September 30, 2015 4.27 pm This story is over 102 months old

Lincolnshire Showground boss pledges support for Scampton Air Show

“Keen to help” Lincolnshire Showground boss shows support for plans to relocate the cancelled Waddington Air Show to nearby RAF Scampton.

The chief executive of the Lincolnshire Showground has announced her support for plans to relocate the recently cancelled Waddington Air Show to nearby RAF Scampton.

As previously reported, the Royal Air Force revealed its decision to permanently scrap the popular air show due to “significant security concerns and operational risks.”

The RAF suggested that a replacement air show could be held at RAF Scampton, home of the Red Arrows, from 2017 at the earliest.

Jayne Southall, CEO for the Lincolnshire Showground, which borders the base and Scampton village, said: “The Waddington Air Show has always been a very popular event for the people of Lincolnshire and I personally looked forward to it every year.

“It is also an important event for our county that gives recognition to Lincolnshire’s aviation heritage.

“The Lincolnshire Showground will be pledging its support to the Air Show and hope to work with the organisers to see its return. We are keen to help bring the show to RAF Scampton and support its move should the opportunity arise.

“We want to support the legacy of the Waddington Air Show in any way we can.”

More than 135,000 people attended over the two days of the 2014 Waddington Air Show. Photo: SAC Lauren Pope

More than 135,000 people attended over the two days of the 2014 Waddington Air Show. Photo: SAC Lauren Pope

The news of the show being potentially revived in the future has been welcomed by politicians, tourism bosses and local residents who were disappointed at the loss of the event, which has attracted up to 140,000 visitors in past years.

However, a row has broken out involving Lincoln MP, Karl McCartney, who claimed that Lincolnshire County Council wanted to move the show out of his constituency to RAF Scampton, despite his long-running campaign for it to be restored to the calendar.

This was strongly denied by Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Councillor Martin Hill.