The Red Arrows flying over their home city. | Photo: Mike Ling
Once RAF Scampton is closed, the Red Arrows will move to RAF Waddington, south of Lincoln.
The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that the Red Arrows will continue to practice above the city and Scampton, since their new planned headquarters will only be 10 miles away from their current home.
No exact date for the closure of the base at Scampton has been confirmed yet, but the initial plan was for it to be shut by 2022.
Now the MoD has said it will look at ways of preserving the aviation heritage of the base north of the city after its closure.
During the Second World War, RAF Scampton was home to 617 Squadron which famously took part in the Dambusters raids in 1943.
Last year the MoD said three locations were shortlisted as potential new bases for the team. RAF Waddington was one of them, as well as RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
RAF Waddington turned out to be the obvious choice, besides its close proximity, with multiple intelligence and drone operations controlled from the base.
Photo: Amy Airwolfhound
Air Vice-Marshal Warren James said: “The announcement of this move will provide much needed stability for their future endeavours.
“I am delighted that we now have confirmation that the Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team, the Red Arrows, will remain in the heart of Lincolnshire.
“The Royal Air Force remains committed to the strong links it has with the county and a considerable amount of work has been carried out to secure a suitable future home location.”
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “It is good news that we have an excellent base for them at RAF Waddington, and I am delighted that they will be able to continue to practice their extraordinary aerobatic talents above RAF Scampton in their home county of Lincolnshire.”
They also presented an official petition with over 11,000 signatures to the government. Their case was thankfully heard.
Charlotte Goy, Interim CEO at Visit Lincoln, said: “This is really wonderful news and will lift everyone’s spirits during what has been a very difficult time. I’d like to thank everyone who joined our campaign and supported the petition.”
RAF Scampton is currently home to the Red Arrows. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Reactions from Lincolnshire leaders
Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill
Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is fantastic news and I’m glad the MoD recognises how well-loved the Red Arrows are by Lincolnshire residents. We value the contribution of the RAF to Lincolnshire and wish them many more years of success in their home county. Although it’s disappointing they can’t stay at Scampton, we will continue to work with West Lindsey District Council and MP Edward Leigh to ensure there is an appropriate use for that base.”
Conservative’s Karl McCartney was re-elected MP for Lincoln in the General Election 2019. Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney said: “I am delighted to hear that, all being well, the Red Arrows will continue to be based in the Lincoln area. RAF Waddington is of course very busy, but given its proximity to Scampton makes perhaps a better choice than Wittering, and is a choice that was nearly made back when I was elected for the first time back in 2010/11. It will be a pleasure working with government ministers and the MoD to make this move a success, and I look forward to seeing the the Reds flying above our city and around our glorious cathedral for many years to come.”
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh said: “I have fought to keep the RAF’s aerobatic squadron, the Red Arrows, in our skies in Lincolnshire. I am pleased that they will continue to be based in bomber county. I am however saddened that their home at the historic RAF Scampton is to close as an RAF base. I know that both Lincolnshire County and West Lindsey District councils have been working closely with the Ministry of Defence to prepare for various eventualities and I will continue to support this partnership work as the closure of the base progresses.”
WLDC leader Councillor Giles McNeill. Photo: Daniel Jaines
Giles McNeill, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “I am deeply disappointed that the decision has been taken to close RAF Scampton, whilst the Red Arrows, we are told, will continue to practice in our skies, they will not be based here. The impact of the closure of RAF Scampton is a significant disruption to the local economy and I fully expect West Lindsey District Council to play its part in building a bright future for the base beyond its closure. I would expect partnership working to continue with the Ministry of Defence and Lincolnshire County Council; but also increased participation from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and local stakeholders and residents.”
County Councillor Richard Butroid, for the Gainsborough Rural South division, which includes RAF Scampton, added: “It’s disappointing that they are moving from RAF Scampton, it is good news that they will continue to remain based in the county and we’ll continue to see them in our skies.”
West Lindsey District Councillor Roger Patterson, for the Scampton Ward, commented: “I am really sorry that RAF Scampton is scheduled for closure. It is an historic airbase and its closure will have a substantial impact locally.”
North Kesteven District Council leader Richard Wright. Photo: Steve Smailes/The Lincolnite
Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said: “I’m very pleased that the Red Arrows will be remaining in Lincolnshire. They are a much loved and appreciated part of the long aviation history of this county and it is to the benefit of the wider county that they will continue to be a part of it. I am also very happy to welcome them back to North Kesteven, as they were previously based at RAF Cranwell for a period, around 20 years ago.
“Moving to RAF Waddington will ensure their continued presence in the skies over Lincoln and Lincolnshire, and as well as extending our proud association with the RAF Aerobatic Team and extending our unrivalled legacy of aviation heritage, having the Reds based in North Kesteven will bring a welcome boost to the local economy and a community feel-good factor.”
Spotted an error? Please notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A teenage boy from Scunthorpe has gone missing and police are concerned for his wellbeing.
Kevin Smith, 15, went missing on Thursday, November 26 and has links to the South Yorkshire area as well as his hometown of Scunthorpe, but as yet cannot be located by officers.
He is described as being 5ft 5in tall, with short ginger hair, freckles and a mark under one of his eyes.
Police have conducted extensive enquiries to try and find Kevin, but cannot find him so are now appealing to the public for help.
If you have seen him or know where he is, call officers on 101 and quote incident 463 of November 26.
An icy and chilly weekend is forecast for Lincolnshire after the Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings.
A weather warning for ice is in place from 9pm on Friday until 10am on Saturday, December 5, with icy patches expected to form overnight.
In addition, a warning for snow is in place from 1.30pm on Friday and will remain in place until 9pm the same day.
The Met Office said a mixture of rain, sleet and snow will remain slow moving over the next few hours, causing tricky driving conditions.
The warnings impact on Lincoln and other areas of the county including Market Rasen, Horncastle, Skegness, Sleaford, Boston, Bourne and Spalding.
Two separate yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been put in place. | Photo: Met Office
The temperature in Lincoln at 9pm is expected to be around 3℃, dropping to 1-2℃ in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Lincoln weather forecast for Friday, December 4. | Photo: Met Office
Lincoln weather forecast for Saturday, December 5. | Photo: Met Office
Sleet and snow fell in Lincoln and other areas of the county during Friday and the Met Office said to expect some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
A trial date has been set for a 20-year-old Lincoln man who was arrested and charged with right-wing terrorism offences.
Ben John, 20, of Addison Drive in Lincoln, was charged last month with seven offences under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act, relating to possessing a record of information that would be useful for committing an act of terrorism.
He appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court on November 18 and was bailed to appear at the Old Bailey in London on Friday, December 4.
A plea and trial preparation hearing has since been listed for March 12, 2021 and a trial date set for August 2.
No pleas were entered when John attended Friday’s hearing, and the case has now been transferred to Nottingham Crown Court where the remaining hearings will take place.
John had previously been arrested as part of a pre-planned operation from Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands on January 7 this year, but was released under investigation.
Kerrin Wilson, Assistant Chief Constable at Lincolnshire Police, previously said: “We can’t currently discuss the details of this case due to the active criminal proceedings, but these charges show how seriously we take offences of this nature.
“If someone has revealed to you a plan to harm others, or you know they hold information which could be used to plan or prepare for an act of terrorism, it is vital you report it as soon as possible.”
Whatsapp
