Monuments will honour airfield contribution
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KEY roles played by two former Ross-shire airfields are being remembered through the unveiling of new memorials.
The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT) marked the contributions of Tain and Fearn airfields at separate ceremonies today (Saturday).
Kenneth Bannerman, who founded the charity in 2006, believes it is important that the role airfields have played in Britain’s history is commemorated.
"Airfields, whether they are still operational or not, have had a huge impact on society as a whole," he said.
"We feel it is crucial to celebrate the contribution these places have made to all of our lives.
"We all rely on them and we could not all survive without them.
"The difference they have made to our communities has been immeasurable.
"You can’t walk down the street without seeing some kind of connection to an airfield.
"Marking their contribution in this way gives the communities a chance to come out and celebrate the history of these places.
"We hope the people who live in these communities come out and enjoy the occasion and celebrate the contribution the airfields have made to the area.
"We will have some people who served at the airfields in the 1950s, and to be able to have them play a part is lovely."
Fearn airfield was operational from 1941 to 1957, while Tain, although no longer in service, is still in use as a Royal Air Force weapons range.
The monuments project is part of a wider scheme by the ABCT to ensure that airfields throughout the country are recognised.
The charity installs monuments at airfields, both operational and disused, around the UK.
Mr Bannerman said: "By the end of this year we will have erected 200 memorials across the UK.
"We are also working on a number of other projects, both to celebrate the contribution some airfields have made and to save other historic ones from closure or demolition."
