Airport Campaign Tunes up for Next Round

Alistair Darling invited to ‘reflect’ at biggest fund-raiser concert
“Come and enjoy yourself and help save your towns and villages.” That’s the message going out to residents of Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk – the region threatened by airport expansion at Stansted – as arrangements are completed for the massive concert being staged in the grounds of Little Easton Manor, Dunmow, on Sunday 20 July.

Summer Breeze, a festival of classical music, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, will be Stop Stansted Expansion’s biggest ever event – expected to draw a sell-out crowd of 2,500. It will also be a vital fund-raiser to kick off the next phase of the campaign leading up to publication of the Government’s verdict on Stansted in the White Paper expected later this year.

SSE chairman Norman Mead has formally invited Transport Secretary Alistair Darling and his family to attend the concert. “This is a genuine invitation to Mr Darling to come and enjoy some great music in a unique rural setting, sense the community spirit and see what we are fighting to preserve,” said Mr Mead. “It would be an opportunity to reflect on the decisions ahead.”

SSE intends to keep up the pressure on the government and aviation industry during this next crucial period. “But we also need to let our hair down after a highly successful first campaign phase and recharge our batteries for what might become an even bigger battle ahead,” he added. “Our concert will do just that.”

The world-famous English Chamber Orchestra heads up a musical programme to suit all tastes. Local musician, Kenny Ball, together with his Jazzmen, will raise the tempo with a selection of numbers that made the group the UK’s most successful jazz band. The Upbeat Beatles, rated as the UK’s finest Beatles tribute band, provides the finale with unforgettable classics from the 60s and 70s.

Summer Breeze is billed as ‘a complete day out’ with an opportunity to picnic in a spectacular setting, enjoy live music and a host of other attractions including a hog roast and fun casino.

Kids for a fiver…

Demand for tickets, which are priced at £17.50, has been strong, especially from those with young families who have some of the deepest concerns about airport expansion, which they see as a real threat to the health and future way of life of their children. To accommodate families, children’s tickets are priced at just £5 (under two’s free).

Gates open at 12.30 pm and the concert starts at 2 pm. For tickets and more information contact SSE on 01279 870558 or the credit card hotline 01279 815464.

ENDS