Airbourne: Eastbourne’s International Airshow enjoyed another successful year with Sunday proving to be the shows busiest day yet. Crowds enjoyed the most flying displays ever and just as the event comes to a close plans are already underway for 16 – 19 August 2007.
Despite some changeable weather, thousands still flocked to the seafront to enjoy displays which this year included debuts from the French Air Force Mirage 2000, the RNLAF Search and Rescue and the Tigers Parachute team.
Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said “We’ve worked hard this year to continue moving the event forward and have not only exceeded our sponsorship target, but have attracted more international displays than ever before and further improved the organisation from park and ride provision to additional toilet facilities. Planning for 2007 starts right now and we look forward to an even better year next year.”
A new Classic and Historic Thursday format delighted fans of warbirds such as the RAF’s Lancaster, Hurricane and the Spitfire which celebrated its 70th birthday. Displays from the Royal Navy and Army Historic Flights also added to the nostalgia. However it was the fast jets that stole the show for many of the strong family audience with displays from the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, RNLAF and BAF F16s and the RAF Red Arrows.
Car parks were busy, particularly at Beachy Head which saw as many as 1,000 cars in one day, its biggest ever occupancy, all taking advantage of the birds eye view, and 1,500 cars almost selling out of spaces at the Park and Ride on Sunday alone. Bandstand concerts were also busy with Abba Forever selling out for the second year in a row and stewards made the most of the crowds by handing out thousands of entry forms for Friends of Eastbourne Airbourne, urging visitors to join the scheme completely FREE for early updates on next years show.
Air attaches and RAF veterans were invited to enjoy the displays from arena side seats including the UK’s oldest man Henry Allingham and Squadron Leader Dennis Whitby OBE, who was instrumental in developing the Red Arrows coloured smoke from 1965-68. Sgt Graeme Anderson of the RAF Police Dog Display team also received a special presentation from organisers in recognition of his MBE award and his last year based with the team at RAF Brize Norton.
On Thursday school children enjoyed a VIP trip to the arena for the judging of the Eastbourne Hospitality Association ‘Airbourne Art’ competition. Just one of the nine sponsors behind the show, others included City Sightseeing, Eastbourne Arndale Centre, Eastbourne Herald, Red Eventful Cuisine, Sita, SEEDA, Specsavers and Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce, sponsors behind Radio Airbourne 87.7FM.
The show came to a fitting close last night in a moving Sunset Ceremony at the Bandstand with music from the Band of the RAF Regiment and spectacular twilight flypasts from the Spitfire and Harrier, before 8,500 fireworks lit up the night sky from Eastbourne Pier in front of a delighted audience of tens of thousands.
Airbourne returns next year from 16 – 19 August. To receive priority information next year join Friends of Eastbourne Airbourne absolutely FREE, visit www.eastbourneairshow.com for more details.
