Press Release: July 14  2011

Fred Cuming R.A speaks out against the development of Lydd Airport in Kent

Fred Cuming one of Britain’s most loved landscape painters has spoken out against the large scale development of Lydd Airport. A member of the Royal Academy whose distinguished career spans over sixty years, Fred Cuming has used Romney Marsh as the backdrop for much of his work. His paintings are currently on display at the South East Summer Exhibition which was opened on Friday as part of the Folkestone Triennial.

“I am strongly opposed to the development of Lydd airport. As far as I can see there is absolutely no need for it. Kent already has one under used airport at Manston in Thanet, why do we need another one? Romney Marsh is an area of unique beauty and tranquillity. What is the sense in jeopardizing that for some speculative, wild money making scheme? The development must be stopped.”

His work is on display in many collections including The Royal Academy London, National Museum of Wales and St Johns College Oxford. It can be seen in Kent at the New Metropole Arts centre Folkestone, and the Maidstone Museum.

Fred Cuming’s love of Romney Marsh is portrayed in videos which can be seen on LAAG’s website: www.lyddairportaction.co.uk.

The South East Summer Exhibition is being held at The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone from July 8^th to August 4^th, 2011.

ENDS.

 Peter Morris/ Lydd Airport Action Group/ 07766 680 990/ petersayno@aol.com

* See notes to editors

Notes to editors:

• Lydd Airport (which is owned by Sheikh Fahad al-Athel, a Saudi businessman) received planning permission from Shepway District Council on March 3, 2010 (a) to extend the runway at Lydd by 444metres to accommodate passenger jets (b) to build a new terminal to accommodate up to 500,000 passengers per annum (p.p.a.). In 2010 Lydd Airport carried less than 500 passenger.
• Following over 14,000 letters in protest, the Secretary of State called in the decision for review by a Public Inquiry which started in Folkestone on February 15th, 2011, and is scheduled to be completed in September 2011.
• Lydd airport is located on an ecologically sensitive site near Dungeness on Romney Marsh, Kent. It is located less than 3 miles from the Dungeness nuclear complex and lies between two active MOD gunnery ranges at Hythe and Lydd
• English Nature, RSPB, CPRE Kent & Kent Wildlife Trust, are all opposed to the development, and are presenting evidence at the inquiry.
• LAAG is an action group formed in 2004 to oppose the large scale development of Lydd airport. LAAG has ~3000 active members.