Viva Lewes Issue #151 April 2019

SHOES ON NOW: UP, UP AND AWAY
THE AIRPORT AT SHOREHAM
All of my boys have had a fascination with
planes: often when they were very young,
they’d gaze skywards and point whenever a
jumbo jet passed overhead, a look of sheer
delight on their faces. The younger two (ages 6
and 11) still retain that fascination and so they
were very excited to learn that this month’s
assignment involved us visiting Brighton City
Airport at Shoreham.
Founded in 1910, this is apparently the oldest
airport in the UK and, thanks in part to its Art
Deco appearance, has even featured in various
films and TV series such as Agatha Christie’s
Poirot. Nowadays the airport is used primarily
by privately-owned light aeroplanes and flying
schools. It even offers sightseeing and pleasure
trips for the more adventurous visitor. The
boys and I, however, stayed firmly on the
ground.
Located inside the main terminal building of
the airport lies the rather nice Hummingbird
Restaurant. The restaurant is open for
breakfast, lunch, dinners and coffee and cake
and you can sit at one of its tables and view
the airstrip. Apparently, it’s a popular venue for
locals who like to come and enjoy a meal whilst
taking in the view through the huge windows.
The boys, however, decided that they wanted
to sit at a table outside on the viewing deck
to be even closer to the airport in action.
The planes looked tiny compared to the
ones we are accustomed to at commercial
airports such as Gatwick. But we were up
close: both boys were fascinated to see these
small aeroplanes refuelling and running their
engines and even more excited, of course, to
watch them taking off.
Because the planes were so near, we could see
the expressions on the pilots’ faces, as they
patiently waited for their turn on the runway –
some even giving us a friendly wave. Both boys
watched in awe as pilots steered their planes
towards the runway and then rose into the air,
soaring high above as they headed off.
After twenty minutes or so we went inside to
the café where we ordered hot chocolate and
cake. From there, we could still see what was
going on outside. I imagine lots of people
come here just because it’s an unusual and
pleasant spot for breakfast or lunch – and the
Art Deco building is classic 1930s.
We didn’t stay that long at Shoreham Airport –
it’s the type of excursion that will kill a couple
of hours, and get you and the kids out of the
house; not really a day trip. But it is novel and
special to be able to see the planes refuel and
take off. I think toddlers might love it.
Jacky Adams