Southampton Airport has officially launched a year of celebrations planned for 2010 which will mark the centenary of flight in south Hampshire. The event saw over 100 guests gather to learn the history of the airport, hear the planned activities for 2010, and to understand the economic importance of aviation and aerospace industries in south Hampshire, as presented by Chris Huhne MP.
Background
2010 is a very special year for Southampton Airport, as it marks 100 years since the first ever flight. Back in 1910, local man, Edwin Rowland Moon, triumphantly flew his homemade Moonbeam II aircraft from the fields of North Stoneham Farm (which is now Southampton Airport), at a time when aircraft were in their infancy.
This demonstration of innovation and ingenuity inspired many more local people to design and build aircraft around the south Hampshire region, including the world famous WWII Spitfire aircraft, and Skeeter helicopters to name but a few.
Today, thousands of local people are employed in aviation and aerospace industries in a range of businesses functions from supplying materials and providing services, to specialised aeronautical engineering including space satellites.
Eastleigh MP, Chris Huhne, commented: “This is a great anniversary for Southampton Airport, which is a key part of the attractiveness of South Hampshire for new and growing business which look to Europe and beyond for opportunities. The airport is not only the largest local employer in Eastleigh, but it is also one of the most traveller-friendly airports I have ever used.
“The airport’s history - from its early beginnings as a grass field through to the proving ground for the Spitfire that protected our freedom and on to the modern regional hub today – is as grand as they come. Happy 100th birthday!”
A Year of Celebration in 2010 – www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
To mark the centenary year in 2010, a series of events are being planned throughout the region by various organisations, to celebrate Hampshire’s rich and proud historical links to aviation and aerospace industries. The activities aim to celebrate the innovation that continues to grow today, and further encourage inward investment to the region. The events will be publicised through a dedicated centenary website, http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk/, which has been developed by Hampshire County Council.
EastleighBorough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council has submitted a request for a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which includes a Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, during summer 2010. The Spitfire is of particular relevance as it was designed and built locally. The Memorial Flight will also be celebrating their 70th anniversary during 2010. The public will be able to view the activities from advertised vantage points.
Councillor Peter Wall, commented: “Eastleigh is proud of its heritage and links with transport. The 100th anniversary of flight will provide an ideal opportunity to mark the important part that Eastleigh and its people have played in developing aviation. We want to inspire our younger citizens to see a future in developing new ideas and concepts for the airport in the future.
As part of the event the Council has requested a flypast by the Battle of Britain memorial flight. This will include the world famous Spitfire aircraft that first flew from Eastleigh in 1936. So the anniversary is about the past but it’s also about the present and future too.”
SouthamptonCity Council
Southampton City Council will be organising an exhibition at the Maritime Museum, which was previously known as the Wool House and belonged to the family of Rowland Moon. The building was primarily used for boat building, however Edwin used a corner of this workshop to develop the Moonbeam aircraft. ‘In the corner of a garage’ will be held in summer 2010 telling the story of how the first plane to fly from Southampton Airport was built in the Wool House.
The council will also be holding a ‘Paper Planes’ competition to celebrate the themes of flight and speed in summer 2010. Artists of all ages will be warmly invited to submit their paintings, photographs and other art works for consideration by a panel of distinguished judges who will select artworks for display in Southampton City Art Gallery.
The Southern Daily Echo
The Southern Daily Echo is planning to produce a dedicated newspaper supplement to celebrate the centenary celebration, as well as featuring the journeys of 100 different airport passengers and the story behind their travels in the region.
Universityof Southampton
The University of Southampton will be hosting a special RJ Mitchell lecture in memory of the local man who designed and built the Spitfire which took its maiden flight from Southampton Airport in 1936.
Glenn Harris from the University of Southampton, said: "The lecture is dedicated to RJ Mitchell, the designer of many aircraft including the world famous Supermarine S6B and the Spitfire, whose lifetime commitment to aviation development in this country and the world was spent here in Southampton."
SouthamptonAirport
Southampton Airport will be redeveloping the airport's Departure Lounge during 2010, and plan a VIP opening during the summer, which will become part of the centenary celebrations.
The airport and The BAA Communities Trust (BAA’s own charity) are also supporting the PUSH Ahead Challenge for 2010. PUSH stands for Partnership for Urban South Hampshire and links 11 local authorities. The challenge provides an enterprise, innovation and business challenge available to every Hampshire school to inspire young entrepreneurs to develop business ideas. Angela Wright, Chief Executive of Solent Skill Quest, said: “We are very excited that Southampton Airport are supporting the PUSH Ahead Challenge for 2010, which will be themed around the airport’s easy, fast and friendly nature.” Previous winners have gone on to internationally patent their aluminous tent peg product, and further develop their product for new markets in the boating world.
Southampton Airport, The BAA Communities Trust, and The Point Theatre in Eastleigh will be linking together in 2010 to run an outreach project where 100 young people research their own family history to see how this links to the region and aviation. The most fascinating local stories will be woven together into a centenary theatrical production, covering the decades from 1910 - 2010. Crispian Cook, Arts Development Manager at The Point, said: “The Point, Eastleigh is looking forward to working with BAA on the centenary celebrations and plan to engage a wide cross section of the local community in a range of exciting projects to remember the past, and use local memories to inspire new pieces of theatre, dance and music.”
Other organisations which are planning to take part in the centenary celebrations, include; Flybe, Aurigny Air Services, Air France, Blue Islands, Skybus, Business Southampton, Tourism South East, The Concorde Club, Gordon Keeble Cars Owners Club, Solent Sky Museum, and Botley Park Hotel.
Jan Halliday, Director of Marketing & Communications for Southampton Airport, added: “A century ago flying was a brand new and exciting technology which drew crowds of spectators every time an aircraft took off. In 2010 we celebrate 100 years of flying at Southampton Airport, which has resulted in the development of aviation and aerospace industry in this region. The launch today brings together many organisations who are already planning events for 2010, and we hope that many more will join the celebrations.”
For the latest update on the centenary celebrations, please visit www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk.
Media enquiries: Jan Halliday, Director of Marketing & Communications, Southampton Airport
Debbie Chalk, Media & Communications Executive, Southampton Airport - Tel: + 44 (0)23 8062 7141