I don't normally pay much attention to the rants of the Daily Fail but on this occasion I shall make an exception. Two days ago a century of aviation history pivotal to both the defence of this country, and the spark of innovation that is everything British came to an end. Bristol (Filton) Airport closed.
I could write a book about this place and what it means to me, my family and to the country. In fact I damn well should, and if I do, then you saw and read the manuscript here first, folks.
What can I say about this place? I will start with my recollection of a wintry day as a spotty teenager. I had managed to bunk off school - officially - and stood at a fence in a dodgy part of Bristol that had seen better days, when the air was rent asunder by a noise I had only heard the equal of six years earlier, and majestically and as if by magic a great white bird rose off the tarmac and ascended into her place in history.
Read more...