Air Show Organisers Start to Prepare for Take-Off

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Tendring Matters Autumn 2009

Tendring Matters Spring 2009

Final preparations are starting to take shape for Clacton Air Show which is now less than two months away.

The event - which is now it its 18th year - is organised by Tendring District Council (TDC) and will be staged on August 27 and 28.

A great deal of hard work has gone into securing the services of a number of aircraft over the two days and a whole host have signed up to take part in the show this year.

Most importantly the Red Arrows have confirmed their attendance on both days and they always provide a huge draw for the 120,000 or so visitors who turn out for the event.

This year will be the team's 45th display season and they will be taking part in more than 90 displays around the world in 2009. Many of the pilots have come back from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Red Arrows is made up of about 100 officers and airmen from across the Royal Air Force and is based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

Another huge favourite is always the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which is also making a welcome return to the show at Clacton.

It will include the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster. The Spitfire entered RAF service in 1938 and remained in the frontline right up until 1954, being phased out in 1957. More than 20,000 were originally built and they fought in every operational theatre of the Second World War.

The Hurricane is one of the classic fighters of all time, being at the very forefront of Britain's defence in 1939/40 and playing a major part in achieving victory in 1945. A Hurricane served every single day during the hostilities.

There are just two Lancasters left in airworthy condition and one will be appearing over the Clacton coastline. In all some 7,377 were built.

Carlo Guglielmi, TDC's Cabinet Member for Community, Partnerships and Renewal, said he was really looking forward to the Clacton Air Show.

"It always provides a tremendous spectacle in the skies over Clacton - and this year promises to be just as enthralling," he said.

"The event is the biggest in the District's calendar and it attracts crowds to the area and boosts business for our traders."

Among the other attractions will be the world's only formation wingwalking team, Team Guinot, which will be performing fearless manoeuvres in the air.

Also included in the programme are the Hawk T1/T1A, the Tutor, RAF SAR Sea King helicopter, King Air, Mustang, Blades extreme formation aerobatic display team, Swift Team gliders, Hunter and the Helimed Air Ambulance.

Unfortunately it has not been possible to sign up the Apache helicopter for operational reasons.

Full details of the flying arrangements will be in the Air Show programme which will be available nearer to the event.

As always a whole host of entertainment is being lined-up for the ground on the West Greensward.

Trade stands are taking up space on the greensward - but there is still space available for those who are interested in being a part of the spectacle.

There will be ground events and the Leisure Arena will be providing entertainment for all ages.

It will include performances by local dance schools, local music groups as well as two visiting dance troupes.

Jubilat, a contemporary Polish youth dance group will be taking to the stage as well as Roco Biberach - an adult dance group from Germany. Both will be in town for Town Twinning celebrations and have agreed to perform at the air show.

Staff from Lifestyles at Clacton Leisure Centre will be on hand giving demonstrations and advice on how to keep fit and healthy in the arena run by Tendring District Council's Leisure Services.

Cllr Guglielmi said that Council officers put a tremendous amount of hard work into the air show.

"It is a mammoth operation and I congratulate all those involved in their efforts to put on a first class event over two days," he added.

"It is not easy in the current economic climate but they have pulled out all the stops once again."

1/7/09