21 September 2016

Aviation expert gives seal of approval to Solent Airport at Daedalus

Internationally acclaimed aviation expert David Learmount has given his seal of approval to Solent Airport at Daedalus following a visit on 20th September.

Mr Learmount, a regular broadcaster on aviation and air travel for international television and radio stations throughout the world, was welcomed to Solent Airport by Executive Leader Cllr Seán Woodward, Cllr Jon Butts and the airport’s operator RCAM.

The purpose of the visit was to outline Fareham Borough Council’s vision for the site, to assure him of the Council’s ongoing commitment to aviation, and to show how far the site has come since ownership passed to the Council in March 2015.

Cllr Woodward said: “It was a privilege to meet David in person and share with him the successes we have achieved here to date.”

David Learmount said: “Having been instinctively sceptical about Fareham Borough Council’s plans for Daedalus, I admit now to being impressed at their considerable investment in the aerodrome infrastructure, the ambitious plans for attracting high-tech aerospace and marine industries to the airfield development sites, and for supporting them once there. Behind all this is an infectious enthusiasm among people at all levels born of a respect for Daedalus’ long aviation history and a determination to capitalise on it.”

ENDS

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13 September 2016

Sculpture unveiled to celebrate fifty years of Fareham-Vannes twinning

A specially commissioned sculpture has been unveiled (Monday 12 September) in Westbury Manor Museum gardens, to celebrate 50 years of Fareham being twinned with Vannes, France.

The sculpture, which is approximately 3 metres high, has been designed to stand as a permanent reminder of the strength of ties between the two towns.

Speaking after unveiling the statue, the Mayor of Fareham, Cllr Connie Hockley, said:

“Over the past 50 years ties between Fareham and Vannes have gone from strength to strength. It was a pleasure to welcome representatives from Vannes as we celebrated this anniversary and with this statue we now have a lasting reminder of our friendship.”

Anyone can go and admire the sculpture in the gardens, which are open daily. Next to the sculpture there is a plaque which describes the concept behind it:

“The strong trunk in two halves represents the two towns intertwining to signify their bond. Each trunk culminates in five branches, symbolising friendships that have blossomed. The gilded spheres seem to explode in celebration. The sculpture sits on its stone base, telling us the twinning of the two towns will last well into the future.”

As part of the anniversary celebrations, a Freedom March was held through Fareham town centre. Around 150 sailors from HMS Collingwood exercised their ‘Freedom of the Borough,’ marching through Fareham with ‘colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed.’ They were accompanied by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines.

Since twinning arrangements began in 1966, more than 2,500 young people have discovered Fareham or Vannes during school or sporting exchanges while for adults there have been sporting, cultural and professional exchanges.

ENDS