Close to 1.2m people attended the seventh Bournemouth Air Festival this year (28th-31st August) to enjoy the spectacular air displays, a brilliant variety of exhibits and great entertainment – accompanied, as always, by the unparalleled festival atmosphere.
Record breaking weekend visitors, estimated at 850,000, enjoyed the UK’s leading coastal resort with the Park and Ride scheme busier than ever and the Coastguard confirming 1000 boats watching from the water. This headline event is the peak week in Bournemouth’s holiday season. Creating 500 full-time jobs and bringing £300 million to the local economy, the Festival dates have been confirmed for 2015.
Mark Smith, Director of Tourism said; “The event goes from strength to strength, it’s wonderful to see so many people here enjoying the world’s largest free four-day event. Bournemouth has got a wonderful festival that not only entertains local people but is also great for the visitor economy, supporting jobs and helping investment. The most important thing is that people who come have a great experience, tell everyone and come back next year – 20th- 23rd August!”
As well as the bumper crowds, in attendance this year was The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC ADC and Director-General of the BBC, Lord Tony Hall, who enthused; “Great event, I never tire of watching the Red Arrows.”
As the biggest joint event in the British Forces calendar, Bournemouth Air Festival hosted the Royal Navy, The Army, Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines in their landmark 350th year.
Naval Regional Commander Wales and Western England, Commodore Jamie Miller CBE said; “We are delighted to come back to Bournemouth year after year, and giving a bit more Royal Navy and Royal Marines each time we do. What the public sees as entertainment is actually a credible, valuable, realistic training exercise and an amazing opportunity to show off what we do. I hope that the festival goers leave here with a bit more understanding of what their Navy does and that we have tempted some to think of us when they consider their future careers.”
Andy Morton, RAF Red Arrows Public Relations Manager said; “Response from the people of Bournemouth and all the Festival goers has been phenomenal. Each day the seafront has been packed with people and the team is always thrilled to receive such a fantastic reaction. We’d love to be back next year!”
Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Dare MBE, Royal Marines said; “We are delighted to have opened the 2014 Bournemouth Air Festival in this, our 350thAnniversary Year. From fast roping from helicopters, to beach assaults, unarmed combat displays and the Royal Navy Village, it has been great to showcase to the British public here in Bournemouth what their Royal Navy is doing every day on their behalf.”
Kicking off the Festival was one man phenomenon that is 94-year old wing walker Tom Lackey who impressed crowds on the first day, quipped after his flight; “Wing walking keeps me going and at my age I wouldn’t be alive without it. It’s what I live for!”
Spectators were wowed by the daredevil antics of the awe-inspiring Red Arrows, the RAF Typhoon and The Blades. Mark Cutmore, Blades 1, said; “The Blades always enjoy Bournemouth, one of the best venues in the summer season. To be part of the dusk displays and day shows has made it a fantastic experience – we hope to be back next year!”
Other weekend highlights included Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota and the one remaining British Lancaster bomber. For vintage plane enthusiasts, there was the heritage fly past which included the Miss Demeanour Hunter-Jet, De Havilland Sea Vixen DN110 FAW and English Electric PR-9 Canberra. Pilot Jonathon Whaley said; “My best Bournemouth ever – flew the Vixen and the Miss Demeanour both on the same day… it doesn’t get much better than that!”
It wasn’t just the daytime which was packed with excitement as Night Air ran throughout the long weekend with dusk flying displays, awesome fireworks and great bands taking to the stage at Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier. Wave105 hosted a stellar Friday and Saturday night line-up which included chart toppers Rizzle Kicks, Rixton, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tony Hadley. Jon Brooks Commercial Director, Wave105 said; “What a fantastic two nights of entertainment – music, weather and crowds – bring on 2015!”
New for 2014 was the first Bournemouth Air Festival Artist in Residence, David Bent who caught moments from the land and sea. He commented; “Being Bournemouth Air Festival’s first official Artist in Residence has been a great experience. I have been impressed with the tremendous energy and excitement generated by the Air Festival. Congratulations to everyone involved for such a well organised and brilliant festival. I look forward to coming back to Bournemouth – including exhibiting my work at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in 2016.”
Also, new for this year was the Patrons 100 Club. Ambassador David Bailey said; “The aim was to hit 100 members and we achieved 102 Patrons! It’s fantastic to have the support of businesses and aviation enthusiasts I’m looking forward to starting things off for 2015 very soon.”
Bringing land, sea and air together, with a first artist in residence, 4 days of Red Arrows, incredible Forces support, more than 20 hours of flying, live music at Night Air, pier to pier attractions and stunning dusk displays, the Bournemouth Air Festival has become an established international event!
For more information visit bournemouthair.co.uk, follow the Festival Facebook page bournemouthairfestival or follow the team on Twitter @bmthairfest.
