REACTION: Worthing Birdman 2016 cancelled

People have reacted with disappointment to the news that the Worthing International Birdman event has been cancelled.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Feb 2016, 12:13 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:59 BST

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Action at last year's Birdman eventAction at last year's Birdman event
Action at last year's Birdman event

As revealed in yesterday’s breaking news story online,‘escalating costs’ have been blamed the calling-off of the annual seafront event, with organisers the Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI) opting to focus efforts elsewhere.

The decision was met with disappointment by the online community, with user ‘andrew24’ commenting: “Such a shame for a good event to be cancelled. It is also a shame the event couldn’t continue without looking into other alternatives such as going ahead without the big screens! Fair enough it wouldn’t be the best but it saves one heck of alot of money! The potential was there to make it grow and grow so it can support itself! What happened in the evening after the event? Nothing! That’s a HUGE potential to keep people in Worthing!”

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The story also attracted scores of comments when posted to the Worthing Herald’s Facebook page. Zoe Germaine saidd: “Such a shame for the town, would rather have had the birdman than a new bandstand!” and Kerri Frost saying: “Oh No!!!! We love this event! Before I moved here 5 years ago we used to come down on the Birdman weekend and watch it. Very sad.”

Taking the plunge at last year's eventTaking the plunge at last year's event
Taking the plunge at last year's event

Referring to Andy Murray referencing Worthing after winning the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in December, Michael Carmody said: “Looks like Andy Murray was right after all! Worthing is now officially boring! Not much to look forward to around this area this summer!!” – though of course the tennis star actually defended Worthing in his speech, saying: “A friend sent me a message the other day with an article saying ‘Andy Murray is duller than a weekend in Worthing’, which I thought was harsh – on Worthing!”

But the door on the event may not be completely closed, with TCI chairman Chris Spratt saying yesterday: “It was gratifying for us that having first brought the ice rink to Worthing Town Centre when we decided to step aside a private company took the facility forward and that is always possible with the Birdman.”

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Related topics:PeopleAndy Murray