Lady ATCO
I was also involved in the Hurn handover in 1985 when Airwork took over from NATS/CAA (and they did throw the Landrover keys into the grass !!)Again bloody irresponsible and very dangerous. But it worked.
Your memory is at fault. The change of ANSP at Bournemouth Airport in 1985 was from Serco-IAL to Airwork. The latter was unable to fully undertake the contract on the starting date and a separate IAL watch stayed on for a further month so that Airwork did not fall flat on their corporate face - AND the IAL staff trained those who were on the unit before the start date. No keys were thrown into the grass.
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