RAF LAKENHEATH : Parking & Litter Complaints

[davekench]

I was at Lakenheath yesterday (1st time for a few months) and was amazed by the amount of cars parked in the forest entrance beyond the entrance and parking signs, I agree is was busy but I am sure you drive a car with you feet/legs, can't people walk from the Spotter enclosure road like many did? And another moan what about the people standing in the field under the approach taking photos, underside of planes? I thought that area was out of bounds.
Rant over!

[The Phantom]

And another moan what about the people standing in the field under the approach taking photos, underside of planes? I thought that area was out of bounds.

I was always told it was - if standing among the landing lights - by members of this club while stood talking at LN (not that i particularly want to stand under a 20 ton jet on finals anyway) They said it can antagonise the base and cause bad feeling, so i've never gone anywhere near - and plus you have a large enough field to go many other areas anyway.
But i guess if doing it at the moment was a problem then the police would've been along for a chat.

[jingernut]

Paddyboy,
For the record whilst slightly off topic I was at Fairford last year when the F35s flew into the UK for the first time, I observed two people who I know to be outspoken members of this forum (and no I'm not naming them) talking about how disgusting it was that the place was "flooded with f*cking normals" and then throwing a half eaten bag of chips into a hedge.

I'd name and shame them to be honest.

[ChrisCwmbran]

Paddyboy,
For the record whilst slightly off topic I was at Fairford last year when the F35s flew into the UK for the first time, I observed two people who I know to be outspoken members of this forum (and no I'm not naming them) talking about how disgusting it was that the place was "flooded with f*cking normals" and then throwing a half eaten bag of chips into a hedge.

I'd name and shame them to be honest.

If I could prove it was more than a one off I would. I just think people need to acknowledge that you cannot blame it all on the casual aviation enthusiast.

For the record, I'm not a hard core enthusiast. I live in South Wales which is pretty dire for aviation photography. I tend to spend a couple of weeks a year at Coningsby (partly visiting relatives). Usually when I'm at Coningsby I take the opportunity to pop down to Lakenheath and Mildenhall for a day. Sometimes I'm in luck with the weather and get some reasonable pictures, other times I come back with nothing. I'm not interested in aircraft serial numbers etc but consider myself to be a casual aviation fan (in fact all kinds of aircraft, ships, trains etc). but I'd never litter.

[reaperops]

I don't really care much for people's justifications in this post. At the end of the day irrespective of the reason and frequency of visiting etc, etc, common sense and the law says you should
park responsibly and remove litter. If people followed common sense then posts like wouldn't be needed.

Its quite simple, people. Just be respectful before its cocked up for everyone!

[deerhunter]

I dont get time to visit LN as often as I would like, but the thought of the access being taken away doesnt bear thinking about.

People should have pride but I know there are @:>?£$ out there who couldnt give a toss. They are not interested as we are, they just visit to see a rarity, not caring about parking, litter etc. You never see them again, you dont see them in the depths of winter freezing by the fence, they are not enthusiasts , Paddy used the correct term.

I know what I`m going to do though, any I see littering will be photographed and reported, and put on every social media I can think of, I dont give a *&^% about them but I do care about the regulars , our great hobby and the facilities we have.

If you are a litterer and on this site watch out !!!!!!!!

[paddyboy]

Thanks for the support, guys

I just got sooooo frustrated at the lack of thought and care by the obviously non-aviation types, and their cavalier attitude to anything and anyone but themselves

I suppose that is just how some people live their lives generally

Paddyboy

[XWP29]

Hi Paddy
Don't worry about it, it is an emotive subject the thought of not being able to stand by the wire in all weathers watching the reapers and the 48th is a sad one indeed.

[Doughnut]

The problem with all these posts about litter and parking is that the culprits do not read this Forum and simply do not know they are being moaned at.
If they are causal passers by who stop because they see a crowd, or a low flying aircraft, they probably have no idea there is such a thing as an official viewing area, and unless they ask no idea what they are looking at either !!

[GreenBat]

I don't really care much for people's justifications in this post. At the end of the day irrespective of the reason and frequency of visiting etc, etc, common sense and the law says you should
park responsibly and remove litter. If people followed common sense then posts like wouldn't be needed.

Its quite simple, people. Just be respectful before its cocked up for everyone!

Absolutely spot on

[paul1978]

I know I don't get to go to Lakenheath that much . I do try and get to Marham at least once a week . But I live in a good spot in the flightpath for all three.
Paddy you didnt affend me I just wish I could get there as much as I would like.
I think you guys that go every day summer winter all weathers deserve a big thank because you keep all us one that cant make the trip updated . It makes me laugh sometimes I had a couple in my taxi the other day they said there a lot off flying to day I replyed you don't know nothing should of been round here in the 80 and 90 when we had the F-111 , A-10 about. They were the good old days .
From Me a big thank you for all you do on this web site and keep up the good work

[TankBuster]

Just a shame that the litterbugs' cant put their rubbish back in their lunch boxes, or carrier bags & then take it home.
Its not hard is it?

Shame that the local council dont also have the resources to put an employee on the ground during busy days at LN, just to keep an eye out & dish out on the spot fines to the offenders!

TankBuster

[albur99]

Glad that this topic has been raised - I loathe litter!

However I am not sure how much difference our collective "disgust" will actually make. I think we need to lead by example.

I will be doing one of my 3-4 visits a year to LN thurs aft/fri morning this week. (F-35s pleease dont fly away!)

I will bring (as well as camera, lenses, batteries, scanner, thick jacket etc) some black binliners.

..and when/if things get boring, I will walk round and pick up other peoples litter.

I will do my bit....

best regards
Alan

[fires999]

Paddyboy,
You know that we are all behind you and your comments, lets hope we can educate those who visit and hopefully keep things clean.
I know it might sound dramatic , but a single piece of unwanted litter that strays the wrong side of the fence can cause all sorts of issues to aircraft - 30 seconds walking it to a litter bin or the car isn't much to ask...is it ?

Kev

[apex]

Glad that this topic has been raised - I loathe litter!

However I am not sure how much difference our collective "disgust" will actually make. I think we need to lead by example.

I will be doing one of my 3-4 visits a year to LN thurs aft/fri morning this week. (F-35s pleease dont fly away!)

I will bring (as well as camera, lenses, batteries, scanner, thick jacket etc) some black binliners.

..and when/if things get boring, I will walk round and pick up other peoples litter.

I will do my bit....

best regards
Alan

In that case I applaud you sir.

If I was more local and going back home each night after a day at the fence, I would do the same.

Some gloves might be wise also, maybe some spares as well, as hopefully you will encourage others with your fine example.

[romeo bravo]

I just got sooooo frustrated at the lack of thought and care by the obviously non-aviation types, and their cavalier attitude to anything and anyone but themselves

Whilst I applaud the sentiments, it is not just 'non-aviation types' that cause the problems; a board stroke approach to a larger problem. We have all seen comments around the UK when something different appears, just remember Coningsby when VERA was here or the Lossie issues last year, and these were not just 'non-aviation types', they were so-called aviation enthusiasts; just look at the plethora of photos that appear during their visits. Just look what is happening over at John's place at Mildenhall, all over a £1, or Duxford's 'Naughty Field' or Shuttleworth with Hill Lane during displays.

It is a generic problem (and not just aviation related) where people think they can park anywhere, just open their car window and dropping rubbish because they cant be bothered to walk 5ft to a bin or enter a 'no access' areas which could actually endanger life if something went wrong; the list goes on.

I've been doing this hobby for years, going back to the early 80s, and have seen a big change in attitudes of the so-called enthusiasts and complainants, almost turning into NIMBYs as it never happens when they are around. In the days before social media and the internet, information got out by listening to the primitive airband radios (loved my AOR 1000), word of mouth or via BARG, so we had lower numbers which was much better!!

We have a section called 'Spotter spotting', may be a good place to start showing poor skills such as parking, littering and/or standing!!

[paddyboy]

Hi Peeps

You have all eased my mind no end, to know it is not just me who is so frustrated and incandescent at what has happened at LN/MH/CGY and other places

All we can do, as has been said, is lead by example and challenge any of the morons we see about their poor attitude

Very best regards and thanks for your support

Paddyboy

[Philwinward]

Paddy, It's not you but seems to be a generation problem.Was walking the dog late afternoon a couple of Saturdays ago. As we went past the village chippy the remains of someone's fish & chips was thrown out of a parked Fiesta onto the pavement infront of us, just missing the dog. The passenger door was then opened and when I asked them if they were going to pick up up their rubbish,they replied no and threw more out! By now I had my phone out ready to photograph the car and their mess.When they realised this the driver told his passenger to "effing get out and pick it up". The passenger refused and the car sped off. Thats when I realised that while this was going on the dog had eaten the evidence. There were 2 rubbish bins provided by the chippy within 10 feet of this incident,both only part full , so they had no excuse. It's amazing how brave you are when you have a dog with you even if it's only a Border Collie !!

Phil

[slogen51]

I don't want to sound like a "wet" but i think rightly or wrongly some of the younger generation are 'lost' - good jobs are hard to find, house prices are rediculous. I sometimes think blatant littering is a puerile form of rebellion.

At Farnborough a lot of litter would appear over night along with bottles and various detritus from groups of boys and girls out on the pee.

[Bob Tomlin]

Littering:- no excuse for it.
Very sloppy, selfish and ignorant to just dump your rubbish anywhere, rather than taking some responsibility for yourself and having some consideration for others and the environment and just taking it home with you if you can't find a bin.
See it more and more these days sadly. Not confined to anywhere in particular. Most pull-ins and verges in the countryside have some garbage dumped in them.
The same applies to blocking access and parking with no regard for others, again, you see that sort of thing everywhere now. It's all part of the 'me first' culture and never mind the rest.

I agree that it's a real shame if 'regular' parking slots like the forest entrance are threatened with closure due to this sort of thing and people need to get a grip on themselves to stop this happening.
However, I don't think it's right to say that the people who've come to get a glimpse of the F35s are somehow 'less entitled' and are a form of 'sub-enthusiast' or something, just because they are not on the same fence week after week.
Come on guys - is that really fair?
Not everyone has the opportunity or time to be able to sit and watch aircraft day after day or week on week.
They might have jobs that don't allow this or live at distances too great to travel.
It was same at Leeming with the French visitors regarding a certain field and at Coningsby, with the Flankers, etc. (It was even the case at Manchester when the A380 first showed -you don't see the same crowds for that now and you won't see them in a year or two when the F35 is commonplace -it'll be the retired Eagle that'll be the attraction then).
You can't blame people for wanting to get a look at something interesting and unusual and I'm sure some of you'd be doing the same if, say a carrier parked up in Cardigan bay and the Marines were using Valley as an FOB or something?
The fact that they've turned up now hints that they're very probably enthusiasts themselves, as why else would they be there?

Yes it's got to be annoying when people turn up 'en masse', problems occur and the threat of a regular access point being closed happens and I do sympathise with you if you are a regular and I also despair at the culprits.
I don't want to see closures any more than anyone else on here as I sometimes get a chance to come out and see things there myself (not this year so far though!).
This isn't because the people that come aren't enthusiasts and have a lesser desire to see the planes. This is because some of those among us are ignorant, lazy and selfish.
This isn't 'someone else' causing the problem - it's 'us'. Not all of us. Just an ignorant few, who chose to spoil things for others.
Be better than they are. It's part of the countryside code to pick up litter that's not your own. Now we know there's a problem, take a bin bag. If you see litter pick it up. You'll be doing everyone a favour and thank you and kudos for that.

Bob.