24th October 2012

LYME REGIS: Jurassic Airlines set for lift off in Jubilee Pavilion

THE Onboard Jurassic Airlines simulator will return to Lyme Regis for a three-month stint over the winter.

Town councillors have agreed in principal to the return of the simulator, which proved popular with visitors when it was first set up in Lyme during the Fossil Festival, from October 22nd to January 22nd inside the Jubilee Pavilion on Marine Parade, despite other bookings having already been made to use the facility.

The project is being run by Lyme Regis Development Trust in conjunction with Hartnell Creative Communications, and the town council will take 10 per cent of profits, expected to total £2,990. This figure is based on the simulator being at 80 per cent capacity over the three months and selling 1,246 tickets.

Despite bookings having already been made to use the pavilion over this period, including Cancer Research UK’s booking for The Great Lyme Regis Christmas Pudding Race on December 15th, Jurassic Airlines will be set up inside with the simulator in one side of the pavilion and a waiting area in the other.

Councillor George Symonds raised this issue at last week’s Town Management Committee meeting. He said: “I think the bookings are quite important because I believe it’s to do with Cancer Research UK on December 15th. If they have received confirmation we have to take that into consideration.”

Councillor Symonds added that this was a commercial activity and the council needed a policy for commercial activities in the shelters.

Councillor Lucy Campbell corrected him saying it was “partially commercial” with 50 per cent going to the development trust.

“You can’t just blanket it as commercial,” she added.

Councillor Anita Williams said they did need to deal with the existing bookings and she hoped they could provide space for them. However, she said she thought 10 per cent was a good figure and in summer the simulator drew a lot of people into the town.

Councillor Michaela Ellis said she was concerned with how they were going to deal with the bookings and she didn’t think the council could make a decision until they had spoken to those who had made the bookings.

She added that the next full council meeting would not be until after the start date of October 22nd so they could not discuss it further then, adding that it was not the first time they had received late applications from the development trust.

Councillor Campbell said: “I think all that can happen is to work within the timescale that we have. If it doesn’t meet the 22nd it doesn’t meet the 22nd.”

Councillor Mark Gage said that an extraordinary meeting could be held if necessary and that he was happy to support the project.

Councillors agreed to allow Onboard Jurassic Airlines to use the pavilion and would negotiate with the existing bookings. An extraordinary meeting of the full council was later scheduled for tonight (Wednesday) so that a final decision could be made before October 22nd.

A press statement released yesterday (Tuesday) said Jurassic Airlines has been cleared for take off, subject to approval at tonight’s council meeting. Work on installing the simulator has already started.

The brainchild of artist and designer Richard Hartnell, the simulator will transform the pavilion to look like an airport departure lounge, complete with security checks, with the flight taking passengers on a journey through time to ancient Pangaea where they can see dinosaurs and marine reptiles, and then forwards to glimpse the future of the planet.

Tickets for the experience will be £6 for adults and £4 for children/concessions with access to the pavilion remaining free of charge.

Lisa Quick will lead a group of volunteers to run the project, including students from Woodroffe and Colfox schools and Weymouth College. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Lisa at [email protected]

Over 7,500 passengers flew aboard the 12-seat 737 Cabin when it visited Weymouth during the Olympic sailing events, with a survey revealing that around 85 per cent were inspired to learn more about the Jurassic Coast, and 98 per cent deeming the experience to be good or very good and an almost equal number wishing to fly again.

Simon Williams, head of Weymouth and Portland 2012 operations, praised it as “an excellent facility, bringing together education about the Jurassic Coast and entertainment in a great way”.

He added that it “bought quality and diversity to what was on offer during Games time”.

Designer Mr Hartnell said: “Building and running an authentic airline experience involves a diverse mix of skills, enthusiasm and sheer hard work. We’ve worked with higher education, local schools and dedicated individuals.

“We could never have got this far on our limited funds without the support of our volunteer team. Those involved have gained knowledge, new skills and confidence while interacting with our audience, they’ve done a fantastic job to date and I’m really proud of them.”

While the project is still in its infancy, more ambitious plans are being developed in a unique partnership between Hartnell and Lyme Regis Development Trust.

As well as trying to seek a permanent home for the installation, the partnership aims to create a Jurassic Airlines road show which will show the links between our past, present and future and what we can do at a local level to influence global action on climate change.

Marcus Dixon, chief executive of Lyme Regis Development Trust, said: “In the longer term this joint venture initiative aims to create new jobs in the technology sector in the town and we are talking to a number of interested parties who are interested in creating their own bespoke flight simulators.”

To find out more about Jurassic Airlines visit the website www.jurassicairlines.co.uk

PICTURE: TAKING OFF - The Jurassic Airlines pilot and stewardesses pictured outside the simulator when it visited Lyme in May for the Foos Festival.

LYME REGIS: Jurassic Airlines set for lift off in Jubilee Pavilion

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