I couldn't let this one go without comment!
I moved to Headcorn last year. I bought a house (at market rate according to the mortgage lender) which is on the edge of the village and therefore beneath the downwind leg. I can watch parachutists whilst gardening or relax in the evening with a beer and watch for free aerobat displays being practised which people in coming weeks will pay good money to see.
I can cycle to the airfield for what the editor believes to be my selfish pastime, but of course I respect the noise abatement routes the airfield have established in order to keep the NIMBY's happy.
There are far worse problems in Headcorn, for example the boy racers who tear through the village - that's for a different fora (and website) - but let's get things into perspective. There are many worse things going on.
What really amazes me is the way Mr Horrocks thinks he can post arrogant and inflammatory material thinking people don't know who he is. His website offers no right of reply, unless vetted by him, and was closed down after he appeared to support September 11 on the grounds that it would be a justifiable price to pay should it force airfields such as Headcorn to close. I never had the pleasure of meeting Chris Freeman, a former owner of the airfield, but find the obituary that appears on this web site highly offensive and believe the publishers can count themselves lucky that his family have not pursued the matter.
NIMBY is dead right, but thankfully most people treat this idiots rantings about parachutes not opening and carnage around Headcorn with the contempt they deserve. The village appreciate the efforts the airfield go to so that everyone can co-habit in peace, and I know for a fact that the instructors drill in the noise abatement procedures to all students. The majority of villagers also occassionally enjoy watching the planes and the parachutes - or they wouldn't have invited the parachute club to land on the school playing field at the May Fair two weeks ago.