Birdman’s wings clipped

Apr 11 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

BIRDMAN Ron Freeman is facing the prospect of being grounded in his annual bid to win Britain’s wackiest flying contest – and potentially soar away with a £30,000 jackpot prize.

The Northumberland-based aviation enthusiast has won the International Bognor Birdman contest eight times in the last 10 years in his adapted hang glider Geordie Flyer.

But now health and safety concerns mean the 30th anniversary of the annual contest on the West Sussex coastline might not go ahead this summer.

Each year more than 20,000 people watch an assortment of costumed characters and serious flyers try to soar as far as they can by unaided flight from a take-off platform on Bognor Regis pier before splashing down in the English Channel. Now a decision to shorten the pier by 80ft for health and safety reasons, and concerns over the continuing ability of the listed structure to support the weight of the 35ft-high launch platform, have caused the cancellation of July’s event in Bognor.

A spokesman for the contest committee said yesterday: “This has presented several difficulties in aspects of safety for the organisation of the event, the most serious of which are ensuring sufficient depth of water for flyers to land in, repositioning the launch platform and having restricted visibility for the spectators on the promenade immediately west of the pier.

“In the words of committee members, we are gutted at having to make this decision. We have great support again from local businesses and organisations and we hope we may be successful in finding a short-term solution for the Birdman.”

Birdman Trust officials are now looking into the possibility of relocating the event to Worthing Pier or another venue, but there is a possibility that the event might not be held at all this year. It would have offered a £30,000 jackpot prize to anyone who managed to fly for 100 metres.

Yesterday Ron, 52, who lives in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea with his wife Jacqui, said: “It will be very disappointing if the Birdman is cancelled because everyone who takes part raises money for charity. I am convinced that whatever happens the event will definitely go ahead next year.

“I have flown almost 84m at Bognor and with £30,000 available for anyone who manages 100m, I feel I am quite close.”

Last summer Ron won for the eighth time, picking up a £1,000 cash prize for a 72.5m flight.