May 30, 2019 2.26 pm This story is over 58 months old

Lincolnshire delegation to campaign for Red Arrows retention at House of Lords event

Only 1,170 signatures needed to reach petition milestone
A regular sight in Lincoln. Photo: Avidly/Flickr

A group of Lincolnshire businesses and politicians will travel to the House of Lords to campaign for the Red Arrows stay in the county.

Lord Cormack, Karen Lee MP, the Historic Lincoln Trust, Visit Lincoln, the University of Lincoln, The Lincolnite, and a delegation of local organisations will all meet with Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials on Tuesday, June 4.

Sign a joint campaign by The Lincolnite and Visit Lincoln to keep the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire. Only 1,170 signatures are needed to reach 10,000 and trigger a government response.

Lydia Rusling, Chief Executive of Visit Lincoln, is leading the campaign. She said: “Being in the heart of Westminster is highlighting Lincolnshire and its connections to the Royal Air Force.

“There are still many unanswered questions around the closure of RAF Scampton, but as the organisation responsible for tourism in Lincolnshire we are committed to doing all we can to ensure our connection to the Royal Air Force remains strong.

“Whilst the decision to close RAF Scampton is out of our control, we continue to work with businesses and local organisations to ensure we have a compelling case for the successful relocation of the Red Arrows.”

The government confirmed the closure of RAF Scampton last year, throwing the future of the Red Arrows into doubt.

Alongside Waddington, RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, are the two other possible locations for the reds.

Councillor Martin Hill, the leader of the council, has also written to the Secretary of State for Defence asking for assistance in keeping the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Hosting the event at the House of Lords will be:

  • Lord Cormack
  • Lord Taylor
  • Baroness Redfern
  • Karen Lee MP
  • Lord Hailsham
  • Baroness Hogg

The delegation for the House of Lords event includes:

  • James Pinchbeck, Streets Chartered Accountants
  • Paul Tutin, Streets Chartered Accountants
  • Julian Free, University of Lincoln
  • Lydia Rusling, Visit Lincoln
  • Daniel Ionescu, The Lincolnite
  • Paul Banton, Ruddocks
  • Nicky van der Drift, International Bomber Command Centre
  • Phil Bonner, Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire
  • Angela Andrews City of Lincoln Council
  • Jayne Southall, Lincolnshire Showground
  • David Lowes, Lincoln City Football Club
  • Maggie Curtis, BBC Lincolnshire
  • Emma Brealey, The Petwood Hotel
  • Cllr Richard Wright, North Kesteven District Council
  • Mark Locking, Lincoln College
  • Michelle Allison, The EBP
  • Harry Leyland, Leonardo UK
  • Nigel Johnson, Siemens
  • Jim Windle, Branston Potatoes
  • Cllr Jeff Summers, West Lindsey District Council