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Where to go, the big question! |
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The story goes... Many years ago a Welsh farmer became very unhappy about the amount of aircraft flying low over his farm. |
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In contact with the Welsh farmer (see above) recently I can add more to the story. He painted the Biggles comment back in 1986 after months of frustration. Having moved into the farm house, which had been empty for a number of years, it appeared to him that the RAF were using the house (which stands on a prominent rock outcrop in a deserted valley) as a 'target'. The jets were flying low over his house day and night alarming his young children. A Hercules at mid-night on one occasion appeared to be below the level of his house. He quite properly informed the MOD that he was now
living in the house, but got very little response from them. After painting 'Piss off Biggles' he told me that; "contrary to the myth, once I stopped complaining to the MOD and put up the Biggles sign things got better, it seemed to appeal to the pilots' sense of humour. They appeared to fly higher and showed more consideration". He also added that a friend in the RAF had been asked by an American pilot, "Whats a Biggle?" |
Where to go, my fears. Some years ago I did not know where to go. I sent emails to one or two people and did not get a reply. I then spent some time gathering information from the Internet on low flying areas and looking for tight valleys or choke points where the low flying is funnelled. It does not take too long before you start to see where the aircraft fly. Eventually you meet people and when you are trusted, they might well give you more tips on where to go. Also, I met a good friend from Italy, he wanted to do some low-level photography. I ended up taking him to a place where I said jokingly; "Now I have to blindfold you, for the final ascent". After explaining my reasons, he said; "This is like when people don't reveal where the best places are to pick mushrooms". I like that comment; if you do find a good place to pick mushrooms then surely you should not provide details of it on a forum or website? The next time you go, everyone else will have picked the mushrooms and trampled over the ground, left BBQ debris and beer cans from the previous evening etc. I would guess that you would not say where you pick the best mushrooms! All the places I know, don't have supermarket style car parks, in fact some places don't have any places to park at all. One particular low level location has a parking place for just one car, and the landowners have said that the road should be kept clear. I now take a bicycle in the car boot and park a mile up the road and cycle to the location, hide the bike, and then climb the hill. If I was to provide details of this location, then what do you think would happen? After I have driven the 200 miles to get there, I will find that someone has parked in the one and only place, annoyed the landowner, who may then have called the Police. Consequently no one would be able to go to this location anymore. Originally this location took a day to find on a weekend. I took my Ordnance Survey map with me and hiked around the area, to find the remote vantage point. There are places where there is adequate parking and the land is now governed by the Countryside Right of Way Act (CROW) otherwise known as 'Right to Roam' which allows public access. But, there will be ample room for as long as the numbers visiting don't increase significantly over the present level. If every visitor passes on the information to just one friend, eventually the place will become overwhelmed. The favourite places of the regulars are now well known and documented on one or two websites. I am sure you will find what you need from the Internet. Philip Stevens |
