Sir, – Mr Seal, quoted on your front page article last week, deserves widespread support. How is it possible that this blight on our rural town has been allowed to go on for so long? The noise and turbulence created by Chinook helicopters is window rattling and overwhelming, spoiling many a summer in the garden, drowning conversation out-of-doors, sometimes even indoors (letters, Farnham Herald, August15).
Of course, the RAF spokesman would say that they have "received guidance from other authorities". Who are these authorities? Why can't flights except in true emergencies, be directed over the many unpopulated wedges (heath, forests and open farm land) in the south of England, rather than disturbing the peace of so many? If that requires a different approach route to Odiham, would that not hone the navigational skills of the pilots? They do appear to enjoy taking a close look at what the good burghers of Farnham are up to in their gardens to the point that eyeball to eyeball contact is not unusual. Our RAF spokesman again "the height advised (by whom?) for flying over built-up areas is 1,500 feet" – that seems a laugh. How is a built-up area defined? Maybe the area around Odiham is too built-up. If so, is this the optimum location for such an active helicopter base, the the need for which we do not wish to dispute? If the only approach to the runway must be over Farnham as stated, the practice should be changed or the runway removed. Do helicopters require flight path or runway?
A lot of questions indeed. Let us have that petition, Mr Seal, tell us where and when, the sooner the better. This lovely summer will soon be over, but how wonderful if we could enjoy the next one without regular intrusion of this most irritating house shaking and unsettling noise pollution. Though it may not be chemically noxious, it is most certainty spiritually obnoxious
To have this indiscriminately inflicted by a handful of skilled professionals on tens of thousands of local residents who pay to sustain their activities through national taxation, seems socially unjust. What can the RAF achieve voluntarily before our MPs need to get involved?
Hans DuMoulin and Roger Lallemand (addresses supplied)