Chris Shaw – Advocating for Birmingham’s aviation history

I was born in 1976 and first started working at Birmingham Airport in 1995 aged just 18 as an aircraft cleaner. After working my way around the airport, I first found myself in the original terminal (The Elmdon Building) 10 years ago when I began a job working with private jets. Intrigued with the history of the Elmdon terminal and its former layout I started a Facebook group to gather some old photographs. This is how I began to realize how much heritage it had and how much potential it had to become a successful visitor attraction.

Sadly, I also realized early on how neglected the building was compared to the Passenger terminals. My recent return to the building after working at various other airports has reunited me with the frustration. Unfortunately, the building today has been left to fall apart and is such a sorry state of repair that I fear the recent flood damage could be the final nail in the coffin so I felt I had to raise some awareness before we lost it forever.

A great update; as of August 2018, The Elmdon Building has been granted Grade II protected status by the organization Historic England! You can read my full update on my Change.org petition page here.

More about what I do and why

My main aim is to raise awareness, to inform and to connect with like-minded people.  I collect stories about Birmingham airport and Elmdon terminal , and connect with people who care about airport heritage and aviation history worldwide.

Created a Facebook group collecting old photos and informing members about heritage related to airports
Created a Change.org petition
Edited a video to raise awareness
Tried to reach out to local media, and gave an interview to the BBC

Show less

What I’ve learned

Speaking to so many people over the years, I have learned a great deal about the personal connection people feel to the airport, and from different perspectives, too. Some have worked there, some departed from it for their first vacations, or others have simply watched the planes from the famous balconies. I have also realized over time that so many more people care about this same issue than I expected when I started. For me, speaking about the airport with others and exchanging memories speaks to the glamorous days of aviation – something we should be proud about, and protect for the future.

How I work

Although I have a full-time job and a young family I want to spend most of my free time with, I usually carve out a couple of hours here and there. For now my main platforms have been Facebook, Change.org. and local history forums. Writing the online petition in an effective way and distributing it was not easy – here’s my advice for you:

–Research the history of the building in question to put up a good, well informed argument.

–Keep it a friendly and low key campaign if possible. Do not risk relationships by allowing personal confrontations.

–Maximize audience with the power of social media, join and share the cause with many groups that have a connection with the building or in my case aviation heritage. Also, join local history forums.

–I initially contacted media prior to launching the petition with no joy, but once it started gathering momentum they soon found me.

–Don’t work alone. Single out one or two level headed people who share your passion to help behind the scenes. Some people may have good intentions, but may rush into action too quickly which will quickly undo all your hard work to date.

–Ground work and awareness is key, everything else should come naturally.

–Don’t be complacent. After launching petition, my immediate priority was to apply for the listed status of the building. Now a member of the team is busy letter writing to the most influential.

–Identify decision makers. Everyone from owners, councilors, historic organizations. Contact them all.

–Speak to people, especially those that may not follow Facebook, etc.! I was surprised at how many in the airport community were unaware of the closure of the building and had presumed it was a listed building.

–Most important: Don’t let the cause dominate your life!

Show less