THE Clacton Air Show got us thinking.

It was a fantastic event and after witnessing the fabulous Red Arrows and the heart-warming reaction to Battle of Britain memorial flight at this year’s air show, it’s fair to say the event doesn’tneed any more excitement.

But after the display teams wowed the crowds the planes quickly headed back off to an airstrip in Southend or further afield. It seemed like a waste to us.

All that firepower lurking in the skies with nothing to use it on.

Couldn’t they have been put to any additional uses while they were in the district?

With most of Tendring either crammed onto the promenade, packed onto the beach or craning their necks from a seafront home, it left the rest of the district open to some “creative bombing” – only carried out of course where there was no chance of any deaths or injuries.

Organisers Tendring Council could give businesses an added incentive to sponsor a plane and let them pick a competitor as a target on the way home.

The authorities can’t wait to get their hands on Jaywick to level it but the pesky residents don’t want to give up their homes.

Next time they are nearby at the air show, the planes could start the clearing process.

Rail bosses would presumably like to send the Battle of Britain planes to dear old Frinton to get rid of the gates once and for all. A dogfight would inevitably ensue over Clacton town centre between the Blades display team sent to blow the fountain up and Tendring Council’s “Hawk fountain defender”.

Holland-on-Sea residents are fed up of being told their beaches and sea defences are not in a bad enough state to qualify for government funding.

Wait until the planes have completed their bombing mission to finish off the crumbling sections of sea wall and watch the money roll in.

If you’ve got any ideas about “targets” for the 2009 air show, please let us know - and no-one gets points for suggesting the council chamber.




Tendring Talk is an irreverent, controversial and unofficial look at local life. The views here do not represent those of the Gazette, or of Newsquest, its parent company.