We had the questionniare. Options included (from memory) £10 to camp, £3 per exhibit fee, £6 booking fee, £5 programme and plaque fee. Show cost £80,000 to stage last year and profit was £7,000. Didn't stop them booking the flypast which cost thousands and despite hearing the Merlin engined Spitfire overhead is not a core attraction and whilst being the biggest exhibit expense probably didn't get a single new punter through the gate. Why cannot the numbskulls running this show realise this as areo fans will have gone to Biggin Hill a couple of weeks before or just sat outside the gate and watched for free????
Every single person I spoke to said they were not coming if they are charged. 7 marshalls have resigned already. We met the hag on the gate on the Thursday who demanded we have a green wristband and not an orange one. Seeing as they only posted orange ones that caused a sticking point. After much huffing and puffing we were allowed in. The actual show was as usual fabulous with Alan & Mandy Latham (who have both quit unfortunately and will be a great loss) the steam marshalls doing a great job and welcoming everyone in and making sure everyone was settled.
We need to save this great event. Charging the exhibitors isn't the way
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