Hawarden used to have a big airshow every year, I remember going as a youngster. It was still British Aerospace then of course. The highlight used to be the Red Arrows and of course, the (sadly crashed) Mosquito. Not sure when they stopped doing them. But I definately remember an Airshow there annually throught the 80s.
Completely agree though, other than Southport there's a lack of NW Airshows.
Would hardly have called Hawarden a "big airshow". It was part of the "Families day" at BAe Broughton. It was not a public airshow although there were no restrictions on who was admitted. The "airshow" part of the proceedings usually lasted about an hour and a half. As well as the airshow, much of the factory was open for inspection, good opportunity to catch up on the lastest 125s on the line. Overall, an enjoyable day, especially as there was no admission charge!!! Not sure when the last was held, possible they may have lasted into the 90s.
Do not think this is a situation that applies just to the North West. The number of airshows has declined considerably since the 1960s. The subject has been much discussed on various forums.
It as sad fact of life: large airshows cost £10s/100s of thousands to stage and the commercial risks associated with staging them are high. The chances of making any money out of a show are minimal to nonexistent. That brought about the end of Barton (Lancashire AC) and Sleap (Shropshire AC), name but two, shows.
The other parties who have/had the wherewithall to run a show are a). the military (i.e. RAF), b). the industry (i.e. BAe or what ever their current name is), and c). local authorities (Southport and Blackpool). Only the latter group is currently willing to take the risk. One has to wonder how long they will take that view. I guess so long as council tax payers are willing to foot the bill or the Councils can justify them by by attracting visitors to the resort.
To my mind the way to go, is towards smaller rallies/flyins but these are not much of a public spectacle so "the masses" will not be attracted. Those of you who want to see "heavy metal" will have to be prepared to travel........Waddington, Fairford, Duxford, Leuchars etc......
Planemike