Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome desperate to stay alive

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome near Maldon is the last remaining First World War aerodrome functioning in the world, untouched since it was constructed in 1916 and still flying First World War aircraft today. 

While the aerodrome benefits from grants and stays afloat with an on-site café and popular events, earlier this year the aerodrome was “ambushed” by construction works in April.

Amazing - BE2e and the Nieuport aircraft at Wings and Wheels 2023 (Image: David Davies) A fundraiser set up to help the aerodrome financially recover states the roadworks on the site’s access road either closed or restricted visitors getting to them, leading to the aerodrome’s income plummeting to lower than 50 per cent and a loss of close to £60,000.

Initially, the aerodrome understood the works would only take ten days, but when they remained it was found there was a communication error and the works were scheduled for 100 days.

Ian Flint, chief executive at Stow Maries, has consistently advocated for much-needed funds for the site.

Campaigner - Ian Flint, CEO of the Stow Maries charity, is trying to save the future of the aerodrome (Image: Ian Flint) Ian, 49, said: “There is nowhere else like this in the world.

“Stow Maries was the only place in the world flying aircraft on the day the RAF formed, and the only place in the world flying BE2e aircraft in both 1918 and 2019 on the 100-year anniversary.

“We are Grade A listed—the only thing above us is Stonehenge.

“There isn’t anywhere else in the world like this; it is the last one.”

After the roadworks, by September, the situation was bleak, but a significant confidential donation has saved the aerodrome for one more year.

Popular - Author Ian Castle's talk at Propwash 2023 saw a large crowd attend (Image: Andrew Critchell) Ian continued: “Up until September there was no guarantee we would still be here.

“I had already drawn up plans of the closure of the site, with over 5,000 objects and some full-size aircraft that would need to be moved to new homes on our own expense.

“Thankfully, because of the massive support, we can now look to next summer and make a good estimation of what we can do.”

Stow Maries receives no exterior funding and is mostly run by volunteers who “do it for love.”

The last - Stow Maries was the only aerodrome in the world flying BE2e aircraft in 1918 and 2018 (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)Ian said: “What we need is people—we need people to come and hear the stories we can tell.

“If it hadn’t been for Stow Maries and the others, Germany would’ve attacked London happily.

“It’s a story that isn’t told enough and can’t be told anywhere else.

“It’s not just about aircraft, it’s about people, heroes and the community.”

Stow Maries has packed its calendar with events for 2025 to help recover from the roadworks.

For more, visit: https://www.stowmaries.org.uk

The fundraiser for Stow Maries can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-story-alive

A spokesman for Northumbria Water Group, which owns Essex and Suffolk Water, said: “We are sorry to hear the concerns being described at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

“In July we reduced the scope of the project, allowing us to finish work and leave the site over a month ahead of our original schedule, we were in communication with Mr Flint in advance of, and throughout these works.

“We updated Mr Flint and reiterated the procedures we have in place for him to claim loss of income.

“Since then, we have met with Mr Flint to discuss the specifics of the claim, we are currently in the process of reviewing the financial information that Mr Flint has kindly supplied and are in the process of writing to him to advise around next steps.”