AN ABANDONED UK airport is set to reopen for its first event in over a decade in a “last hurrah” before its total overhaul.

The closed airport confirmed plans to host its first international airshow in over a decade next summer.

2

2

Advertisement

A two-day event will be held at Manston Airport as a “last hurrah” for the old runway before it is transformed into an international hub.

Thanet Airfield, which closed in 2014, was cleared to reopen after successfully overcoming a legal challenge earlier this year.

RiverOak Strategic Partners, the company that owns the airfield, announced plans to invest £800million into the site.

Bosses added that the injection of funds will help restore the airport as a commercially successful travel hub for passengers.

However, the extensive renovations needed to transform the site are not expected to begin until early 2026, with completion projected by early 2028.

Tony Freudmann, director at RiverOak, said the airshow, the first at the site since 2013, is a great opportunity for people to see the airport for the last time before it is transformed.

He told Kent Online: “The air show will be the last hurrah for the old airport as it is now, that is how we see it anyway.”

The details of the upcoming Manston International Airshow have yet to be revealed, but aviation enthusiasts will be excited to know that the Belgium-based Bronco Demo Team OV-10B will be featured in the lineup.

The skilled group of pilots are renowned for their performances with the North American OV-10 Bronco – a 1960s aircraft designed for counter-insurgency combat.

Mr Freudmann added: “This will be the first big air show at the airport since 2013.

“People should expect lots and lots of activities and aircraft flying in and out.”

In a post shared online, the external organisers of the show added: “We are thrilled to be able to start sharing with you what will be a spectacular event for Kent a show that we have been working on as a team since August.

“Our sincere thanks must be extended to RiverOak Strategic Partners and Visit Thanet for their support in us being able to launch such an incredibly high-profile show in the Garden of England.”

The Manston International Airshow will take place at Thanet Airfield on August 16 and 17.

It comes after a discontinued UK airport that once offered budget flights to Spain and Cyprus has revealed plans to re-open after a two-year closure.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport shut in 2022 after Wizz Air confirmed it would terminate the majority of its flights from the airport.

The airport, also known as the Robin Hood Airport, is located in Finningley near Doncaster and previously served millions of travellers heading to holiday destinations.

It opened to passengers in 2005 and was one of only two commercial international airports in Yorkshire.

The airport’s reopening is expected to delight nearby residents, who will be eager to once again use the popular travel hub.

Mayor Ros Jones stated that she intends to keep “councillors, residents, and businesses updated” as plans progress to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

She added: “The procurement of an operator is in its final stages of due diligence, we have regular meetings with investors, businesses and airlines.

“We have submitted a Statement of Need to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in relation to re-establishing our airspace, this will soon be publicly available via the CAA website, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of retaining our airspace, our MPs continue to engage with the Aviation Minister in relation to this.”

ROCHESTER is thought to have inspired Charles Dickens more than any other town in the UK.

Located in Kent, Dickens is said to have spent his childhood in the Medway town, with its buildings inspiring the Victorian author.

4

4

Advertisement

Outside of London, Rochester claims to be the UK town that inspired Charles Dickens the most.

One place in Rochester where the prolific author took inspiration was Restoration House.

The Elizabethan Townhouse inspired the home of Estella and Miss Havisham in Great Expectations.

Rochester was used as a filming location for the 1989 version of Great Expectations that starred Anthony Hopkins and Jean Simmons.

Nowadays, Restoration House is open to the public, with visitors able to explore the walled gardens and rare collections of poetry.

Other buildings that have been immortalised by the author include Travellers House and the Guildhall Museum.

The neighbouring Eastgate House, a Grade-I listed building, also featured in the works of Charles Dickens.

Dating back to the 16th century, the townhouse underwent a huge £2.2million renovation project in recent years.

Garden visitors can explore the author’s chalet, which was once located at his home at Gad’s Hill Place in Higham.

For fans of the author, December is arguably the best time to visit – and it’s not just because a version of the Christmas Carol will be playing on the telly.

Every year, Rochester plays host to the Dickensian Christmas Festival.

The Victorian festival celebrates the work of Charles Dickens, with street performers and costumed characters filling the streets.

This year’s festival will be held on December 7 and December 8, with a Mistletoe Costumed Ball taking place on December 6.

Away from Charles Dickens, Rochester is packed with even more history too.

The Medway town is also home to Rochester Castle – a Norman keep that boasts panoramic views of the River Medway.

There’s also Rochester Cathedral.

Dating back to 604 AD, Rochester Cathedral is thought to be the second oldest cathedral in the country.

Its high street is also lined with independent shops, cafes and traditional pubs.

Brits who want to follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens will want to head for a swift drink at The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel where the famous writer is thought to have stayed.

Rochester is a 90-minute drive from London and it’s a 45-minute drive to Ashford.

The other UK town that inspired Charles Dickens

BURY St Edmunds in Suffolk may appear to be a typical British town, but it has a fascinating history all of its own.

Included in that is its inclusion as a setting in Dickens’ novel Pickwick papers.

The town, and the Angel Hotel, both feature very prominently in the novel; the Victorian author is known to have stayed in the accommodation on several occasions.

Fittingly, the town was also chosen as the setting for the 2019 film The Personal History of David Copperfield, with the hotel appearing on the screen.

Advertisement

Actor Dev Patel and his co-stars, including Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie and Peter Capaldi were filmed throughout the town as they brought the story to a new audience.

The Angel is still up and running and is now a boutique 4 star hotel right in the centre of town, famed for its ivy-clad walls.

It’s not the only famous Bury St Edmunds establishment that Dickens used to frequent, with the Nutshell also said to be a favourite haunt of the writer.

Meanwhile, this is the smallest town in the UK – and it has a Michelin starred restaurant.

And this UK village has been compared to a 1940s film set.

4

4

It all began 21 years ago, when 18-year-old UK gap student Matt Crowcombe decided to donate his pocket money towards a South African child’s education. Over the years following, the small seed planted by this simple act of kindness has grown into a thriving charitable organisation transforming the lives of children across the Western Cape and beyond.

This week SOS Africa marked this milestone anniversary by hosting a birthday party to remember at its recently opened Gordon’s Bay Education Centre. Its VIP guests were staff and children from the charity’s 4 education centres from across the region. From the 6 matric students just weeks away from graduation to the Grade R students who started in January, all joined together to celebrate, united as members of the SOS Africa family.

“It was an emotional afternoon shared with many of the wonderful people who have each played an invaluable part in SOS Africa’s journey here in the Western Cape. Each SOS Africa child and staff member has their own remarkable story, they have fought against the odds to get to where they are today and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

I often reflect on the early days of SOS Africa when we walked the very first sponsored child to his first day at school. Back then I had no idea that, in that moment, a wonderful organisation had been born. I feel truly blessed to have a career which enables me to bear witness to both human kindness and determination each and every day.” Matt Crowcombe (Founder, SOS Africa)

Combining their favourite activities, the SOS kids feasted on an epic South African braai, played party games together, jumped for joy on the bouncy castle and cooled off in the swimming pool. Meanwhile the high school children finished off the afternoon relaxing at Gordon’s Bay’s iconic beach. It was a truly memorable occasion filled with broad smiles and the relentless sounds of joy and laughter from adults and children alike, but don’t just take our word for it…

“I enjoyed every minute; we were all siblings coming together and enjoying each other’s company and celebrating together.” Meyah (Grade 10, SOS Africa Gordon’s Bay)

“I had lots of fun! We ate nice food and made lots of friends with children from the other centres.” Relton (Grade 3, SOS Africa Elgin)

“I felt like I was rediscovering my childhood magic – I felt young, wild and free!” Kim (Grade 12, SOS Africa Gordon’s Bay)

“The highlight of my day was hanging out with all the other SOS kids; they were all so friendly! I really enjoyed swimming and the games we played. It was so much fun!” Chrisna (Grade 4, SOS Africa Grabouw)

With the future of the organisation bright, SOS Africa Founder Matt would like to give a final word of thanks to the charity’s many sponsors, donors and fundraisers across the world:

“One of the highlights of my job is communicating with our wonderful supporters who constantly go above and beyond to provide life-changing opportunities for the SOS kids. With each head-earned donation, they take a leap of faith in the hope of making a difference to the lives of children who they have often never met. Thank you for always believing in us – these smiles wouldn’t be possible without you!” Matt Crowcombe (Founder, SOS Africa)

Click here to Sponsor a child in South Africa.