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DUXFORD A BLOODY DISGRACE

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by BluearmyITFC (U1799631) on Monday, 12th September 2005

  I'm sorry for this out burst, I took two chaps to Duxford today 11.09.05 both from 152 (Hyderabad) F.Sqn, The first chap was Mr Ray Johnson 86 years old an armourer during the Battle Of Britain, The second Chap was W/O Angus Gray 75 years old flew Mk 8's and Mk 14's in Burma, I should say at this point I did mange to get Ray a free ticket to get into Duxford But still had to pay Β£15.00 pounds for Angus and Β£23.00 for myself, After walking up and down for about two hours I asked a member of staff if there was a marquee for ex veterans he said only for Gold or Platinum ticket holders, After a small exchange of words I did mange to get them into the Duxford Guest Marquee so thay could sit down and rest.
  I dont know what other people think but I think Duxford should put up a marquee for ex veterans of the R.A.F and let them into airshows for free, I also feel that Duxford is more interested in making Money and not very interested in ex veterans of the R.A.F. I look forward to reading your comments and would welcome some from Duxford to contact me about this.
  I hope people dont mind me posting this.
  Cheers Rob....

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by DaveMBA (U1360771) on Tuesday, 13th September 2005

  I was at Duxford on Saturday and took my mother into the Gold stand, which she enjoyed very much (she was a 10 year girl living in Surrey during the Battle of Britain).
  
  How exactly do you propose to run your suggestion? I am sure your guests are who they say they are, but could you prove it? Duxford allowed all over-60s in for free for the VE show, but you cannot have "open house" for any older person. There were certainly veterans' orgs there on both days, for whom special arrangemnents were made, so the answer is to join one of these groups. Duxford is a comemrcial operation - and I was quite happy to pay quite a bit to give my mother a nice day out. they can make a fuss of a group, but it is simply not practical to handle everyone who shows up at the gate on the day.
  
  A friend of mine of mine in central Europe is a big Arsenal fan and thought he could turn up on spec at he ground, but it is pretty well booked out for the next two years. My advice to hi and his friends was to form an Arsenal supporters' group and contact the club. It is the same for these shows.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by colonelblimp (U1705702) on Tuesday, 13th September 2005

  I tend to agree that war veterans (of any Service), like your two friends, should be given free admission. If, on the other hand, you mean that anyone who has ever been a member of the RAF should be allowed in free, then I beg to differ.
  
  As has already been said, the problem would lie in establishing visitors' status as veterans: membership of a recognised association does seem the best idea.
  
  Incidentally, I assume the age you quote for Mr Gray is a typo?

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Gilgamesh of Uruk (U211168) on Wednesday, 14th September 2005

  Perhaps someone like the RBL could administer a schem whereby pensioners (either OAPs or War Disability) could gain cheap (preferably free) admission to Duxford & other IWM sites and other War museums? The other point is - how much do you now pay to visit the V&A, Tate, Tate Britain etc? Why is "ART" worthy of state support, but "HISTORY" has to pay its own way?

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by colonelblimp (U1705702) on Wednesday, 14th September 2005

  The IWM itself, along with the RAF Museum, does have free admission at present (though I would make the most of it, I bet it won't last for ever!). The National Army Museum has always been free, as far as I know.

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