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Covid forces airfield to charge for parking


IT was a statement that hit Facebook a little like an incendiary bomb. A simple post appeared saying


that Headcorn Airfield would now be applying a £2 charge to park on the grass to watch all your favourite aircraft fly by. One of 300 messages said “Well,


that’s disappointing” and another defiantly declared “I’ll park on the road then”. On the receiving end was


owner Jamie Freeman (right), whose picture of the car park bar- rier and news of the charge hit the Headcorn Aerodrome (Official) Facebook page. The £2 charge will be paid via a


token that visitors must buy from various outlets on site, including the café, the museum and the Wings bar.


Multi-tasking as air traffic con-


troller and window cleaner, he said: “It’s a move that, sadly, has been forced upon us”. When Coronavirus forced the country into lockdown four months ago, it was the start of the airfield’s busiest period. As it is very much a seasonal operation – the summers are busy, the winters very slow – the effect of lockdown meant Mr Freeman faced what amounted to three winter seasons in a row. He added: “It has all been brought about by Covid-19. There has been no money coming in, but I still have to pay wages, rates,


council tax, electricity and most crippling, the insurances. On top of that, the airfield must be main- tained. Every day. “I’ve wanted to leave parking


free as long as possible, but that is now impossible. This is a very re- luctant move, but sadly, it has been forced upon us.” The pandemic has also meant


the cancellation of the Combined Ops two-day air display, the Southern Model Show, and the regular boot fairs. Two classic car shows sched-


uled for August and September are still on hold, pending confir- mation of Covid-19 guidelines. Mr Freeman applied for and re-


ceived a “lockdown loan” but he stressed it would only cover costs


until next April. A second major spike could leave him “finished”. He added: “It’s a vocation. Run-


ning an airfield is not a money- making operation. “But it’s hard to dispense with


family traditions, particularly when you’ve flown over the run- way scattering your father’s ashes.” That’s how much the place


means to Jamie, and that’s why he’s fighting to keep the airfield alive. “We should have introduced parking charges five years ago, but I wanted to keep it free for as long as possible. A lot of people only come here to picnic alongside the runway and watch aeroplanes all day. I can understand that.”


Work dries up for actor Will


A MAIDSTONE actor has spoken of the significant impact Coronavirus has had on the theatre industry. William Hodges (22), who


starred alongside X Factor star Jake Quickenden in the Hazlitt’s pan- tomime, Beauty and the Beast, last year, says there were “no signs of normality returning any time soon.” The former Maidstone Grammar


School student said: “To be honest, there has been very little work out there. The audition process has been very slow, and there are no signs of it coming back any time soon. “I have heard some talk of per-


formances maybe being moved outdoors, which is fine in the sum-


News Family fun to


help hospice FAMILIES can take part in a series of activities during the summer holidays at Heart of Kent Hospice. The charity has designed a Sum-


mer of Fun scheme, where chil- dren can enjoy a themed event every week, while also raising vital funds for the charity. Participants can explore the countryside, discover their inner MasterChef or take part in a scav- enger hunt. Emma Greenwood, community


events fundraiser, said: “We know how difficult it has been for some people during lockdown to keep motivated and occupied, and es- pecially for families. “We hope our Summer of Fun


will give plenty of inspiration to keep the whole household enter- tained, and also raise some much needed funds for the hospice at a time when we are still unable to put on our regular mass participa- tion events.” To take part, visit the website www.hokh.org/support-us/events/ or call the fundraising team on 01622 790195.


Attack charge


A MAN has been extradited from Romania to face charges that he at- tacked a teenage girl in Maidstone. Gabriel Calin (27) was escorted


onto an aeroplane by Kent Police officers in Bucharest and returned to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 29. He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 30 charged with wounding with intent, attempted wounding with intent, inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault occasion- ing actual bodily harm, against a 19-year-old woman on Loose Road, Maidstone on April 16, 2019. Mr Calin was remanded in cus-


tody and will next appear at a hearing before Maidstone Crown Court on August 27.


Homes plan


A FULL planning application has been made to Maidstone Borough Council for 24 extra care retirement homes and club house with land- scaping on land behind 70 Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea.


A new look


mer months. A lot of shows and pantos have been cancelled, which is really tough for the smaller venues.


“Over lockdown a lot of actors


found work doing self-taped com- mercials and things like that, if you were lucky enough to get it.”


ONE of Maidstone’s best-known opticians for 23 years, Pendleburys in Pudding Lane, is becoming part of national opticians Bayfields. practice manager Rebecca Lewis will be one of the consultants.


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