaviour and closed off access.

[Supra]

Elvedon Estates who own (not manage??) most all the area around Lakenheath have previously been tolerant of the respectful enthusiasts on parcels of their land which they dictated. The unprecedented interest in the 'Raptor' deployment caused a massive influx of visitors, who in the majority made a good effort to respect the Estates' wishes.
Regarding 06 access specifically, around that time-frame there were two events for the Estate that primarily 'finished them-off'!
1) A couple of people drove their cars down the field access toward the fenceline, whilst everyone else parked off the main road & walked-in!
2) the field immediately adjacent the 06 threshold had livestock in it & 'enthusiasts' were requested to keep-out & remain a respectable (undefined?) distance from the livestock field to minimise disturbance. Clearly the animals are
'jet-tolerant' but not accepting of 'spotters'. A common enough problem! ....but hey!, that was the deal that was broken. hence the Estates' blanket ban.
FYI. I was a visitor, but didn't mess-up the 'arrangement' for others. Littering is becoming a major problem in all aspects of this Country, but food-packaging & livestock are a disaster looking for somewhere to happen.

[slogen51]

The authorities provide a viewing area at one end of the runway at a military base and then find that hundreds go down the other end? I think the so called 'masses' are aviation photography enthusiasts as surely most casual on lookers would only know about the official viewing location and pure spotters just get the nos and depart.

[Andy_99]

So a big thank you to all of those who have now spoilt it for the rest of us considerate people.
Not that anybody here is likely to be among that group.

Never been to the 06 end & was advised of the livestock being present when there for the Raptors so stayed clear.
Did go to the Wall/Mound area (if that's the bit past the ruined farm) & I must say on the day I was there we all respected the correct access (not through the farmyard) & I didn't witness any littering.

Does that also mean we're banned from the field next to the forest entrance (ie the one with the approach lights to 24.

[Supra]

Wouldn't know about '24' field, but highly likely to be off-limits as under the same management. As of course the is Forest & tracks. Some people risk-it, but I imagine some of the forum members who work for Elvedon Estates or the Forestry Commission, who lease the woodland, are better-placed to comment?

[starfighter]

Not yet , but I'm sure it won't be long befor someone it up,
and we lose another fine location , I have to say I'm glad I'm coming
to the end of my days photographing days there are so many out there ,
Who don't give a dam and not enough of us that will gladly tell the,
bad eggs where they and their bad habits can go.
The clock is ticking before there is virtually no where left to go,
like I said I'm spending less time now but if sorry for the new ones to this hobby.
Steve (there is on face with a tear on it so can't use it ).

[Toplad123]

The Wall and earth mound at the 24 end was the only spot where you could get great side on shots because you're slightly elevated and decent rotation shots, since Elveden closed off all the land around it all we have is the viewing area and forest entrance which have had a detrimental effect on the variety of locations and angles for photography. We can only hope that Elveden maybe one day change their mind.

[Andy_99]

The Wall and earth mound at the 24 end was the only spot where you could get great side on shots because you're slightly elevated and decent rotation shots, since Elveden closed off all the land around it all we have is the viewing area and forest entrance which have had a detrimental effect on the variety of locations and angles for photography. We can only hope that Elveden maybe one day change their mind.

That's a crying shame the genuine people who respect the rules get banned due to the actions of the uneducated masses.

Hopefully in time we will get some additional access back.

[ChrisCwmbran]

Am I the only one who feels that the "nothing can be blamed on anyone who comes on here" attitude of the thread a little odd?

Obviously the presence of the F22s caused a significant increase in the number of people visiting the locations - and it should be noted that Mr & Mrs Smith taking the kids to have a look at the "new modern jets" have as much right to be in these locations as any one of us. I think to presume that "aviation enthusiasts" are innocent and that its the "masses" who are responsible is a bit of a jump in logic.

Just because someone might only visit a location once, or far less often than someone else, doesn't immediately mean they are litter bugs and show zero respect for the locals and the British countryside.

[Toplad123]

Not at all but the sheer number of people seeing them includes few who litter and it's multiplied by the extra people attending and it got out of control

[Dave934]

I just want people's opinions on how LN viewing has deteriorated, the 06 end has been closed off due to litter and now the wall/earth mound have been closed off as well due to litter and disrespectful attitudes to the land that came about from the masses of people who don't come to LN often but came to see the raptors en masse and didn't care for the area much. Do people agree or disagree and if so why? Do you think the wall will ever be opened back up by elveden?

So....who told you that ?
Dave.

[Toplad123]

I thought it was evident in the fact that Elveden have closed off the land that was previously accessible for a long time, it all happened after the raptors visited

[Bolar]

There has been times when i personally have picked up other peoples rubbish by the fence line under the lights i dont want a medal for it just wished everyone would think of the damage it can cause to the Aircraft and your own country.

[Dave934]

I haven't been to LN since the F22's were there....has that area been fenced off or something ???
Dave.

[Toplad123]

It hasn't been closed off as a public footpath runs near it but police will move you on if you're at the wall now as it was private property but people respected the land, before they'd say hello and nothing would happen but I did notice a bit of litter and broken bottle etc after the F-22 detachment