Archive for August, 2010

Watch Grand Firework Finale from Iconic Landmark

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Airbourne visitors are being offered the opportunity to enjoy the airshow’s spectacular firework finale with exclusive seating at the Bandstand on Sunday evening.

The renowned grand firework finale sponsored by Eastbourne Pier is a huge draw for visitors to the four day free event providing the ultimate finish to the action-packed airshow on Eastbourne seafront.

New for 2010, visitors are being given the chance to book a seat on the upper balcony of Eastbourne Bandstand to watch the dazzling display.  

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are delighted to offer visitors and airshow fans the chance to enjoy the wonderful firework finale with their own seat at the Bandstand. With hundreds of visitors expected to line the seafront to watch the display, the upper balcony at the Bandstand offers unrivalled views and provides a great way to enjoy the end of another year at Airbourne.”

Visitors can book exclusive viewing seats for the firework finale from the Seafront Office next to the Bandstand or by calling 01323 410611 and for just £2.50, they offer excellent value for money. 

Exclusive viewers can take their seats from 9.30pm ready for the 10pm display to be launched from the end of the Pier.

With exclusive seating available during the day on all four days of Airbourne as well offering uninterrupted views of the flying line, avid airshow fans can enjoy their own seat for the day with prices starting from £7 per person per day.

For more information on exclusive seating at Airbourne go to www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk or call 01323 410611.

Airbourne Evening Extravaganzas

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Visitors to the world’s biggest free flying extravaganza can enjoy the event all day and night long in 2010 with new evening entertainment every night at Eastbourne Airbourne from 12-15 August.

Eastbourne International Airshow is offering visitors the opportunity to extend their Airbourne experience into the evening with a packed programme of evening entertainment including Bandstand concerts, live bands and a spectacular firework display.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Airbourne is a fantastic event promising four thrilling days for the hundreds of thousands of visitors that are on their way later this week. With so many visitors enjoying the free event, we are very excited to extend the choice of evening entertainment for 2010 and offer visitors the opportunity to stay on the seafront and watch live concerts and evening flying too! Our new event, Picnic on the Proms, taking place on Saturday evening promises to be spectacular and we are very pleased to be welcoming The Shades of Blue Big Band for this special performance.”  

Starting this Thursday 12 August, the evening entertainment at Airbourne kicks off with a Big Band Night at Eastbourne Bandstand with Swingshift playing classic hits from this memorable era.  

Friday night really does offer non-stop Airbourne action all day, with Swing Street Band playing live in the arena from 6-8pm to a backdrop of flying displays from the Eurofighter Typhoon, Gnats, Blades, Spitfire and Hurricane Bomber for Come Fly With Me. Visitors will be invited into the arena to enjoy performances ranging from Frank Sinatra to Amy Winehouse, with Easy Company exhibiting their military vehicles.

Visitors can then hot foot it down to the Bandstand for a Night of Dirty Dancing, with the audience invited to get up and dance at the tribute concert based on the popular 80s movie.

Saturday night offers a brand new experience for Airbourne in 2010, with visitors invited to Picnic on the Proms. This special evening event offers families the chance to bring a picnic and enjoy the sun setting on another day out at Airbourne with The Shades of Blue Big Band, part of The Band of the RAF Regiment, performing a free arena concert from 6-8pm. 

From Big Band to Rock n Roll, the Bandstand extends the musical experience at 8pm with an Elvis tribute concert bringing the seafront to life. 

And as the bumper filled airshow comes to an end on Sunday, visitors have one last chance to enjoy Airbourne into the night with an RAF Military Concert at the Bandstand from The Band of the RAF Regiment and a Spitfire flypast at 8pm, followed by the free dazzling firework finale from Eastbourne Pier at 10pm. 

Tickets for all Bandstand concerts are on sale now from the Seafront Office, next to the Bandstand, or by calling 01323 410611.  

For more information on the evening entertainment at Airbourne 2010 visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

Spectacular South Downs Steal Photo Competition

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

A spectacular image capturing an iconic Red Arrow Hawk flying over the South Downs has triumphed in the 2010 Eastbourne Airbourne Photo Competition beating off more than 200 entries.

The winning photograph taken by Andrew Campbell was a favourite amongst the judges showcasing one of the most popular flying displays against a backdrop of Eastbourne’s thriving beaches and breathtaking South Downs countryside.

Attracting a record number of entries this year, the Airbourne Photo Competition received an outstanding selection of images this year, with entrants showcasing the busy beach setting, the iconic Pier and Bandstand, fantastic smoke formations, wide range of aircraft and white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a fantastic number and range of entries we received this year! The standard of entries was really high, which made it very tough to pick a final winner but we feel the winning photograph really captures what a fantastic event Airbourne is. Not only can you see the busy beaches reflecting Airbourne’s status as the world’s biggest free seafront airshow, but you can also see one of the most popular flying displays zooming past the magnificent backdrop of the South Downs. I’m sure we’ll see this image flying around the world as a postcard this summer!”

Andrew’s winning image is being turned into a limited edition souvenir postcard available for visitors to buy from the Information Tent at this year’s Airbourne, which starts next Thursday 12 August.

Promising a thrilling line up of flying over the four day event, including fast jets the Red Arrows and The Blades, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Cataline, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, F-16, Breitling Wingwalkers, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Vampire and more, there will be plenty of opportunities for photographers and airshow fans to get snapping again this year.

With the arena line up also promising action-packed displays such as the Essex Dog Display Team with their canine friends leaping through hoops of fire, and the Globeriders performing gravity-defying motorbike stunts inside a giant steel ball, it’s not just the skies that will capture photographers’ attention next week.

With the free event taking place from 12-15 August now just a week away, visitors can join the final countdown and purchase a copy of the official 2010 souvenir programme for just £3, and get expert information on all of the displays coming up this summer.

For more information on Eastbourne Airbourne visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

Thrilling Flying at Eastbourne Airbourne Next Week

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

There’s just a week to go until Eastbourne International Airshow zooms back to the UK’s sunniest place with visitors ready to enjoy hours of spectacular flying, seven days of live Radio Airbourne broadcast, 35,000 ice-creams, brand new Picnic on the Proms and a dazzling firework finale! 

Airbourne returns to Eastbourne seafront next week from 12-15 August and now in its 18th year, promises to be bigger and better than every before with fantastic flying, evening entertainment, arena displays, Bandstand concerts and more!

Headlining this year’s event is four days of displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, commemorating 70 years since the Battle of Britain was fought out over south east England with Saturday evening offering a special anniversary display. Visitors can look forward an exciting Dogfight re-enactment between the Spitfire and Bucon Messerschmitt 109 in an attack on a pleasure boat before a new evening extravaganza.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “I am extremely excited for this year’s Airbourne and the fantastic programme of displays and entertainment coming up next week! Not only do we have a brilliant flying programme and the chance for visitors to get their hands on the latest flying schedule when they buy the souvenir programme, but there are great new evening events, the popular Bandstand concerts, the wonderful RAF Village and of course, the acclaimed firework finale to round off four bumper packed days! Set on our stunning seafront, with lots to see and do, Airbourne is the perfect event to keep you entertained for a long weekend by the coast!”

Crowd favourites the Red Arrows, whose display is sponsored by TravelInsured.co.uk, are back for three days of flying on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a special ground appearance on Saturday afternoon finishing with a flypast on Sunday. And the Reds will be joined by a top line up of international aircraft over the four days including the Belgian F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon, P-51 Mustang, and Catalina.

With such a vast line up of flying, Airbourne is going into the evening on both Friday and Saturday night in 2010. Come Fly With Me! returns on Saturday evening with the Typhoon, Gnats, Blades, Spitfire and Hurricane Bomber performing an evening display from 6-8pm while the Swing Street Band perform in the arena playing a variety of music, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble!

Brand new for 2010, Saturday evening offers another evening extravaganza with Picnic on the Proms. Following the special Battle of Britain 70 display, The Shades of Blue Big Band, part of The Band of the RAF Regiment, will perform in the arena and visitors are invited to bring a picnic to the lawns and chill out as the sun goes down on a busy day at Airbourne.

With plenty of reasons for visitors to have their eyes to the skies, there is also lots to look forward to on the ground including the RAF Village on the Western Lawns offering a fascinating insight into life in the Royal Air Force. Children can sit in a replica Red Arrow cockpit or climb aboard a replica Chinook, while the RAF Careers team speak to budding young pilots, and the Mobile Catering Unit carry out field cookery demonstrations.

For those who want their own personal soundtrack to the airshow, visitors can buy Airbourne radio headsets from the Information Tent at the event and tune into Radio Airbourne on 87.7FM promising 165 hours of live commentary, pilot interviews, music, weather and travel updates with a programme and radio headset available together for only £6.  

The airshow opens from 10am – 6pm each day from Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 August, with extended flying until 8pm on Friday, a live band until 8pm on Saturday, and a firework finale launched from Eastbourne Pier at 10pm on Sunday night.

For more information on Airbourne 2010 visit www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Battle of Britains Hidden History To Be Revealed

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Free Event 11th and 12th September

The Royal Air Force Museum London, the former site of RAF Hendon, is to examine the hidden history of the Battle of Britain, this September, as part of an open air living history festival dedicated to ‘The Few’.

As part of the weekend’s programme of events Sunday Times bestselling historian Patrick Bishop will explore the myths and realities of the Battle of Britain, examining the legends that have grown around ‘The Few’, the Spitfire and Winston Churchill; with members of the public welcome to join in the debate and question Patrick about mistaken common beliefs held by the public.

On the Saturday, he will be joined by Roger Moorhouse, the author of ‘Berlin at War’, to debate ‘The Battle of Britain – From Both Sides’. Here both historians will explore whether it was RAF determination and the ingenuity of British scientists that prevented invasion against a numerically superior enemy force or whether it was a lack of comprehension by Luftwaffe Commanders of the strategic importance RADAR and the RAF that enabled British Forces to claim victory in this campaign.

Further talks given by members of the Museum’s Department of Research and Information Services will explore the many challenges – including language – that had to be negotiated by the most successful Squadron of the campaign, 303 (Polish) Squadron in the talk ‘Repeat Please’. Whilst in ‘September 15th’ the museum explores this tumultuous day in 1940 and asks whether it was a pivotal to the outcome of the campaign as some historians believe.

Members of the public are invited, after each talk, to ask questions and to further debate each talk’s conclusions with each presenter. Additionally, the museum will be showing throughout the weekend, in the museum’s cinema, rare archive footage from the Battle of Britain – including ‘ White Eagle’ which examines the Polish contribution to the campaign and ‘Fighter Pilot’ which follows the day in the life of an actual Battle of Britain Squadron, during the campaign.

As part of the weekend activities, members of the public will be able to interact with re-enactors and question them on their roles and to witness a Scramble, as it would have been executed at RAF Hendon in 1940.

The Battle of Britain Weekend runs at the Royal Air Force Museum 11th and 12th of September from 11am to 5pm. The site itself is open from 10am to 6pm. Admission to the museum and to the Battle of Britain Weekend is free of charge. For further details, visit www.rafmuseum.org/whatson or call 020 8205 2266.

Bournemouth Air Festival – by the sea and completely free

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Backed by the Royal Navy and with air cover provided by scores of heavily-armed military aircraft and Royal Navy ships, a crack team of Royal Marines will launch a waterborne assault on Britain’s best-loved seaside resort this August.

The mock “coup” is just one of the countless events that make up Bournemouth’s spectacular annual Air Festival, taking place over four days from August 19th – 22nd.

More than a million visitors are expected to flock to the town’s clifftop and beach for the event which includes displays from the world of aviation, including the world famous Red Arrows (Friday 5pm, Saturday 12.30 & 4.30pm Sunday), the incredible Typhoon and Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter Display Team. Displaying for the first time at the Festival will be the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16, The Parachute Regiment Freefall Team – ‘The Red Devils’, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment’s Parachute Display Team ‘The Tigers’, war bird Hunter Jet, ‘Miss Demeanour’ and recently announced Vulcan – all of this is completely free of charge!

When the skies aren’t filled with vibrant aircrafts and colourful smoke, there’s 1.5 miles of trading space along the Festival site, trips to HMS Bangor and even the Guild of Aviation Artists exhibition in the town centre.

In the evening, ‘Night Air’ entertainment is the perfect way to end an incredible Festival line-up. On Thursday, Friday & Saturday watch performances by the Royal Marines Combat Display Team and HM Royal Marines Band – there’s also fireworks, a hot air balloon glow, an evening to night time air display, live music, circus workshops, Saturday night concert, street entertainers, fireworks and outdoor film screenings.

New for 2010 and not to be missed is the fantastic dusk air display on Thursday evening starting from approx 8pm and featuring the Red Devils, Glider, Miss Demeanour and Dutch F-16… the perfect reason to ‘stay longer and see more!’

Jon Weaver Air Festival Director said: “After two successful years, we did wonder how we could improve on the event, but we have secured some fantastic aircraft and incredible entertainment. We strive to create a line-up that is bigger and better than before and have just announced another addition – the historic Vulcan bomber. This year’s event will no doubt cement our reputation as the leading aviation festival of its kind – I am sure the hundreds of thousands of people expected will enjoy every minute of the free Bournemouth Air Festival!”

Before even stepping foot onto the 1.5miles of Festival arena be sure to download the Bournemouth Air Festival iPhone application. The official app comes with a GPS map, aircraft facts, programme of events and must-have Bournemouth information so you can plan ahead and make the most of your time in the UK’s leading resort. Simply search ‘Airfestival public free’ and connect to the free WiFi, courtesy of Etherlive, you can also tweet, share pictures and stay connected with friends and family.

A four-day festival jam-packed with awesome aircrafts, miles of trading stalls, day and night attractions and of course, it is all free – it’s certainly the perfect August attraction.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Countdown to Eastbourne Airbourne with Official Programme

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

The world’s biggest free seafront airshow is just a week away and fans are being invited to join the final countdown with the official souvenir programme on sale now.

Visitors to Eastbourne Airbourne, taking place from 12-15 August, can enjoy an early taste of the spectacular flying, action-packed arena displays and bumper schedule of evening entertainment with the 2010 Souvenir Programme already hitting the news shelves around the town.

With hundreds of fans already ordering their airshow programmes, visitors are getting ready for a bumper 2010 event, with expert information on the flying displays, exclusive competitions, money-saving coupons for local attractions, and vouchers to exchange for up to date flying times on the day.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “This year’s souvenir programme really is bumper packed from start to finish with a whopping 62 pages full of behind the scenes information on all of the flying displays, a guide to the RAF Village, a plane spotter’s guide, fantastic family competitions and much more! Containing daily flying vouchers to exchange for an up to date flying schedule at Airbourne, we will be able to bring visitors the very latest times so they can plan what to watch when!”

This year, the souvenir programme is available at more outlets than ever before making it easy for airshow fans to lay their hands on a copy. As well as being available to buy online from VisitEastbourne.com and from the Seafront Office and Tourist Information Centre, the Airbourne programme is now also available to buy from independent newsagents and outlets in and around Eastbourne.

With official Airbourne radio headsets also available to purchase offering the chance for visitors to listen to the official airshow radio station on 87.7FM, visitors can buy both for just £6 and enjoy the ultimate guide to Airbourne.

For more information on Airbourne 2010 or to order a copy of the programme online visit www.visiteastbourne.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.