The Aircraft Noise Forum

The Aircraft Noise Forum
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Date	Initials	Comments
18/08/08	LG	You moaners about noise are such idiots. If the "noise" of people enjoying themselves (ie music from festivals - people bringing trade to your community, aeroplanes, etc.) is too much for you, why not consider relocating to say New Zealand where there aren't so many people. The countryside does not belong solely to you. I concur with PC, because my own father fought for six years so that you could enjoy living in England's green and pleasant land. You don't own it just because you've bought a big house on your retirement. And yes, it will just serve you right if, as I write, central government have their eye on this "space" to house many of the newcomers to our Country who need asylum centres, houses, schools, hospitals, etc. etc. They can't all stay in London, we know that, so don't be surprised when they come to a field near you. Also, Devon is having a rubbish burning power station. How do you fancy one? They have to build them somewhere.
26/04/06	PC	I have been working on a job near Brize Norton as a heating engineer and have enjoyed both watching and listening to the military aircraft take off, circle and land these guys need to practice to keep their skills and the various troop and equipment movement. You live in an area of outstanding beauty, why? because men of the first and second world wars defended this country so you can have the privilege of living where you do. I feel a great sense of pride watching these planes and would gladly swap my quiet house for one of yours. remember the battle of Britain.
11/04/06	VQ	I must say - this forum is rather pathetic and tedious to read. It strikes me that several people in South Cerney have 'Victor Meldrew' syndrome. Could it be that you have too much time on your hands and need something to moan about? You should be grateful that you have the Army as your neighbours. I find an immense amount of comfort and security knowing my neighbouring Barracks shadow me. I'd certainly rather keep them with their aircraft, weekend gliders and parachutists then say - a housing estate! Forgive me, but I thought there was a great British tradition of being neighbourly. Unfortunately, the few minority in this forum don't give that sense to the village of South Cerney. Ironically we were the only household in our area to support new weekend activity on this site and since then we've been invited to several open days, flight and barbeques as a result. It pays to be welcoming! When the new season starts consider this - our barracks were braining storming ideas for what to do on their site at the weekends. So far drive-in-movies and funfairs have come in to play! Consider yourselves lucky. Anyway, my real reason for being on this site. I have recently moved to the area and started work in an Estate Agents. Not knowing the area I began internet searches for the surrounding villages. I'm extremely disappointed with the sense of community in your area and I find it difficult to promote the place to any house hunts - plane fanatics or not.
12/11/05	SS	Blimey ..still whingeing about a few little props.. you want to be under the Luton flight path, and they are building another runway to give us 20% more noise to boot, the 'against another runway' group say that last year we had over 50,000 flights over our patch...my own family, well...we are lucky that it doesn't bother us one iota really.. We've lived with the sound of aircraft all our lives, obviously not everyone is like us ..hence the 'anti new runway group' albeit Luton airport has been busy for years.. but it sort of puts things in perspective.
09/11/05	LA	Maybe you have tinnitus. Planes fly, they buzz, they zoom, they roar. They have done since the concept of air flight was introduced into the modern world. Why not move to somewhere like Cumbria or Northumberland, there's no need for RAF sites there, and so hopefully you shall find peace and quiet. The planes from Brize will be back there soon, and I have to say, I shall rather miss them, spotting the planes that my mum said she flew in when her father was in the RAF, and indeed, when my father was alive, flying off to do important work. I know that civilians jumping out of planes isn't particularly important, but if, like a lot of them are, they are doing charity jumps, all the better. Having had my father pass away just over a month ago from cancer, I can safely say that I would encourage any means possible to raise money for development into cancer research and funding for treatment.
03/11/05	GW	The main issue is with the "buzzing" of the plane that ruins the peaceful atmosphere of the Cotswolds. I am hoping that the military planes will soon be back at Brize Norton (equally ruining the peace) but my issue is with the annoying buzzing plane heard not just in South Cerney.
02/11/05	Maurice McKee Parish Council Clerk	The Parish Council has discussed the aircraft noise generated by the activities at Duke of Gloucester Barracks on numerous occasions. The Chairman attended the recent meeting of the liaison group and made an agreed statement on behalf of the Parish Council which will be available when the Minutes of the October meeting have been agreed. At the forthcoming November Parish Council meeting the Chairman will give a report on the liaison meeting he attended which again will be available in December after those Minutes have been agreed. I don’t think that the Parish Council should become involved in the Forum discussion per se. It (the PC) uses its meetings for such activities and the public are invited to attend and can contribute with the permission of the Chairman. It is a delicate matter whether to suppress genuine criticism, on the web site, of its (the PC) decisions without defending its position but on the other hand it is the elected representatives who take decisions and the place to object is either at the ballot box or ask the Chairman’s permission to make a statement at one of the PC meetings.
29/10/05		Perhaps GW could clarify the question raised on 27th as it seems to ask from where the military planes are taking off and that the question is separate to the observation regarding the smaller aircraft used for parachuting.
28/10/05		GW does not refer to noise from " heavy transport planes"; he/she specifically asks about the "annoying buzzing" of "THE PARACHUTE PLANE THAT CONSTANTLY CIRCLES THE AREA"
28/10/05		The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the parachuting is not undertaken solely by the military or indeed solely by members of 29th Regiment. Anyone can parachute from the airfield by simply booking and paying. Civilians parachute from the airfield all the time - this is not "military" in any sense.
28/10/05	M.S.	Yes, your Parish Council did write to MOD to support the on going flying at South Cerney and to recommend that the Liaison Group was considered to be unnecessary. However, I, as Chairman, represented this parish at that meeting where I presented a prepared statement on behalf of the Parish Council. That statement had been discussed and unanimously agreed by Council at the October meeting. A full copy of the document will be available after the November meeting and will be included on the website. South Cerney Parish Council fully supports the activities carried on by the Royal Logistic Corps including the parachuting by the Silver Stars which are wholly and solely part of 29 Regt RLC. Anyone requiring details of what was discussed at the Liaison Meeting will be able to see a copy of the minutes in due course. In the meantime, Mr Ray Brassington of the Cotswold District Council will be able to discuss all questions relating to this situation
27/10/05		The noisy, heavy military aircraft referred to by GW are most probably RAF Transport planes, VC10s, Tri-Star's etc currently flying from RAF Fairford as the runways at RAF Brize Norton are being resurfaced. Contrary to the statement made in the previous letter, parachutists of the Silver Stars do not use heavy transport planes
26/10/05		Visitors to this site may be interested to know that the South Cerney Parish Council has recently sent a letter to the army supporting the parachuting activities carried out from the airfield. If this does not reflect your views, you should contact the parish council at the address on this web site. The Council also criticised the establishment of a liaison group between the local community and the army aimed at trying to reach constructive solutions to the problems of noise caused by commercial parachuting . The answer to GW is that the noise is caused by recreational and commercial parachuting groups which operate from the airfield in South Cerney.
28/09/05		Have people considered the alternatives if the airfields were closed?? Wouldn't it be great if they were all turned into refugee centres?
27/09/05	GW	I have discovered that no matter where one lives in this part of the Cotswolds one cannot get away from the annoying "buzzing" of the parachute plane that constantly circles the area - where are the loud military aircraft coming from - Fairford or Brize Norton?? Does anyone know??
22/09/05	LA	HS, I feel you are blowing things out of proportion. I am certainly not a towny and have lived in cities/towns for all of 4 years. It seems you're luck isn't getting much better now that Brize Norton air traffic is now 'disrupting the beautiful serenity of a place that used to be a very useful RAF site.' I do think you need to get your priorities right- a tiny prop plane bears no resemblance to other major issues involved in real life. Get over yourself or move away if you don't like it. I don't like the sound a bird makes. Makes me cry, I shall complain to the Times. GIVE IT UP.
27/07/05		All those who like me are really distressed by the volume and duration of noise should contact Ray Brassington at the Cotswold District Council and Geoffrey Clifton Brown at the Houses of Parliament. The debate is between the private company running a business at the airfield and the people who are suffering as a result.
11/06/05	HS	No ! It might be insignificant to L A, especially as I see, you lived in Swindon and Bristol. That doesn't mean you are a Towny, but it might. So perhaps the noise issue is unlikely to worry you. Good for you. I see that quite a lot of people who, shall we say, are transitory residents here are pro parachuting and can't see the problem and don't care. The plane taking off doesn't bother me either (although my commiseration's for those who live in South Cerney and have to put up with the noise). It's what it does after it has taken off that bothers me. And as for TS; don't presume that most of us fly. What S Cerney has, is certainly not a gnat's whisper. It is a persistent loud annoyance which is disruptive to residents over a wide area. It's the duration of the noise that annoys. Wouldn't it be nice if some of the comments from the 'parachute supporters club' were a little sympathetic to what is a real and distressing problem for people like me.
19/05/05	LA	I haven't lived in South Cerney for a long time at all, roughly a year, and I have seen no reason to complain about a couple of planes going up every now and again. It's an airfield. Like any other. But the only difference is, that it's still being used even though the R.A.F. left it- at least it's not a waste land, with no use. If there are people learning to parachute, surely that would bring revenue to the area? If people do an activity such as that they would need somewhere to stay. I really don't know what the fuss is about. I live practically right under the flight path, and I'm not bothered. It really is a petty argument- just think this could be Swindon or Bristol (places where I have lived in the past) we could be dealing with shootings and gang warfare. An aeroplane is pretty insignificant, no?
24/04/05	TS	The objectors are the ones I can't fathom. Most people, including objectors, fly somewhere for whatever reason and I just wonder if they, as passengers, ever sympathise as they pass over the buildings below about the real noise they are making, every day. All day + some night flying, I doubt it. What Cerney has is a gnat's whisper against busy airports & forces airfields!
16/04/05	HS	I see the 'essential parachute training' season is upon us again. It's interesting to read the comments of those supporting this anti social activity. Why do they do that I wonder ? They seem very eager to maintain this noisy pursuit. Okay, why not introduce drag racing at night when the airfield's not in use. Or endurance power boat racing on the lakes. Since there has been so much noise since the 30's I am sure all you right thinking people would support this little money spinner. They just don't get it. If it didn't have such a detrimental affect on the environment and quality of life for so many, many, people in the Cotswolds, not just in South Cerney, we would care less about parachuting. Let me suggest a worthwhile compromise; take the engine out of the aircraft and I will stop complaining. If I allowed a private company to start a parachuting school on my land I would have to obtain planning permission. If I got it, it wouldn't hurt to bung a few quid at charities, invite the mayor for a jump and even ask the army to join in so I could say that it was essential training. Of course permission would not be granted. I wonder why ?
07/03/05	LR	I was born in the village of South Cerney and still live there, and very often sit in the garden of my home with my grandson and watch the parachutes. I don't understand why, if you don't like it you stay here. This is part of village life and always will be.
19/02/05	Steve	Ah.. so noise only matters where you live! NIMBYard syndrome really, the relevance of Abingdon is that it was real noise from real 'meaty' aircraft.. not dinky toys!, joking apart. I can tell you that many of the outlying villages near H/Hempstead see it the same way as you, a survey showed that most of them had actually been on the planes themselves, ironic.. but they have to fly over someone!
10/02/05		Who actually said anything about the People of Hemel Hempstead all moving??!! All I said was that I couldn't see the relevance of Mr Stockford commenting on how noise affects a place that he doesn't even live in. How exactly does RAF Abingdon come into it??? Surely only selfish people would put their own enjoyment above other peoples'? I have never said that I wanted to stop all jumping - I merely felt that there was room for compromise.
19/12/04	Steve	You wouldn't see the relevance because your biased against the jumpers. My experiences have involved real noise in the country and in the town. I'm the first to admit I was reared with the planes in RAF Abingdon's heyday so the noise you talk of is to nothing to me, but lets face it, its hardly ear shattering stuff in South Cerney! The people of Hemel Hempstead can't all move away if they don't like it! They haven't any choice! Surely only a selfish person would complain just to stop people enjoying themselves! I'm supporting those who want to jump. If you can't see the relevance of my experiences then ..too bad!
13/12/04	JD	Why exactly is Mr Stockford commenting? Living in Hemel Hempstead is hardly the same as being a resident of South Cerney and quite frankly I fail to see the relevance of his experiences. So, he doesn't mind aircraft noise, good for him!!
23/11/04	Steve Stockford	In my recent comment 23/10/04 I forgot to mention I now live in Hemel Hempstead, and we get the low flying traffic from Luton, from elsewhere we regularly get a plane which passes over late at night with piercing high pitched engines. Last week we had a Chinook which landed 1 mile away. We've even had Concorde flying over and doing a sharp noisy climb. I haven't heard anyone mention any noise for years!! Come to think of it some of the South Cerney complainers may have flown over me. Good job it doesn't bother me eh!!
22/11/04		I suggest those who seek who shut down the 'non-military activity' should just go and try a skydive themselves. THEN see if they still hold the same opinion!
23/10/04	Steve Stockford	I was brought up amidst the noise of aircraft engines (mostly 4 engined from RAF Abingdon). It would be music to my ears now, after all, they were and still are the sounds of freedom. No one should be allowed to forget that.. and freedom means being able to parachute.. Lets face it the aircraft they use just aint that noisy'. Stop whinging!... Steve
26/08/04		For the information of KHB, I am NOT a newcomer and I find the noise to be a nuisance. The airfield has certainly been in continuous use, despite the fact that it ceased to be an RAF station and was taken over by the army quite some years ago, however it is only relatively recently that the noise levels have reached nuisance level. Also, for the information of KHB - these people are not merely raising money for charity - that can be done quietly by submitting a direct debit.
02/08/04	KHB	South Cerney airfield has been in continuous use since the 1930's so, if anybody moved here after that time surely they should have realised that there would be aircraft in the area! Why all the fuss - or don't the newcomers like to see people enjoying themselves and, in the process, raising thousands of pounds for charity?
08/07/04	The Marquis de derval et de Moisdon	FOR THE INFORMATION OF LS ON MAY 8 2004 AND OTHER VISITORS TO THIS FORUM. WHILST LS IS TELLING OTHERS TO "CHECK THE FACTS", HE SHOULD ALSO DO EXACTLY THAT AND WOULD DISCOVER THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN THE 'PATRON' OF CIRENCESTER ACCESS GROUP.
08/07/04	JP	Yes, they are back with a vengeance. 11 days of continuous daily flying during the last 14 days. Both the Silver Stars and the RAF 'box van' have reneged on their announcements NOT to fly over South Cerney or other local settlements by flying around and across the village. The silver stars aircraft has been so low flying along Station Road that its registration number could be read with the naked eye. The 'droning' is back, no longer is the new aircraft quite when flying around and across the village for up to 20 minuets at a time. Why have the pilot[s] stopped flying away from the village to gain height? the aircraft has more than enough power to carry out this flight plan. It amazes me that so much rubbish can be written by others on this forum about the problems of aircraft noise pollution. One can hardly believe that LWW,KHB,LS & others actually reside in S. Cerney. The Parish Council also appears to be completely out of touch with reality--nothing new there, for those sceptics among you, when the Silver Stars are flying, go out into your garden following the take off and watch the aircraft flight pattern--this will prove who is right and who is wrong and justifiable complains. Many residents of us in the Watermark complexes are fed up with weekend after weekend being spoilt by aircraft noise. The idiot who says move away if you do not like it just about sums up the average commentator on this Forum, those with an ounce of common sense write with correctness. We fully support the public petition which we all signed
05/07/04	LWW	I moved to South Cerney 10 months ago; during the first month or so, yes you could hear the planes, but now they are so quiet. It gives the local people, and people from all over the country to enjoy skydiving. One of the very few things available to South Cerney unless you like water sports! The noise? What noise? We are directly along a flight path of the planes; I don't even notice they are there unless I'm looking for them. You just can't hear them. They support our village and the neighbouring places. + I'm going skydiving soon! Something for the villagers to do. If you don't like the unhearable noise then welcome to leave. It's so hard to get houses within South Cerney; so count yourselves lucky. There are many places worse then this to live in. This is such a nice peaceful village.
23/06/04	KHB	As a South Cerney resident I now notice how quiet the new aircraft is and have watched it climb out from the airfield in all directions. Naturally, in order to let the parachutists land back at South Cerney it will head back this way - and then land. It has yet to be seen circling over one particular area "all day" - the pilot is well briefed to avoid creating a noise pollution problem following the recent comments. Well done to the Silver Stars for all the enjoyment that they give to people - not to mention the enormous amount of money that they raise for charity.
11/05/04	HS	I did check my facts....with a little man in Brize Norton air traffic control and I beg to differ but anywhere within striking distance of S Cerney is subject to this constant barrage of noise. Maybe South Cerney residents are lucky because the plane leaves the immediate area when it takes off, I don't know. I do know however that it flies north, south, east and west of us and directly above. I call that circling ! I agree on one point LS makes ~ The saga of aircraft noise is very tedious. Interesting concept though; the new plane is faster so the noise is less. No, I thought about that one and I still don't get it. Popping out to get a life Just time to say thanks for your balanced, unbiased opinion.
08/05/04	LS	Follow HS's comments on 29 April perhaps he or she should check the facts. If so they would find that the regular flight pattern of the parachute plane from South Cerney does not include the Coln Valley, and come to that, they certainly don't 'circle all day' over South Cerney. Yes they take off and land but the new plane attains height at a far greater speed so the noise is less. The saga of aircraft noise has become tedious (witness no letters on the subject are printed in the Standard now) and are perpetuated by boring people who need to get a life. Even the Mayor of Cirencester, Councillor Nash, had a go at tandem jumping, raising in excess of £1,000 for Cirencester Access for the Disabled, a very worthwhile cause, which, incidentally has, as its 'Patron', none other than the Marquis de Derval et de Moisdon, one of the main protagonists against the Silver Stars Parachute Display Team. The Access Group also accepted a cheque of £300 from Karl Williams, who owns the said aeroplane! Interesting or what!
29/04/04	HS	I didn't choose to live next to an airfield. I live on the top of the Coln Valley. I chose to live and work in an area of rural peace and tranquillity. Aircraft noise emanating from South Cerney parachute planes is now so bad I can no longer enjoy weekends here and ironically pray for bad weather to restrict flights ! Yes, parachute planes come here and circle all day ! I find it extraordinary to read that people are defending this anti social activity. What possible interest could residents of S Cerney have in perpetuating this activity ?
12/03/04	KHB	The new aircraft is hardly audible - even when on the golf course next door!
28/02/04	GH of Kemble	What an excellent letter the Marquis wrote in the Standard on the 26th February 2004, the contents were obviously researched to such a degree that at long last something will be done about the aircraft noise generally in the South Cotswolds
23/02/04		Thanks to The Silver Stars for going to the unnecessary enormous expense of purchasing a new quieter aircraft to satisfy a VERY FEW wingers!
27/10/03	KHB	Thank you to Mike Stuart, Chairman of the Parish Council, for his letter putting forward the Council's view. It has always appeared to me that there are only two or three individuals who are making all the fuss so I was not surprised to hear that Alan de Derval and his opinion were outweighed at the Meeting. These few people seem determined to cause disharmony in this friendly, lively village of ours.
24/10/03	Mike Stuart Chairman S.Cerney Parish Council	Because of the increasingly vehement nature of the letters to the press and on the web site Forum regarding the aircraft noise at South Cerney airfield, I am obliged to comment on the situation. It has been implied that the Parish Council and myself as Chairman have been biased and unfair in our deliberations regarding the complaints from objectors to the noise from the aeroplanes used to transport the parachutists. These implications I totally refute At Parish Council meetings I have always endeavoured to take an even-handed approach when chairing the debates regarding aircraft noise. Moreover, I have made efforts to bring together the two parties concerned and to build bridges. Not only did I welcome Alan de Derval to speak at the annual Parish Meeting but I arranged for representatives from the Army also to be present. The resulting meeting was, I thought, very useful and I was delighted to receive a letter from Alan stating that he was grateful for my efforts. Furthermore, later in the year I personally wrote to HQ LAND asking formally that all aeroplanes dropping parachutists at South Cerney airfield should be obliged to keep to those rules which now set the time and flight pattern restraints placed on the Silver Stars. All these facts can be confirmed by the minutes of the Council. What will not be obvious from those minutes was the excessive time that these debates took, nor will they show the amount of feeling that was generated. In particular, at the Annual Meeting, I found it very difficult to prevent Alan being interrupted by those present, all of which, it appeared, were diametrically opposed to his views. South Cerney Parish Council members truly believe that the aircraft noise protesters are a minority of the village population. This belief is based on our own individual experiences and also the Village Appraisal. We do refer to that excellent document whenever the need arises. We the Council, interpret the Appraisal figures regarding the noise from parachuting completely contrary to the way in which the objectors obviously do. We take the percentage of 18% (220 out of 1,243) as being a small minority. Furthermore, it is obvious that the objectors have misunderstood or misinterpreted another question in the Appraisal, the one relating specifically to noise generated by Military aircraft. Those of us who live here all the week are fully aware that the majority of aircraft over-flying the village are military aircraft not based at South Cerney and not the little ones seen and heard at weekends. Also, when the data for the Appraisal was collected in 1997, we had been subjected to several years of really frightful noise from USAF KC 135 tankers flying out of RAF Fairford. That was, I believe, the reason for the inclusion of the second question. For the objectors to now add the two sections together to claim that over 500 people were opposed to the parachuting is absolutely inadmissible. We were here in 1997, not all the present objectors were. The current petition being organised by nameless individuals, confirms our reading of the amount of support for the campaign to stop parachuting. The sheets on display at the Post Office have less than forty names and some of those are from people who do not reside in South Cerney. Granted the door-to-door canvassing will result in more signatures, but had there been really strong opposition to the current level of aircraft noise then surely there would have been very many more signatures on the first attempt to raise support for the campaign? There have been other debates in our community where the minority view has been expressed the loudest. In such cases the Parish Council feels a responsibility to ensure that the views of the quieter majority are given due weight. The objectors’ contribution to the debate will continue to be given a full hearing. I hope that everyone will understand that the Parish Council feels it should continue to ensure that the apparent majority view also be properly reflected.
17/10/03		Living at the end of the village near to the air field I sometimes find the noise to be annoying and invasive. I do however recognise the rights of others to enjoy these activities, could a compromise be reached whereby these activities are restricted to Mon thru Sat, leaving Sunday as a day of peace.
16/10/03	MS	When you live in the country you're bound to smell cows If you live up in Gloucester you'll sometimes hear rows If you live by a garage you'll surely smell oil When you're by the allotment you'll smell Alan's soil If you live near the Youth Club you'll get noisy kids Doing things on their bikes like jumping and skids If you live near the pools you will see funny houses Where the men go to work and the girls wear the trousers When you're missed by the postman its just when it rains If you live on a floodplain you'll sometimes smell drains On Thursday nights when they practice the bells No one complains (like they do for the smells!) Those who live by a pub on a Saturday night They'll sometimes hear laughing and singing, all right If you don't like the Cornish then don't use their tin Those who don't like the townies should not drink their gin It's a very long time since the airfields been there If you hate parachuting, don't moan, live elsewhere.
10/10/03	CM	What a lovely cotswold village we live in. what noise? Is it just one end of the village that hears it ? I haven't noticed it. We all moved to South Cerney and knew what was around. We need visitors to support the pubs and resturants other wise it will be a dead place like Down Ampney, and other places that have lost shops and pubs.
10/10/03	DK	They rattle my greenhouse. They scare our pets. Will they stop flying? I'm not taking bets! But one thing rings true, with those planning dept pr***s I'd rather hear aircraft than be looking at bricks. Use it or lose it, we've learnt to our cost. Put up with a few planes, or the lot will be lost
10/10/03	IR	If it is a commercial venture does that mean someone is making a profit? If so what charges are made for use of MOD land and the amenities thereon?
09/10/03		The church bells example is a good one. If one lives next door to a church one would expect the bells to be rung on a Sunday, perhaps for a practise during the week, and on other odd occasions such as weddings. You wouldn't expect the church to be used by a private profit making company which rang the church bells all day every day for money. Such a change would quite reasonably be objected to. That is the situation here. If some people don't hear or mind the noise then lucky them. They don't need to get involved - it makes no difference either way.For those that do hear it the noise causes severe distress and misery. It seems bizarre to actually want people to suffer for something that doesn't bother you.
09/10/03		Actually the vast majority of sky divers are not local - its a business which has customers from all over. Take a look at www.skydivesouthwest.co.uk - you can see what is going on quite clearly. To reiterate, its not the proper operational military activity thats the problem - its this commercial and sport skydiving thats the issue.
07/10/03	Ian Roberts	When we moved to the villge twenty years ago the local airfied was used for military parachuting during the week and by gliders at the week end.These gliders were training craft used by the Air Training corps. The practice of parachuting grannies for charity seems to have taken their place. For my part the military aspect is a just cause and the noise asociated with the continuance of their training is a small price that we have to pay for our freedom. I do appreciate the need to satisfy the needs of the "activity sports people" and to this end could we not compromise by only flying on Saturday and leaving Sunday free to allow the majority to enjoy the peace of the country side. Could I also ask for a list of all the week-end parachutists along with their connection to the military and also where they come from. I also wonder how many live in the area.
06/10/03	KHB	RAF (as was) South Cerney was built and has been in constant use since the 1930's. Surely the time to object to aircraft noise was then and not now. If you have moved into the area since then you are a bit too late to complain?
02/10/03	KHB	This is written in support of the air activity from the airfield. It is fun to watch other people doing what I don't have the nerve to do! Some very brave people, in my opinion, raise an awful lot of money for deserving charitable causes - which can't be bad. It is depressing to see a few people make such a fuss about the noise. Now I see that we have to put up with their brightly coloured posters blighting the village!
27/09/03	NF	The noise does not bother me in the slightest - I hadn't noticed it until I started to read the debate! People today have more "lively" hobbies and therefore should be allowed to be catered for without being moaned at by people who are not interested in the same recreational ideas.Each to his own - it's not as if it's every day
27/09/03	DH	Having read the comments of fellow villages concerning the subject of aircraft noise pollution it would appear that the majority of those who have bothered to comment adversly on the matter are not in possession of any factual and accurate data concerning this matter. As a supporter of those who have been objecting to aircraft noise pollution it should be remember that in the 1999 Village Appraisal, some 590 residents objected to among other issues parachuting and aircraft noise. There is a considerable difference to the limited military flying activity and the normal 16 hours of aircraft noise pollution experienced 3 weekends out of 4 over South Cerney and other settlements. Comments made by a certain individual concerning residency in South Cerney is typical foot in mouth comments expected from him.
26/09/03		As a recent incomer, I have an open mind, but also two observations: 1. I suspect that the noise is far more noticeable in some types of house than others, hence the variation in opinions. This feeling comes from having stayed in two different house styles in the village. If as I suspect the problems are at night, then this would explain why those in chalet style houses would be more likely to experience it. 2. It is obvious that this noise/vibration (yes, I have experienced it) does seriously affect a number of people, and that their opinions should be taken equally seriously. This is obviously not a trivial matter for them.
25/09/03		I haven't spoken to anyone yet who is worried about this noise. It seems like we have a vociferous minority
25/09.03		Just to let the Council know that there are many people in the village who actually enjoy watching the parachuting. I do not notice the noise of the aircraft at all - even when I am playing on the golf course next door!
23/09/03		I find it quite distressing that the comments in the Forum page are becoming quite vitriolic and personal towards 29 Regiment RLC. The Regiment is, after all, part of this community. The current Commanding Officer has gone as far as he can in listening to the demands of the few by restricting flying to 3 weekends in every 4 and setting strict flying times for the Silver Stars (flight paths are dictated by the prevailing wind and flight control at RAF Fairford and Brize Norton). The other aircraft flying out of South Cerney (which, as has been stated on numerous occasions, is an active military airfield) belong to the RAF and do not come under the Commanding Officer's jurisdiction. I personally would like to apologise to the Regiment for the unfortunate wording of some letters and points for the Forum page (ie 'bullying') from a minority of villagers.
19/09/03		Complaints about the noise from this anti social activity have been recieved by the district council and the MoD from Preston, Cirencester,Ampney St Mary, Coates , and Siddington. Is it suggested that all of these people should simply pack up and go? I agree that if one lives near a military airfeild one should expect military noise - and no one objects to noise of that type, This noise in entirely differenet in quality and duration. I dont think that the people of this area should submit to this bullying attitude.
03/09/03	Mr NJO Rees, CS (Policy Secretariat) 1a Headquarters Land Command Erskine Barracks Wilton Salisbury Wilts SP2 0AG	Councillor Stuart South Cerney Parish Council Dear Councillor Stuart 1. Thank you for your letter of 12 August, addressed to Major Jones of 29 Regiment RLC, about aircraft noise. I have been asked to reply. My apologies for the slight delay in responding to your letter. 2. I am sorry to hear that the inhabitants of South Cerney are being disturbed by aircraft noise. As you know, South Cerney is an authorised military airfield and as such is utilised by a variety of military aircraft. As Major Bruce explained at the Annual Parish meeting, an RAF Skyvan also makes use of the airfield at South Cemey, and this additional activity may have prompted some of the complaints you have received. 3. As you have suggested, Major Jones has now written to the appropriate RAF Headquarters that controls the movements of the Skyvan. He has requested that wherever possible the Skyvan is restricted to operating within the weekend flying restrictions accepted by the Silver Stars. Unfortunately, the Skyvan is sometimes used to train Territorial Army personnel and the weekend is often the only time when they are available. As a result it will not always be possible for them to abide by the strict regime put in place by the Regiment. Having examined the flight records of the Skyvan, I have learnt that they have only flown on four weekends this year and, conscious of the effect that such flights can have locally, they are making every effort to keep their weekend flying to an absolute minimum. 4. I can assure you that we take the concerns of your parishioners very seriously and are very keen on reaching an acceptable compromise, by which the Silver Stars and others can continue to fulfil their long standing training requirements, without unduly inconveniencing the local populace. 5. I hope this is helpful. Yours sincerely N J O Rees
17/07/03	Silver Stars	Due to unforeseen circumstances the airfield will not be available for use by the Silver Stars over the weekend 16/17 August, as noted in the Parish magazine. Permission has therefore been granted for the Silver Stars to fly the following Saturday and Sunday, 23/24 August
12/07/03	Chairman S.Cerney P.Council Rose Cottage S.Cerney	Major W I M Jones MBE RLC, Acting Commanding Officer 29 Regiment RLC, Duke of Gloucester Barracks South Cerney, CIRENCESTER, Gloucestershire. GL7 5RD Dear Major Jones AIRCRAFT NOISE South Cerney Parish Council has recently received complaints from inhabitants of our village regarding aircraft noise at South Cerney. At our recent Annual Parish Meeting we were informed by Major Ian Bruce that the Silver Stars now follow restricted flight timings and flight patterns. However the Parish Council understands that 29 Regiment RLC has no control over the flight timings and flight patterns of other aircraft who use South Cerney airfield, including the RAF who, we believe, use a Sky Van. Although those who attended the Annual Parish Meeting were made aware of this situation this has obviously not filtered through to other members of the Parish. The Parish Council would appreciate it if 29 Regiment RLC could pass the concerns of some of our parishioners up through the chain of command. They would also appreciate it if a request could be made to the other users of South Cerney airfield to comply with the flight restrictions accepted by the Silver Stars. The Parish Council would greatly appreciate your help in this matter. Yours sincerely, Michael Stuart. Chairman, South Cerney Parish Council
07/07/03		I fail to see the difference between military and civilian flying. An airfield is an airfield where there will always be flying of some sort or another. If you don't like the sound of bells, you don't buy a house next door to a Church. If you don't like the sound of merriment you don't buy a house next door to a pub. If you don't like the sound of aircraft, then don't buy a house within a mile or so of an airfield. If you do, then you can have no cause to complain. Try living close to Heathrow or Gatwick for a while then you will find South Cerney is nothing to worry about.
03/07/03		The addition of a civilian operator at South Cerney is the main cause of the noise. They aquired a larger plane to replace the pink one (takes twice as many people hence half the take offs and landings) and then allowed a civilian to bring his two bladed prop small aircraft to the airfield. He has no military connection and operates as a civilian business as he was today on a Thursday.
13/06/03		There is no objection to military activity from the airfield. The objection is to the commercial and recreational activity at the weekend, which incidentally started only several years ago. There is no objection to jets, helicopters, hercules, and other bona fide military aircraft.
21/05/03		If you choose to live one mile from an airfield you have to be prepared to live with aircraft noise. The current noise from flying is absolutely nothing compared to what we had to put up with some fifty years ago with jets and helicopters regularly flying and training here.
03/02/03		There has been an indication that parachuting will take place from the South Cerney airfield on three out of four weekends. The parachuting activity is not part of any formal military training - it is a recreational sport for servicemen in their free time and civilians who pay a fee. There is a great deal of noise which lasts throughout the weekend, especially for households in the flight path. Villagers who suffer from this noise should contact our local MP and the parish council.