Latest news with #GoSkydive
BBC News
24-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Protecting Old Sarum Airfield is about 'protecting our heritage'
Protecting the hangars on an historic airfield after one was gutted by a huge fire is a matter of safeguarding "our national heritage," according to the proprietor of a collection of vintage blaze destroyed the Grade II*-listed hangar three and the neighbouring cafe at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on the evening of 17 Sharpe, of the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, said his first response to the news was "absolute panic" followed by sadness at the loss of people's collection is housed in a neighbouring hangar, but he warned all of the buildings are of the same World War One-era design and could be vulnerable to fire. Speaking to BBC West, Mr Sharpe said: "My immediate reaction was absolute panic."(Colleagues) calmed my down by saying its hanger three, so I suppose my reaction was considerable relief, but then also a certain amount of sadness - people's livelihoods were going up in smoke."He continued: "They are old buildings, we all know the problems with them, but also the number left in the UK now are reduced by another pair and that's really sad.""It's really concerning because the building that we occupy is exactly the same as the one that went up in flames." Mr Sharpe said he and colleagues are now debating whether or not the fire safety systems are sufficient to protect the collection."(We have) a lot of aircraft that are one-offs and if they go they can't be replaced, it's as simple as that."We have to do what ever we can to protect what is effectively our national heritage." Gordon Blamire, founder of Go Skydive, which has the site adjacent to Hangar three and the cafe, was driving back from Heathrow Airport when he heard the news of the said his initial feeling was one of "helplessness"."I got here just as the last of the fire was burning," he said."We just went straight into 'how do we resolve things' - no one was hurt and that's a great starting place." Some of Mr Blamire's staff were still on-site when the fire broke out and were able to rescue some of the Blamire said the business was fortunate because "we are in a place where we've got aircraft and we've got parachutes and we are in a position to carry on operating"."Resilience is a key part of this business, we are going to rebuild and will be open again by Friday," he fire broke out just a week after developers - Old Sarum Airfield Ltd - were given the go-ahead for up to 315 homes to be built there following a battle for permission. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has said its investigations "are likely to carry on well into next week".
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Salisbury airfield fire devastating for community says firm
A skydive group says a fire which ripped through a Grade II*-listed World War One airfield hangar is "devastating" for the are ongoing into the huge blaze that broke out at the Old Sarum Airfield on Lancaster Road in Salisbury on Thursday blaze completely destroyed a hangar and the adjacent restaurant and cafe. GoSkydive, based at the airfield, said it had also spread to their premises and the firm had cancelled all skydiving activities while safety checks were carried said "while the damage is only partial, safety is and always will be our absolute priority". The firm said "our hearts are particularly heavy for our friends" at the cafe which "lost their entire premises"."They have been more than just neighbours – they've been an essential part of the GoSkydive experience, serving countless customers and staff over the years," a spokesperson fire comes just a week after developers - Old Sarum Airfield Ltd - were given the go-ahead for up to 315 homes to be built director Gary Squires said he was "deeply saddened" by the damage and the company was "co-operating fully with the authorities" while awaiting the outcomes of the investigations."Our immediate focus is on supporting the investigation and assessing the extent of the damage," he said. GoSkydive said it has cancelled all skydiving activities over Easter weekend to "thoroughly assess" the damage to its premises."Looking ahead, we anticipate resuming our operations in early May, subject to completing all necessary safety investigations and weather conditions permitting", it said."For those with bookings affected by this closure, our customer service team will be in touch directly to arrange alternative dates."
