Wealdon Aviation Group

[John Vasco]

Tony & Andy,

I fully respect your views about the stance taken by the those who run the Hawkinge museum. Their approach to what visitors can and can not take into the museum is not acceptable to all, but it is their decision. Andy, I know you started a museum from scratch and built it up into a simply superb museum, with an input of your time that hardly any that passed through it during your tenure could really appreciate. I genuinely hope nothing was ever 'lifted' from it. I see the stance of those running Hawkinge simply as a safety measure which they consider necessary to safeguard the contents. I have been there several times, have gone around all of the exhibits and not seen anyone 'policed' heavily, and have seen the museum staff explain things to visitors in great detail. I suppose one can only speak as one finds. If I may give a tenuous analogy. I still gig regularly, and always take two guitars, which are quite expensive (two Gibson Les Pauls, for those interested). Sometimes there are little or no stages in the venues, so the guitars are within easy reach of anybody. If someone goes to look at them (albeit innocently), I'm always up alongside them within a couple of seconds, asking of their interest, and if they'd like to see them close up. Most are simply fascinated at seeing rare left-handed Gibsons. Having had a Gibson Les Paul stolen in 1980, I am aware that the possibilty exists of it happening again, so I always watch my gear like a hawk when I'm offstage. If I have to leave the room, I always make sure one of the other members of the band is on watch over the gear. A sad state of affairs, I know, but necessary.

Tony, thanks for your comments about the music - they are appreciated.