Latest news with #ManstonAirport
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Fury as iconic market that's the ‘heart & soul of tiny UK village's economy' is suddenly AXED by airport chiefs
Devastated fans said they were 'crying' after the news broke END OF AN ERA Fury as iconic market that's the 'heart & soul of tiny UK village's economy' is suddenly AXED by airport chiefs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOCALS have slammed the decision to shut down the "heart and soul" of their tiny village's livelihood. Airport bosses have scrapped the weekend market held at an airfield in Thanet, Kent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The iconic market stalls at Manston Airport have been axed Credit: Instagram/@manstonairfieldmarket/ 4 Thanet District Council were initially blamed but it later emerged the decision was made by airfield bosses Credit: Instagram/@manstonairfieldmarket/ The iconic stalls, set up at Manston Airport, had been popular with the community since opening last year. The owners made their devastating announcement on social media this week. In an "important notice" on Facebook, Stevens Markets wrote: "Market closed permanently. "It comes with great sadness that we have had to stop operating at the Manston airfield market. "I just want to say a huge thank you to all the supporters out there. "That stuck with us when everyone else was going against us. It means a lot and you can continue to follow our journey with bray markets. "All traders that paid a two week deposit, we will be refunding this to you and we will give you more information on how to get this back in due course." The statement appears to blame Thanet District Council for rejecting planning permission applications. But, it has now been reported it was due to the airport - not the local authority. However, it has subsequently emerged the decision was actually taken by the airport itself and not Thanet District Council. The Viking Centre: Britain's first American-style mall faces demolition Fans and residents hailed the market and penned messages of support. "What a sad day for everyone," wrote one under the Facebook statement. "Wow I'm gutted loved coming up there," another agreed. A third added: "Oh my god that's terrible enjoyed going there every weekend, met some really nice traders." An independent trader wrote: "I'm absolutely gutted! Hands down this market saved my business! I have absolutely no words." "No I'm crying, this is so sad," echoed another. Heartbroken Les Stevens, of Stevens Markets, told KentOnline: 'Planning had been going through but then we got a memo from the airport saying we had to cease trading. "I have no idea why. But it wasn't the council as we first believed. 'I was in Turkey at the time and had just been told planning wasn't granted.' A spokesperson for Thanet District Council said: 'The market needs planning permission to continue to operate on the Manston Airport site. Council officers contacted the operator and requested a planning application, to change the use of the land. 'To date, an application has not been received and therefore no application has been rejected.' The thriving market was heaving every week and Lee Stevens added how they are looking for a new location. It is understood there may be two sites in consideration, with one being close to Manston. Stallholders have also been told they will be given their deposits back. Airport execs made the move as they continue with development on the airfield. It is understood to be considering two sites - at least one of which is close to Manston. A spokesperson for airport owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) said: 'Manston Airport and the operators of the Saturday market have decided to part company by mutual consent. "It is understood that the market is now pursuing other sites in east Kent.' 4 Fans were "crying" after learning of the closure Credit: Facebook
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Fury as iconic market that's the ‘heart & soul of tiny UK village's economy' is suddenly AXED by airport chiefs
LOCALS have slammed the decision to shut down the "heart and soul" of their tiny village's livelihood. Airport bosses have scrapped the weekend market held at an airfield in Thanet, Kent. 4 The iconic market stalls at Manston Airport have been axed Credit: Instagram/@manstonairfieldmarket/ 4 Thanet District Council were initially blamed but it later emerged the decision was made by airfield bosses Credit: Instagram/@manstonairfieldmarket/ The iconic stalls, set up at Manston Airport, had been popular with the community since opening last year. The owners made their devastating announcement on social media this week. In an "important notice" on Facebook, Stevens Markets wrote: "Market closed permanently. "It comes with great sadness that we have had to stop operating at the Manston airfield market. "I just want to say a huge thank you to all the supporters out there. "That stuck with us when everyone else was going against us. It means a lot and you can continue to follow our journey with bray markets. "All traders that paid a two week deposit, we will be refunding this to you and we will give you more information on how to get this back in due course." The statement appears to blame Thanet District Council for rejecting planning permission applications. Most read in The Sun But, it has now been reported it was due to the airport - not the local authority. However, it has subsequently emerged the decision was actually taken by the airport itself and not Thanet District Council. The Viking Centre: Britain's first American-style mall faces demolition Fans and residents hailed the market and penned messages of support. "What a sad day for everyone," wrote one under the Facebook statement. "Wow I'm gutted loved coming up there," another agreed. A third added: "Oh my god that's terrible enjoyed going there every weekend, met some really nice traders." An independent trader wrote: "I'm absolutely gutted! Hands down this market saved my business! I have absolutely no words." "No I'm crying, this is so sad," echoed another. Heartbroken Les Stevens, of Stevens Markets, told "I have no idea why. But it wasn't the council as we first believed. 'I was in Turkey at the time and had just been told planning wasn't granted.' A spokesperson for Thanet District Council said: 'The market needs planning permission to continue to operate on the Manston Airport site. Council officers contacted the operator and requested a planning application, to change the use of the land. 'To date, an application has not been received and therefore no application has been rejected.' The thriving market was heaving every week and Lee Stevens added how they are looking for a new location. It is understood there may be two sites in consideration, with one being close to Manston. Stallholders have also been told they will be given their deposits back. Airport execs made the move as they continue with development on the airfield. It is understood to be considering two sites - at least one of which is close to Manston. Read more on the Irish Sun A spokesperson for airport owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) said: 'Manston Airport and the operators of the Saturday market have decided to part company by mutual consent. "It is understood that the market is now pursuing other sites in east Kent.' 4 Fans were "crying" after learning of the closure Credit: Facebook 4 The owners are looking for two new locations Credit: Instagram/@manstonairfieldmarket/
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Fury as iconic market that's the ‘heart & soul of tiny UK village's economy' is suddenly AXED by airport chiefs
LOCALS have slammed the decision to shut down the "heart and soul" of their tiny village's livelihood. Airport bosses have scrapped the weekend market held at an airfield in Thanet, Kent. 4 4 The iconic stalls, set up at Manston Airport, had been popular with the community since opening last year. The owners made their devastating announcement on social media this week. In an "important notice" on Facebook, Stevens Markets wrote: "Market closed permanently. "It comes with great sadness that we have had to stop operating at the Manston airfield market. "I just want to say a huge thank you to all the supporters out there. "That stuck with us when everyone else was going against us. It means a lot and you can continue to follow our journey with bray markets. "All traders that paid a two week deposit, we will be refunding this to you and we will give you more information on how to get this back in due course." The statement appears to blame Thanet District Council for rejecting planning permission applications. But, it has now been reported it was due to the airport - not the local authority. However, it has subsequently emerged the decision was actually taken by the airport itself and not Thanet District Council. The Viking Centre: Britain's first American-style mall faces demolition Fans and residents hailed the market and penned messages of support. "What a sad day for everyone," wrote one under the Facebook statement. "Wow I'm gutted loved coming up there," another agreed. A third added: "Oh my god that's terrible enjoyed going there every weekend, met some really nice traders." An independent trader wrote: "I'm absolutely gutted! Hands down this market saved my business! I have absolutely no words." "No I'm crying, this is so sad," echoed another. Heartbroken Les Stevens, of Stevens Markets, told KentOnline: 'Planning had been going through but then we got a memo from the airport saying we had to cease trading. "I have no idea why. But it wasn't the council as we first believed. 'I was in Turkey at the time and had just been told planning wasn't granted.' A spokesperson for Thanet District Council said: 'The market needs planning permission to continue to operate on the Manston Airport site. Council officers contacted the operator and requested a planning application, to change the use of the land. 'To date, an application has not been received and therefore no application has been rejected.' The thriving market was heaving every week and Lee Stevens added how they are looking for a new location. It is understood there may be two sites in consideration, with one being close to Manston. Stallholders have also been told they will be given their deposits back. Airport execs made the move as they continue with development on the airfield. It is understood to be considering two sites - at least one of which is close to Manston. A spokesperson for airport owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) said: 'Manston Airport and the operators of the Saturday market have decided to part company by mutual consent. "It is understood that the market is now pursuing other sites in east Kent.' 4 4
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Paul Hollywood rushes to pilot's aid after horror plane crash in field
A pilot has recounted how Bake Off's Paul Hollywood came to his rescue after he was left blinded and struggling to breathe when his plane crashed. At noon yesterday, shortly after departing from Manston Airport in Kent, disaster struck for 58-year-old Iain Stingemore when he found himself plummeting to the ground just moments after taking to the skies. The pilot was flying at a mere couple of hundred feet altitude and had 15 seconds to act between the catastrophic failure and his aircraft ploughing into a field near Thorne Hill, Minster. However, celebrity baker Paul Hollywood came to his rescue in an extraordinary twist of fate, with the Channel 4 star practising flying nearby. The Great British Bake Off judge was mid-way through a flying lesson withPolar Helicopters when he made an impromptu landing to rush to Stingemore's aid. Recounting the incident to KentOnline, the shaken gas engineer said, "Paul Hollywood was having a flying lesson and he checked to see if I was okay," adding, "It wasn't how I planned to meet him but he checked to see if I was okay. I said to him: 'I don't suppose you planned on doing this on your lesson?'" The local community swiftly rallied to assist, with individuals from all over Manston hurrying to retrieve the damaged plane. Despite the harrowing ordeal, Mr. Stingemore credited his narrow escape to his extensive flight training and experience. Five fire engines attended the scene after reports of an "emergency aircraft landing". While Mr. Stingemore escaped without serious injury, with just a graze on his leg and "damaged pride". Recounting the crash, Mr. Stingemore said: "I was about to fly back to Stoke in Medway. I was flying out of Manston, turned right to cross the road, the canopy came off and I had about 15 seconds before I landed. "I was at about a couple of hundred feet and climbing. I couldn't breathe or see anything." Adding a lighter note to the tale, Mr. Stingemore spoke of a neighbour's well-meaning yet comically improvised efforts: "The owner of the house next door rushed out to help," he explained. "He bought a box of rusty tools over to help get the plane over to the airfield." Undaunted by the harrowing ordeal, Mr. Stingemore is already plotting his return to the skies tonight in a different aircraft, since his previous one is beyond repair. Recalling the hair-raising moment, he added, "It takes you a few seconds before you realise there is no way out. Thankfully, I was very well-trained, didn't panic, and you have to set the plane up to get it as flat and level as possible. "It could've been very different. A lot of people panic in this situation."
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Dramatic moment Paul Hollywood swooped in on his helicopter to rescue stricken pilot who crashed his aircraft into farmer's field
This is the dramatic moment after Paul Hollywood swooped in on his helicopter to help rescue a stricken pilot who had crashed his light aircraft into a farmer's field. The Great British Bake Off host was on a flying lesson at the time but was the first to answer a mayday call issued by the pilot. Guided by his instructor, he hovered down to the field and landed before he and his trainer dashed over to help. The pilot had managed to climb out of the wreckage, dazed and with cuts to his leg but otherwise not seriously hurt. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the pilot Iain Stingemore, 58, said: 'I'd just climbed out of the plane after crash-landing and noticed someone walking over towards me. 'As he got closer, I realised who it was and thought to myself 'oh God it's Paul Hollywood. 'The first thing he said was 'are you ok?' and luckily enough I was. 'He stayed with me for about half-an-hour checking over me and asking me if I needed anything. I was really grateful for that. 'He'd been on a flying lesson and when I got into difficulty, Manston Airport put a call-out for anyone nearby to help. 'And it was Paul and his instructor who came to rescue me. I got speaking to him and told him that it was nice to meet him despite the circumstances. 'I even joked it was a shame he didn't bring any cakes. He was a great bloke, I couldn't have asked for any more.' Recalling the crash, Mr Stingemore, who has 130-flying hours after earning his pilot's licence two years ago, added: 'I'd taken off and banked to the right over the road but as I did so the canopy came loose and despite my best efforts to reattach, it slipped right out of my hands and flew off behind the aircraft. 'I lost all air speed and just dropped. 'I was lucky I didn't panic because it took a couple of seconds to register what happened but I did all I could to get the plane into the wind and kept it as flat and level as I could to land. 'There wasn't a huge amount of damage fortunately and the landing was as clean as I could have hoped for. 'I didn't have any injuries save for a grazed leg and a bruised rib.' Mr Stingemore had just taken off from Manston Airfield in Kent at 12.15pm this afternoon when the plane's canopy snapped off forcing him to take emergency action. A dog walker who was returning home and watched the drama unfold filmed the moment Hollywood arrived on the scene. She told MailOnline today: 'I couldn't believe it was him who was the first on the scene. 'He'd been having a helicopter lesson at the time and landed with his instructor in the field to see if they could help the pilot whose plane had just crash landed. 'Paul was the first to answer the call-out and was there in just a couple of minutes. He looked a bit stunned but fortunately the pilot appeared to be in fairly good health - all things considered -and so he wasn't dealing with a disaster. 'I could see the pilot was walking-wounded - he had grazes on his legs and was obviously in shock but other than that I couldn't see any serious injuries. 'I'd already called the emergency services and I could see Paul pacing up and down on the phone himself by the wreckage. 'Someone from Manston then arrived in a 4X4 and took the injured pilot away back to the airport. 'From what I understand, the paramedics were heading there to meet him as he wasn't badly hurt.' The 49-year-old mother of two, who was with her husband this afternoon, asked not to be named but added: 'The crash looked quite dramatic. The plane took off but it was only in the air for a matter of seconds before the canopy broke off and went all over the road. 'The plane went up slightly and then down and disappeared from view. We followed the direction it had headed and eventually saw the plane had made a crash landing in a nearby farmer's field. 'My husband ran over to check the pilot was ok while I dialled 999. Then Paul Hollywood landed in his helicopter. It was very surreal.' Hollywood has been learning to fly his Robinson Raven chopper since last summer and has been landing the aircraft on a strip of land between his farmhouse and the local pub in the tranquil village of Smarden, Kent. He is understood keep his helicopter at Manston Airport as he continues to work towards his private license, which is obtained after 45 hours of flight instruction consisting of 25 hours of dual flight instruction and 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least five hours of solo cross country. Five hours may be completed in an approved flight simulator. Hollywood, who forked out £21,000 for sessions in a Second World War Spitfire, began training to become a pilot two years ago in a bid to escape the 'madness' of his celebrity life. He explained at the time: 'It's just you, a machine, and you're away from all the madness. Of course I'm a bit nervous. But up there you've got total freedom.' Flight records show that Paul has been flying solo across the UK. He is even said to have installed a windsock in his garden to monitor flying conditions. There are concerns among locals, however, that his plans to use the helicopter to travel to the Bake Off tent for filming could increase the disturbance. Hollywood has been a judge on the hit TV show Great British Bake Off since it started in 2010, co-hosting firstly with Dame Mary Berry and then Dame Prue Leith. The star was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle for his services to baking and broadcasting last April.
