Good midday to you all. I’m sure I speak for us all when I say the whole of Beckworth is apoplectic with rage over the announcement that this Government has turned-tail and given Heathrow Airport the go ahead for expansion. After saying it never would… Why was it not our airport? I hear you ask in unison. You may remember that earlier this year, or was it last, we were shocked to read an independently biased report (paid for by Heathrow Airport) into the future of London’s airports, which not-surprisingly gave Heathrow the nod. But once the dust had settled and many “sweeteners” had been paid to the “right” people we were given assurances that the town was now the number one choice to become the UK’s biggest airport. And we’d even promised to build a cafe, fake-tudor pub and duty-free shop inside a new terminal… On top of that we offered to lay on twice daily buses to the nearest train station, where passengers could catch delayed, full trains that go quite close to London. But it seems to no avail. We will of course appeal, or at least ask for our “bribes” back. The Beckworth guild have campaigned tirelessly to have an international airport sighted in the brown fields on the edge of the town and we, the “little people,” will not be passed over quietly. So please sign the petition “Beckworth Still Wants A Big Airport. Or At Least A Runway,” which will be on view in many of the town’s shops from today. Or allow yourself to be harassed by a chugger on the high street. Let’s fight together. Yours sincerely, Valerie Saddleworth CBE. Chairlady. The Beckworth Guild of Trade & Commerce

(Above) A local artist’s plans for the proposed Beckworth International Airport as submitted, along with bungs of money, to the Government’s commission