In a letter to the town’s commissioners explaining the reason for the cancellation, the Department of Economic Development said that while it has been pleased to support the Sprint for a number of years, the 2014 Red Arrows display came very close to being aborted due to an incident at Waterworks, which required medical helicopter to attend and last year’s display had to be cancelled at the last minute due to a clash with TT racing on the Tuesday.

‘Having reviewed the past two years and the increasing likelihood of racing taking place on the Tuesday, the department advises that it has reluctantly had to take the decision to not request a Ramsey display.

‘The department recognises that this will be disappointing news, but hopes the commission will understand the reasons behind it.

‘The department remains committed to working with the commission to make both the TT and the Festival of Motorcycling Sprints as successful as possible,’ it stated.

Members voiced their disappointment at the news, but felt there was nothing to be done.

Chairman Lawrie Hooper, on the other hand, proposed that they make their feelings known in the strongest terms.

‘We should very publicly tell them we are very disappointed about this.

‘t’s disgraceful they can do this at the drop of a hat, without any consultation.

They have just gone ahead and done it’, he said.

The display team will be seen over the skies of Douglas on June 7 as part of entertainment for TT week.

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