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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.

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/

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.

A new Live Chat feature has now been added to the Airscene toolbar.

Toolbar users need only to click on the chat icon (to the left of the news feed) and the room will open. Once logged in - edit your user name and details and begin chatting to other Airscene members.

Your user ID and details are always remembered (apparently) so no need to remember ID’s and passwords - just log in and see who is chatting at the press of a button.

I would like to thank those who made link suggestions for the toolbar - I have now added Twitter and Flickr. I will of course review any other suggestions which are put forward.

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.

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.

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.

We can now confirm that the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Stephen Dalton KCB ADC BSc FRAes FCMI RAF will be Guest of Honour at the forthcoming Battle of Britain Commemoration Service and Parade, taking place at the Allied Air Forces Memorial (Yorkshire Air Museum) on Sunday 6th September. This will be amongst Sir Stephen’s very first public engagements since taking up the senior position of Chief of the Air Staff on 31st July, and he is attending in his capacity as Vice President of the Allied Air Forces Memorial, Elvington.Organised in conjunction with Royal Air Forces Association, the event will mark the 70th Anniversary of the outbreak of WWII and the famous battles that were fought in the skies and fields of Europe and other occupied territories. The event will feature a huge parade of veterans old and young and National Standards of RAFA and other Service Associations. During the event, Sir Stephen Dalton will present a brand new trophy, the Regional Young Person of the Year Award, to the most outstanding Air Training Corps cadet nominated by regional ATC Squadron’s, which will be a high honour for the chosen recipient.

The Service will be also be attended by The President of the Royal Air Forces Association, Air Marshal Phillip Sturley. The Revd (Sqn Ldr) David Norfield, Station Chaplain RAF Linton on Ouse and Yorkshire Air Museum Chaplain Revd Neill Mackay, will lead the Service of Remembrance in the Canadian Memorial hangar, with the stunning background of the unique WWII Halifax bomber.

Other dignitaries include the Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Air Commodore William Gambold, the York Civic Party and Station Commanders of RAF bases Linton on Ouse, Group Captain Mike Longstaff, and Fylingdales, Wing Commander Greg Hammond, amongst many others.

A formal Military Parade, March-past and Salute will take place with veterans, serving airmen and women and ATC. The York Railway Institute Band are providing music for the Service, whilst the Air Training Corps Northern Group Band will accompany the Parade and March Past.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire & Hurricane will be flying at the event which concludes with the emotional Sunset Ceremony and Lowering of the RAF Ensign with the Piper playing the Evening Hymn.

This is a last call for veterans and Squadron Associations / Service Groups from across the country to register their wish to take part in this poignant ceremony in the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, the most senior position in the RAF, and other high profile guests. We urge you to take this opportunity and enjoy this great occasion with us. Please contact John Allison, Hon. Secretary RAFA on 01904 761077 or contact the Yorkshire Air Museum on 01904 608595.

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

The cellar door to the legendary ‘Twitch Inn’ at Douces Manor is today being returned to its former home by the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial, to complete the restoration of this famous wartime haunt. This unusual artefact was donated to the Museum through the Aircrew Association in January 2002.

Douces Manor was the Headquarters and Mess for officers flying from RAF West Malling, in Kent. The cellar bar was frequented by many brave young fighter pilots and, typical of the dry sense of humour of the time, became colloquially known as the ‘Twitch Inn’, due to the nervous affliction that affected many pilots. This noticeable twitch that many displayed was a result of the immense stress, strain and fatigue they experienced during this time of national crisis.

The name was ‘officially’ inscribed into the top half of the swing door by officers of 29 Squadron in 1944, using metal which could possibly have come from aircraft of the time. The bar, which was also adorned with candle soot ‘graffiti’ in the form of signatures and cartoons carved by the airmen into the walls and ceiling, has witnessed many tales of aerial battles won and lost.

Many illustrious air aces have frequented Douces Manor, including ‘Sailor’ Moran, Stanford Tuck, Guy Gibson and Wing Commander John ‘Cats Eyes’ Cunningham with his navigator Jimmy Rawnsley. Together, this pair had become the most successful defensive night fighter team, flying Mosquito aircraft with 85 Squadron and protecting the skies over the Home Counties during 1943. As Commanding Officer of 85 Squadron, John Cunningham actually lived in the Manor House.

The door and other photographic panels were initially donated to the Aircrew Association by Norwich Union, who had been using Douces Manor as a Training Centre, until they vacated the premises. The Yorkshire Air Museum, as the Allied Air Forces Memorial, is now the national repository for items donated to the Aircrew Association and the Twitch Inn artefacts arrived in January 2002. Since then, the Douces Manor site has been redeveloped by Beechcroft Developments, but the cellar bar (Twitch Inn) has now been leased to West Malling Parish Council for a long period for use as a Heritage Centre, managed by the Malling Society. Beechcroft undertook the restoration of the cellar bar in a high quality and sympathetic manner.

Ian Reed, Director, Yorkshire Air Museum, comments: “It is fantastic that these artefacts that have been in our safekeeping for a number of years can be returned to their original home, and complete the restoration of this historic room, which has been witness to so many tales of bravery in the defence of our nation in its darkest hour.”

On behalf of the Malling Society, Margaret McCarthy (Secretary), said: “We are indeed very grateful that the Twitch Inn door panel was saved in the first instance and protected by the Yorkshire Air Museum and the enthusiastic reception to the idea of bringing these artefacts back ‘home’ to Douces Manor on long-term loan is much appreciated. They will be the finishing touch to the restoration project.”

The Douces Manor Heritage Centre will open to the public on certain days and times, and information on this can be found by calling Margaret McCarthy on 01732 220 563 or e-mail: mccarthy804@aol.com

www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

The World’s biggest FREE seafront airshow promises a top flight of international flying displays including the RNAF F16, Eurofigher Typhoon, Belgian Sea King and US Air Force KC135.Visitors to Airbourne, Eastbourne’s airshow, will be treated to a packed line up of exciting international displays in 2009 from the United States, Belgian, and Royal Netherlands Air Forces. From watching thrilling displays from the Belgian Sea King and Royal Netherlands Air Force AB412 Search and Rescue aircraft to the popular F16, plus an impressive display from the highly capable and extremely agile Eurofighter Typhoon; airshow enthusiasts can enjoy a world class flying programme.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “This year’s Airbourne keeps on getting better and better. We already have crowd favourite, the Red Arrows, on all four days and now, with the bumper line up of international displays, visitors are in for a truly spectacular airshow. With entertainment carrying on into the evening at this year’s event, visitors have plenty to look forward to in 2009.”

Other displays confirmed for Airbourne 2009 when it returns to Eastbourne seafront from 13-16 August include the Blades Extra 300, Guinot Wingwalkers, Swift Glider Team, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Tutor, and Mustang.

Visitors will be able to watch in wonder as the glamorous Guinot team perform their daredevil antics aboard the wings of their Boeing Stearman Biplane, while the Blades Extra 300, who have famously displayed at the Beckhams pre-World Cup Party and on TV’s Emmerdale, sweep in and perform twists and turns in the skies.

With tickets on sale now offering the chance for visitors to upgrade their airshow experience in 2009, airshow fans can book exclusive seating at Eastbourne Bandstand for just £7 a day offering uninterrupted views of the flying line, while a day out in the Aviator Club Hospitality Marquee starts from just £50+VAT per person with arena-side seats.

The Friends of Airbourne membership scheme also offers exclusive airshow benefits for those signing up. Airbourne fans can become a Bronze member for free and receive regular newsletters, or upgrade to Silver for just £10 and receive a goody bag, souvenir programme, plus the chance to meet the pilots.

To find out more about Airbourne 2009 visit www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk or telephone 0871 663 0031. Airbourne 2009 is sponsored by Barratt Southern Counties with TravelInsured.co.uk sponsoring the Red Arrows flying display.