Thanks to the substantial sponsorship of Adrian Gunner of Merley House and the generous contributions from Lord Stephen Young and the brilliant fundraising efforts of Maggie Keet of the Bournemouth Aviation Museum, we are thrilled to say that the Bournemouth Air Festival will welcome the Vulcan on Sunday 1st September.

There had been fears that Vulcan XH558 – the world’s last flying example – would not be visiting due the cost of a display, which is over £10,000. That triggered a fundraising effort from the Bournemouth members of Vulcan to the Sky, who set up a Just Giving page and collected donations via members of Bournemouth Aviation Museum.

Wimborne’s Merley House got on board and, alongside Lord Young’s contribution; they have secured enough to let the Vulcan fly at Bournemouth.

Maggie Keet, from Vulcan to the Sky, said: “It’s excellent news, in two weeks we hit the target. We’re looking forward to seeing her.”

Adrian Gunner, MD of Merley House, added: “When we learned that Maggie had undertaken some fundraising to have the Vulcan fly at the Bournemouth Air Festival, we just couldn’t resist the opportunity to help out to make sure that the beautiful plane graced the skies of Bournemouth once more.”

“The Vulcan is such an iconic aircraft with an enormous following and I knew from parents at a very early age what a special aeroplane it really is.

Lord Young said he had grown up near RAF Benson in Buckinghamshire and saw Vulcans regularly as a child.

“I’ve been passionate about aircraft from about 14 years of age. I’m just in awesome of the Vulcan,” he said.

Colston Nichols, who lives in Poole and flew on XH558, added: “It tugs at the old heart strings seeing it.”

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director, stated “It’s fantastic that through generous fundraising efforts the Vulcan will now be making an appearance. The Bournemouth Air Festival is built of the generous support of people like Adrian Gunner, Lord Stephen Young, Maggie Keet and David Bailey – Patrons Ambassador. The Patrons scheme has demonstrated the positive effect that such contributions can achieve with £15,000 being raised, funding this year’s Night Air displays in addition to over £20,000 raised for the Air Festival charities by both the public and the Patrons Scheme – thank you all so much’

The Bournemouth Air Festival will be taking place from Thursday 29th August to Sunday 1st September. For more information visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk

The Bournemouth Air Festival is more than just an air show, and this year’s Night Air programme extends the true festival feel of the event long into the evening. The electric atmosphere of Night Air, sponsored by Corona and supported by the official Night Air radio partner Wave 105, sees entertainment and events taking place throughout the town, from Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers, the Lower Gardens and town centre.

This year will see the return of dynamic dusk air displays and for the first time ever they will be on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The remarkable SWIP Team Twister Duo return to light up the skies with their swishing and swooping displays, O’Brien’s Flying Circus are back with a crazy routine, and, in a Night Air first, the Red Devils are performing three amazing night jumps, complete with glow sticks and dazzling pyrotechnics. There will also be spectacular fireworks on the Saturday night to finish things off with a bang.

The Corona Night Air stage, in association with Wave 105, will host a selection of fantastic popular performers on both Friday 30th August and Saturday 31st from 6:35pm. From the brilliant Blue to The Feeling, Stooshe, Lucy Spraggan, Diana Vickers, Kodaline, Johnny Hates Jazz, Neon Jungle and Gabriella Cilmi – there is really is something for everyone! Don’t miss out on this spectacular event. Tickets are just £7.00 and can be purchased by contacting BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000 or by visiting bhlivetickets.co.uk and searching ‘Night Air at the Piers’.

Bournemouth Pier will be showcasing some terrific tribute acts including The Beach Buoys who will be spreading good vibrations across the crowd and Elvis tribute act Ben Portsmouth, who is keeping the king of rock and roll very much alive. Plus Derek Sandy will be performing his funky flow of reggae rhythms on Friday night, which will ease you into a relaxing summer vibe, perfectly set to the backdrop of the beautiful Bournemouth beach.

The East Overcliff will come to life in the evenings when the Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood brings regal rhythms and visual splendour to entertain the crowds. The Royal Marines Combat Display Team will also be located on the East Overcliff demonstrating their impressive fighting skills with specialists participating in unarmed combat.

The Lower Gardens will be filled with family entertainment – from traditional Punch and Judy performances to stiltwalkers and face painting. Get your creative juices flowing with plane & craft workshops for children of all ages and abilities or enjoy some Jazz and Swing music performed by some fantastic artist in the Pinewalk Bandstand. So join in the festival feeling and make sure you’re part of this year’s Night Air.

Visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk for more information.