Why Not Manston Newsletter July 2015
Dear Members and Supporters
In May 2015 WNM? held their 3rd AGM and the Committee were very pleased to see that many members and supporters of Why Not Manston? as well as Supporters of Manston Airport attended the meeting. As it was just after the general and local elections our new representatives were invited along to speak and we were pleased that the newly elected MP for Thanet South Craig MacKinlay and the new Leader of TDC Mr Chris Wells did indeed attend and spoke eloquently on behalf of Manston Airport.
The minutes of the AGM are posted on our website for your detailed information.
In his statement our Chairman, Nicholas Reed, announced that he would be standing down and asked if anyone attending the meeting would like to put themselves forward for the position of Chairman. No one did. Rather than dissolve the group that evening it was decided to delay Nicholas Reed’s resignation for one month so more time could be given to finding a new Chairman for our group.
At WNM’s most recent Committee meeting, we welcomed Mr Henry Bolton, further to his recent offer of assuming the mantle and responsibilities of Chairman. After due deliberation the Executive committee accepted Henry as Chairman. We are also pleased to note that Nicholas Reed will remain a committee member. Henry Bolton is passionate about halting the short-sighted destruction of irreplaceable long term economic and commercial infrastructure and social assets such as Manston Airport.
Amongst many other attributes, in 2013 our new Chairman was invested with the OBE by HM The Queen for services to international security and he has extensive experience of the chairing of groups and meetings from high level international ministerial level conferences to local residents’ meetings.
A “welcome” letter from Henry Bolton will be added to WNM’s web site.
Geoff Illsley, our Vice Chairman, sent a letter on behalf of Why Not Manston, to Thanet District Council’s Planning Department objecting to the recent application from the co owners of the closed Manston airport for the change of use of Building 1:AvMan Hanger. Anyone also wishing to object can do so by writing to Mr Iain Livingstone, Planning Officer, Thanet District Council. A copy of this letter is available from myself at my email address, below.
On Tuesday 14th July at 7pm an Extraordinary Council meeting will be held in the Council Chamber offices at Thanet Council, which will inform Cabinet of a recommendation by Council on the 21st May for Cabinet to review it’s position on a CPO for Manston Airport and if agreed to recommend to Cabinet the next steps for that review. To obtain an agenda please e mail, Charles Hungwe at charles.hungwe@thanet.gov.uk – direct dial (01843) 577186), or contact myself, Lynda Smith, membership.wnm@gmail.com and I shall forward you a copy.
Finally – Supporters of Manston Airport (SuMA) would like to invite you to please support their Quiz Night on Thursday 9th July. Events such as these are held to raise funds for the continued campaign to Save Manston which are used for expenses such as adverts etc.
Cost is £4.00 per head, with a maximum of 6 persons per team
So please come along on Thursday 9th July at 7.30pm to the Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs
Best wishes
Lynda Smith, Membership Secretary, Why Not Manston?