Here comes the review of January press.

• Fears about the future of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight started earlier this month, after Daily Mail’s speculatory claim that the forthcoming £6 billion defence budget cuts could result in grounding the historic flight, or force it to rely on commercial sponsorship. BBMF’s annual funding is in the region of £3 million.

  Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1243309/Defence-cuts-ground-Battle-Britain-flight.html
  [Daily Mail]

  The BBMF’s initial reaction to the article published at their own site did little to settle the matter, and consequently, it kept causing considerable unrest at the various Internet forums, considering the fact that 2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. These even resulted in a petition to the Prime Minister (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BBMFCuts/).

  Fortunately, the MoD has now moved to end the speculation, confirming that there is no plan to cut any funding from the BBMF.
  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4854585.Battle_of_Britain_Memorial_Flight_will_not_be_axed/
  [Bournemouth Echo]

• Duxford makes preparation to mark Battle of Britain’s 70th anniversary. It may be expected to be an exceptional airshow season.
  http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=479956
  [Cambridge News]
• Red Arrows may always be expected to raise to the challenge; as part of their display routine for the Anniversary, they devised a move in the shape of either the Spitfire or Hurricane.
  http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/Red-Arrows-new-formation-tribute-Battle-Britain/article-1761366-detail/article.html
  [This is Lincolnshire]
• Ron Smyth, aged 85, who is the oldest living Battle of Britain pilot, spoke recently about his memories to Shropshire Star.
  http://www.shropshirestar.com/2010/01/21/battle-of-britain-pilot-recalls-war/
  [Shropshire Star]
• Was your grandma a Spitfire pilot? Maidenhead Museum launches search for the veterans of Air Transport Auxiliary.
  http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%2526+heritage/war+%2526+conflict/world+war+two/art75295
  [culture24]
• George Cowling, RAF meteorologist who became the first television weatherman and one of the most familiar faces on black-an-white BBC TV, passed away in December
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/6896284/George-Cowling.html
  [Telegraph]
• Another sad farewell to Wing Commander Jack Rose, RAF pilot in the Battle of Britain and the veteran of British Expeditionary Force in France.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/air-force-obituaries/6539181/Wing-Commander-Jack-Rose.html
  [Telegraph]