THE PICTURE it paints is apt, an empty heliport, with a lone removal van beginning the process of clearing out nearly 50 years of memories at the Eastern Green site.
Less than a week since the last helicopter touched down at Penzance Heliport, fresh from the Isles of Scilly, work has begun to prepare the once west Cornish landmark for a new chapter in its life.
But as provisions are made for the construction of a Sainsbury's superstore, for many last Wednesday will live long in the memory.
Former employee Jonathan Verran was just one of the hundreds who packed out the heliport to see the last British International Helicopters' flight land – ending 49 years of flights from the Penzance town.
Mr Verran, an operations supervisor, was one of the longest-serving employees at Eastern Green, having worked there for 35 years.
For him and his colleagues the occasion was understandably sombre.
He said: "There were people on the last flight I got to know very well. I flew as cabin crew for a number of years.
"Four individual people I knew very well, so I went up to say thank you very much to them. It was a very sad day.
"We did have a big get-together on Saturday, there must have been 120 staff, former staff, friends and family. It was a celebration of the service, we were determined not to make it a wake."
The others who had gathered at the heliport last week all shared former employees' sadness at the loss of the service.
Joan Henson, who has a cottage at Rosudgeon, said: "We have grown used to hearing the helicopters come and go. It's been part of the scenery and it's been part of my life. I came to see the last flight because I think it's really sad for Scilly."
Georgia Langton, from Dorset, a regular visitor to Tresco, said: "I'm sad for Scilly mainly. This has been a very convenient way to get there and it is sad that it is ending after 50 years. I have been going to Scilly for 30 years. This won't stop me going."
David Langsworthy, a blue badge guide who used to live on Scilly and now lives in Sennen, managed to nab some memorabilia being taken off the wall of the heliport – a BIH safety notice.
"I have put a lot of visitors on the helicopter flights and people have always loved it. It's part of their holiday. Where else can you fly by helicopter in this country?" he said.
April Stroud, from Wiltshire, was meeting her two daughters who were on the last flight: "They booked it quite by accident in June. They didn't realise it was the last flight."
