I Do Like Air Shows,

I have been to more than a few, Biggin Hill, Eastbourne, North weald and have see some air displays at Grand Prix meetings, so I must say If I was living in Dartmouth, Devon I would be a bit upset that the world famous Red Arrows display team has been banned, yes you guessed it, due to health and safety, it appears after a fire there is a danger that some Tudor buildings might fall down, Mayor Richard Rendle said there were fears over vibrations from the aircraft which would fly just a few hundred feet above the town, He said: 'there were expressions of concern because at the moment the buildings are still moving and have not yet been stabilised',

residents today said they were 'gobsmacked' about the possible ban, Barry Whittel, a 60-year-old retired gardener, said: 'The Red Arrows have been coming here for 30 years and it has always been the highlight of the weekend', Deborah Green, 52, a grandmother, added: 'the fire was terrible but it was months ago, there's no way the Red Arrows could do any more damage, 'it's just health and safety nonsense, the buildings have been there since Tudor times and even a fire couldn't bring them down, let alone a few vibrations.'

the gutted block of historic buildings in Fairfax Place are only around 100 yards away from the edge of the River Dart where the displays take place, although there are a number of buildings in between, the event dates back to 1822, when the first event saw three sailing races, one six-oared gig race, and a military band played out at the Dartmouth Castle and 120 attended a ball, it became a Royal Regatta in 1856 when an unscheduled visit by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth because of bad weather in a flotilla of nine boats, the day before the scheduled Regatta, the Queen donated £25 for three rowing races to be competed for by the sailors of Dartmouth, and bestowed the title of 'Royal' on the Regatta',

I have to admit I would have thought more damage would have been caused by the vibrations of traffic rumbling by, or take the other view, as the mayor said, 'buildings are still moving', it might be if they are that unsafe that could fall down due to vibrations they should be pulled down any way, health and safety strike again!