Since 2002, just drive east along the A44 between Rheward and Kington in the UK and you'll see a sign on the side of the road that reads:
"Terminals 1 and 3 at Llandegley International Airport, 2.5 miles ahead."
But if someone actually follows the signs for 2.5 miles, they will find out,
Not to mention the terminal, there is not even an airport there! There is only one farmland that looks good!
But don't get me wrong, this is not to say that someone made a false sign to mislead passers-by,
He just...... It's just a fake airport...
The man who erected the sign was Nicholas Whitehead, a journalist.
He said it all started one night in 2002 when he was bragging with friends in the local town of Landgueli.
"We wanted to rent a sign for something that didn't exist, and then we chose the airport.
At first we were just talking about playing, but as we talked, we found that we could do it.
So we got a sign company and paid £1,000 to make a sign, then got permission to put it on a private territory.
It ended up being what it is now. ”
According to a report 10 years ago, in order to make a full set of plays, Whitehead also created a homepage for the non-existent Landger International Airport.
It explained that the reason why there were only Terminals 1 and 3 on the signs was because Terminal 2 was under construction.
It also writes about the case procedures on the third floor of the airport:
Local residents were allowed to board immediately without any annoying checks or delays, but that did not include passengers from the nearby town of Landlindow Wells, who needed to be "searched for drugs".
2. Travelers from neighboring towns must take off their rain boots for X-ray examination.
3. All passengers will be searched, hand luggage confiscated, baby formula, etc., while American tourists will be required to take a geographical test...
When asked if Whitehead was concerned that the sign would cause trouble for others, Whitehead explained, "As a journalist, I know very well that no matter what you do, there will always be someone somewhere who expresses dissatisfaction and unease. ”
In fact, there are indeed people who got lost because of this sign and consulted online:
"On my way back from Wales on the A44, I saw a big sign that said '0.5 miles from Landgoli Airport Flight One'.
But I couldn't find anything.
Does anyone know about this?
Is it a local joke or a competitor that makes it bad? ”
Although it was true that someone got lost, Whitehead miscalculated and both locals and tourists loved his jokes.
"I haven't received any complaints about Landguely Airport in 20 years, a lot of people like it, a lot of people don't understand it very well, but as far as I know, no one has expressed upset or anger about it, and this is the first time for me," he said. ”
Later, the "airport" became bigger and bigger, not only "expanding" the café,
(Small print in the lower left corner: Go to the airport café, please follow the signs for Terminal 1)
It even has its own Twitter and Facebook accounts:
He also often complains about current events in the tone of the airport.
During the Russian-Ukrainian conflict:
Okay, we've had enough!
This is already the third time that a Russian-registered private jet has landed in Landgli without authorization! This time, the pilot parked the plane on the runway, and the passengers each got off the plane with a folding bicycle.
According to reports, they evaded customs and rode their bikes in the direction of Cross Gates.
The planes will be seized, auctioned off and the proceeds will be donated to Ukrainian charities.
To the oligarchy crew: If you want to donate your boss's private jet for charity, give us a call first and don't just park your plane on the runway and run.
Congratulations to the Karush Orchestra for winning the Eurovision Awards. We very much hope to see you in Ukraine in 2023.
As a contingency plan, we are considering hosting the Eurovision Awards 2023 in Landgueli, Terminal 3 will be dedicated to transporting Eurovision stakeholders, and we will also have a huge sign in the café in Terminal 1.
Although we don't have accommodation, there are a couple of Victorian spa fever leftover big hotels in nearby Landlindold, and there's a head out!
During the 70th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne:
We don't often mention Terminal 2, but we have to congratulate the Royal Air Force on a great performance today.
Apologies to the residents of Landegley for the noise made during rehearsals, but you now know why.
During Trump's visit to the UK:
Consultation:
Will President Trump enjoy our first-class facilities and beautiful Radno County countryside? For Landgerley, it's also an important global campaign.
On the other hand, do we need such propaganda? And most importantly, what do you, our airport users, think?
And just like that, a bunch of "boring" Britons and an interesting fake airfield, spent 20 years together,
But now, this fake airport is going to disappear...
According to Whitehead, the roadside sign costs about £1,500 a year to maintain, and over 20 years he has paid more than £25,000 (207982 yuan at current exchange rates), a lot of money, and he felt it was time to stop.
And without signs, naturally there will be no "airport".
After the news came out, local residents expressed their reluctance and regret for this sign.
An employee at a nearby coffee shop said, "I've lived in Landguely all my life and this sign is already a part of us."
We often joke that 'people in Landgery, just got off the plane, fly back tomorrow', and that's a funny thing. ”
Local young people said,
"My friends and I laugh every time we see the sign.
When I was young, I asked my mother what was going on, and I hope to tell my children about it one day. ”
Local farmers also say the sign has helped the village find its place on the map: "There is a steady stream of people who want to visit the sign, and people always ask for directions to get to the airport." ”
A long time ago, a fan of Landguely Airport died of cancer, and in her honor, the airport added such a commemorative sign to the roadside.
(Landgli Airport pays tribute to Jill Dibrin)
Jill's family doesn't want the airport to disappear either.
After seeing the support, Whitehead proudly said,
"I think now the airport has been built – it's in people's hearts.
It's not a landmark, but something more important. ”
"The signage can be removed, but the airport remains.
It's like a song, you can set fire to the original script of the lyrics, but the song can't be destroyed.
The same goes for airports. ”
Now, Whitehead plans to launch a campaign to get the airport and the sign officially recognized.
He built a GofundMe crowdfunding interface that reads:
I'm Nicholas Whitehead, founder of Landgerley International Airport. For 20 years I have been spending money to maintain the famous signs on the A44.
……
Now I think it's time for them to "legalize" and get the right recognition.
We will ask the CADW (Historic Environmental Service for Wales), Powys County Council and the Welsh Government to authorise the appropriate signage for the airport.
But in this time of recession, we don't ask them to pay, we all bear it.
The UK government website says it costs around £8,000 to put up a sign on the side of the road, and that's our goal.
Let's give our favorite airport a proper logo.
Now, 18 hours later, Whitehead has raised £650, some way from his goal.
But as he said, no matter what, this airport and this particular sign will remain in people's hearts forever.