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Bournemouth Air Festival – by the sea and completely free

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

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.

Radio Airbourne Back on Air

The official radio station for the world’s biggest free seafront airshow is returning to the airwaves from 9-15 August bringing live updates and commentary from Eastbourne International Airshow.

Specsavers are sponsoring Radio Airbourne again this year when it returns next month on 87.7FM to entertain airshow fans in the lead up and during Eastbourne Airbourne 2010.

Broadcasting 24 hours a day, brand new for this year, companies are being offered the opportunity to advertise on air or sponsor travel and weather updates, and reach an audience of thousands of listeners.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very excited that Radio Airbourne is returning to the Eastbourne airwaves for this year’s airshow, with lots for listeners to look forward to. From flying previews to exclusive pilot interviews, Radio Airbourne provides the ultimate guide to what’s going on in Eastbourne during its busiest week of the year and this is a great opportunity for advertisers to reach a mass audience. With Airbourne Radio Headsets also available and pre-tuned to 87.7FM, there is no excuse for visitors to miss out on listening to the official radio station.”

Advertising packages are available for Radio Airbourne 2010 starting at just £105 for four 30-second adverts each day from 9-15 August. Or companies can opt for a premium advertising package and sponsor the weather or travel updates for £500+VAT, guaranteeing a mention of their company name every hour from 8am – 6pm each day.

Station Manager Ian Harling is back behind the desk taking control of this year’s Radio Airbourne with guest hosts popping in each day to take over the airwaves, with Eastbourne Specsavers using the station to encourage airshow visitors to take vision tests and hearing screenings.

A Specsavers spokesperson said “Specsavers Eastbourne has been the proud sponsor of Radio Airbourne for a number of years. As one of Eastbourne’s main events in the calendar year, Specsavers is thrilled to demonstrate its support to such an exciting and dynamic show and contribute in part to the community spirit.”

Radio Airbourne returns this year from Monday 9 August through to the final day of Eastbourne’s airshow on Sunday 15 August and promises live commentary, pilot interviews, flying previews, traffic and weather updates and a great variety of music.

As well as listening live, visitors can also keep up to date with Radio Airbourne by following the crew on twitter at http://twitter.com/RadioAirbourne and followers are encouraged to join in the conversation and use the #radioairbourne hashtag to let the team know what they think. Airbourne enthusiasts can also keep up to date by searching for ‘Radio Airbourne’ on Facebook to join the fan group, or they can ring the studio on 01323 722704 Mon – Weds pm or 01323 738606 from Wednesday evening – Sunday.

With official Airbourne Radio Headsets available to visitors for £4, or a special offer price of £3 when bought with a souvenir programme, airshow fans can enjoy Radio Airbourne live as they wander the seafront and enjoy the flying displays.

For more information on Radio Airbourne or to enquire about advertising contact Eastbourne Borough Council’s Events team on 01323 415442.

Royal Air Force Museum Cosford Wins Top National Award

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford was last night crowned Winners of the ‘Small Employer of the Year Award 2010′ at The National Apprenticeship Awards 2010, an Oscar style awards ceremony in London.

Currently five apprentices are employed in the Museum’s Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. MBCC Manager Mr Tim Wallis and Training Manager, Mick Shepherd, were presented the award by Mr Peter Butler of BT, who sponsored the Small Employer of the Year category.

Mick Shepherd, Training Manager says:

“We are all absolutely delighted to have received this award. It is a wonderful accolade for the Royal Air Force Museum and particularly to the staff of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, who have all shown great patience and understanding while passing on their skills and knowledge to our young apprentices.

It also reassures our Trustees that the massive investment they made, and the faith they placed, in the Apprenticeship Scheme has been completely worthwhile and underpins their ongoing commitment to the programme.”

This time of year marks an important period for the apprentice programme as the annual exchange with students from America under the partnership established with and supported by, the museum’s American Foundation takes place. Next week will see two of Cosford’s apprentices Nathan Pugh and Martin Purcell-Shaw along with Deputy MBCC Manager, Darren Priday travel to America for a three week exchange programme.

The success of this ever-widening international scheme emphasises the growth and value attached to the MBCC’s forward thinking apprentice initiative and wider conservation training programme. The Conservation Centre currently has a team of five apprentices; soon to be seven as two new apprentices join the Museum later this year. In 2011, the MBCC will also manage Conservation courses for Aviation Engineering communities globally.

The Apprenticeships Awards 2010 is managed by City & Guilds within the structure of the Government National Apprentice Scheme.

The Conservation Centre will be open to the public from 15-20 November 2010 for visitors to gain behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work and have a rare opportunity to view current projects including the latest arrival, the Wellington. Open from 10.15am – 1.00pm.

The Museum is open daily from 10am – 6pm (last admission 5pm), admission is FREE.

http://www.rafmuseum.org/

Do you have a Winning Airbourne Snap?

Visitors can join the final five-week countdown to the world’s biggest free seafront airshow by sending in their favourite Airbourne snaps for the chance to see their photo flying around the world on a special edition postcard to be launched at the event this summer.

Airbourne has welcomed some of the globe’s fastest and most dynamic jets and aircraft over the past 18 years that have always got spectators snap happy during the four day event in August.

After the success of last year’s Airbourne Photo Competition that attracted dozens of entries, event organisers Eastbourne Borough Council once again want to see visitors’ favourite photographs with a selection of the best entries to be posted on Facebook and Twitter.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very excited to be running the Airbourne Photo Competition again in 2010, and with just five weeks to go until this summer’s spectacular event, we really hope this will up the momentum and get everybody in the mood for this year’s Eastbourne International Airshow. I see thousands of people snapping away with their cameras every year at Airbourne so I’m sure there are some brilliant pictures out there and I can’t wait to see them come zooming in!”

Taking place on Eastbourne’s glorious sunny seafront providing magnificent views of aircraft flying in above the town, over the sea and from behind the white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head, Airbourne provides a picture perfect setting for endless photography.

Last year’s winning snap taken by Scott Morley captured the iconic Red Arrows flying past Eastbourne Pier and this year event organisers are looking for another breathtaking image to be turned into a postcard and launched at the airshow when it returns from 12-15 August.

New for this year, a selection of the best entries will be posted on Airbourne’s page on Facebook and Twitter and airshow fans will be able to post their comments before the final decision is made and the winning entry is picked.

As well as receiving copies of their winning postcard, the winning photographer will also receive Premium Friends of Airbourne Membership and a helicopter trip giving them great aerial views for even more photography during this year’s airshow.

Digital photographs must be a minimum 1MB in size and submitted via e-mail to competitions@eastbourne.gov.uk or can be posted on CD to Airbourne Photo Competition, Tourism Promotions, 68 Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UH.

The competition closes on 31 July 2010. For more information and a full set of competition rules visit www.visiteastbourne.com or www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 01323 415556.

Mayor to Walk on Wings for Chosen Charities

The Mayor of Eastbourne is leading the countdown to the world’s biggest free seafront airshow by taking to the skies with a wingwalk aboard the Breitling Boeing Stearman Biplanes.The Mayor of Eastbourne Councillor Carolyn Heaps will take to the sky later this week to raise vital funds for her chosen charities and to launch the final five-week countdown to Airbourne, Eastbourne International Airshow.

The Mayor will follow in the footsteps of fully trained Breitling wingwalkers and defy gravity as she treads the aeroplane wings hundreds of feet into the air, giving a taster of just one of the flying displays that visitors can look forward to at Airbourne 2010 when it returns from 12-15 August.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Eastbourne, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “‘I am really excited about doing this sponsored wingwalk for my chosen charities – Eastbourne and Wealden YMCA and Care for the Carers/Young Carers – which support the young people of Eastbourne.

“I am always amazed by the fantastic wingwalking displays we see at Airbourne every year and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to mark the official countdown and give my charity fund a boost with a wingwalk of my own! I hope that the generous Eastbourne residents and Airbourne fans will dig deep to ensure that my wingwalking feat is a great success, and that my charity fund for 2010/11 gets off to a flying start.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor the Mayor’s wingwalk with all donations going towards the Mayor’s nominated charities for the year, Eastbourne YMCA and Eastbourne Young Carers, can send donations to The Mayor’s Office, Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UG. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Mayor of Eastbourne’s Charity’.

This Thursday 8 July, the Mayor will take off from Lydd Airport with the Breitling Wingwalkers ready to take on a feat in aid of her chosen charities.

The Breitling Wingwalkers lead a thrilling line up of flying displays at Airbourne 2010 including, the Red Arrows, Blades, Eurofighter Typhoon, F16, Tigers Parachutists, Hawk and more.

Visitors have a packed programme on its way this summer with just as much action on the ground too including the popular Essex Dog Display, impressive motorbike stunts inside a giant steel ball from the Globeriders, and new evening displays on Friday and Saturday with Come Fly With Me and Battle of Britain 70 (BoB 70).

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

Book a VIP Place in Airbourne Aviator Club

Fans of the world’s biggest free seafront airshow have the chance to book into the exclusive Aviator Club at this year’s Eastbourne International Airshow with arena-side wining and dining.The Aviator Club is open for business again in 2010 offering visitors the chance to make their Airbourne experience extra special by becoming a VIP member of the prestigious hospitality club.

Airshow fans, visitors celebrating a special occasion, or businesses looking for an alternative away day or a unique venue to wine and dine clients, can take advantage of arena-side seats, champagne and canapés, and a three-course summer lunch with a day at the Aviator Club.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very excited to be opening the Aviator Club for the third year in 2010 offering Airbourne visitors the chance to really upgrade their airshow experience with a day in our exclusive hospitality marquee. Aviator Club guests can put their feet up and enjoy table service with a private bar and the chance to enjoy first class views of the arena action and flying line.”

Visitors can book now for the Aviator Club hospitality marquee from just £55+VAT per person per day with guests booking for Friday being offered the opportunity to extend their experience into the evening with the return of the Come Fly With Me evening display. To book a place at the Aviator Club call 01323 415442.

With a top line up of flying already confirmed for Airbourne 2010 when it returns to Eastbourne seafront from 12-15 August, visitors and Aviator Club guests can look forward to displays from the Red Arrows on all four days, a special display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight marking 70 years since the Battle of Britain, the impressive Eurofighter Typhoon, Catalina, Breitling Wingwalkers and much more!

For more information on Airbourne 2010, to book a place in the Aviator Club, or to find out about other ways to upgrade your airshow experience including Exclusive Seating and Friends of Airbourne membership, visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.

RAF Museum to Launch Battle of Britain Blog

From 10th July, the Royal Air Force Museum will be publishing a daily blog about the Battle of Britain on its website www.battleofbritainbeacon.org. Entries for this blog will be taken from the diary of a young pilot John Bisdee of No.609 (West Riding) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force; and will describe not only his combat sorties but also his hopes and fears as well as life off duty.

The dates of 10th July to 31st October were selected as the blog’s publication dates as this period in 1940 was later laid down by the Royal Air Force for the allocation of Battle of Britain honours to units, and for aircrew to qualify for the Battle of Britain clasp.

Peter Elliott, the Senior Keeper for the Museum’s Department of Research and Information Services, states:

“First-hand accounts, written at the time of the Battle, are rare. Bisdee’s diary shows that life on the front line could be a mixture of intense action and off-duty relaxation.

We tend to think of the Battle as taking place over the South-East but Bisdee’s squadron, based in Hampshire, saw action over an area stretching from the outskirts of London to Bristol. There are some gaps, but we have filled these with extracts from the daily Air Staff Operational Summaries, to give a picture of the overall campaign and we have also added relevant material from the Museum’s collections, such as portraits of Bisdee and some of his colleagues and a number of the squadron’s combat reports.

The blog gives an opportunity to see the Battle of Britain unfold through the eyes of a young man who went on to become one of the RAF’s more successful fighter pilots; and it provides us with an added insight into what it was really like to be one of ‘The Few’. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank John Bisdee’s family for granting us permission to share his account, as a young man, with the Museum’s online audience.”

John Bisdee was born in Weston-Super-Mare in 1915 and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937. He saw action over Dunkirk in June 1940 and remained with 609 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain being awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and an OBE by the end of the war. He left the service in 1945 to resume his career with Unilever, before dying in October 2000.

To view his blog please visit www.battleofbritainbeacon.org/pilots-blog. The Royal Air Force Museum London is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last admission being at 5:30 pm. Admission is free.

Parade Veterans To View Model Memorial

National Service (RAF) Association Parade Sunday 4th July 2010

Spitfire Display 1.00pm (weather permitting)

A scale model of the recently commissioned Bomber Command Memorial will be on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford as part of the National Service (RAF) Association parade taking place on Sunday 4th July 2010.

The model will be on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1 and Project Coordinator David Forsyth, an MOD civilian who works in the RAF’s Directorate of Air Staff will be there to speak with veterans and visitors about the project and answer any questions they may have.

The Bomber Command Memorial, scheduled for construction in London’s Green Park, commemorates the 55,573 aircrew who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II. Including bronze sculptures depicting seven aircrew members as well as parts of a Halifax bomber shot down over Belgium in May 1944, this landmark Memorial is long overdue.

The Cosford Parade will commence at 11am with participants asked to fall in between the Airfield Hangars. This year, veterans parade in the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, KCB, BSc, FRAeS, RAF who will be accompanied by Air Commodore CH Green, the Commandant of DCAE Cosford.

The parade will be led by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force with visitors and guests also able to view a display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, scheduled for 1.00pm (weather permitting). The National ATC Championship Marching Band from Royton in Lancashire will entertain guests both before and after the parade with a dizzying display of marching, commencing at 9.45am.

This event first came to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in 2004 and has grown in strength each subsequent year. Last year, over 3,000 guests attended of which 600 or more presented themselves for the parade. All Veterans who served in the Royal Air Force are welcome to participate in the parade, providing them with the opportunity of being re-united with lost friends and colleagues. Members of the public are welcome to spectate.

National Veterans Organisations, as well as many training camp associations will be represented in Hangar 1 alongside displays of memorabilia and the Museum shop. On completion of the formal events, guests will have access to the whole RAF Museum site to catch up with old friends, exchange news and view the exhibits.

The Museum gates will open at 9am on Sunday 4th July 2010, although the Museum itself will open at 10am. Museum entry is free. For further information, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.