Lowestoft air show attracts over 210,000 visitors

More than 210,000 people have flocked to Lowestoft beach today for the 13th seafront air festival, according to early estimations.

Paul Bayfield, managing director of the show, said the figure was only 10,000 down on last year and he was still hoping to smash the record of 430,000 spectators over the two days in 2009.

He was also optimistic that visitors to the town were in large supporting the £2 donation to help keep the show alive.

Mr Bayfield said: “We need some sun tomorrow, no rain and more or less the same amount of people to beat the record. Friday is historically the busier day so we will see.

“I have walked up and down the seafront several times and there are a lot of blue stickers. If we can turn that into hard cash we will be happy. We are cautiously optimistic.”

For the first time organisers have been forced to dip into their reserves to help put the festival on and without public support the iconic event could be grounded permanently.

The rainclouds stayed away for the thousands of visitors who packed in to the beach and seafront areas.

This year’s display was one of the best ever put together and the crowd was enthralled from the start when members of the Prince of Wales Royal Parachute display team opened the event to the thrilling finale by the world-famous RAF Red Arrows.

Other highlights included the Avro Vulcan, a Gen Dynam F16 from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, a Dornier Alphajet from the French Air Force, and, of course, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

With more than 60 volunteer doctors, paramedics, nurses and cadets from the St John Ambulance working in partnership with the East of England Ambulance service it has been a busy start to the two days although there are no reports of any serious incidents.

There are at least 90 charity stalls, caterers and traders along the seafront in addition to a large amount on the Royal Green.

“Many of them come back each year, and all the traders and caterers have been extremely good this year despite the recession,” organiser Keith Moughton said.

Event controller Andy Wilson Sutter said: “Everything is working really well.”

By mid-afternoon about 25 children were reunited with their families by stewards and officials.

The message from organisers was for people to take advantage of the wristbands, which are being sponsored by HM Coastguard.

“They have been very well received and we’ve received very positive comments and we’ve seen a return on this as the kids have been reunited with their parents,” said Mr Wilson Sutter.

It has been a superb first day at the air festival and organisers will be hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

Source: Lowestoft Journal

Tags: Lowestoft air show, Lowestoft beach, Paul Bayfield

Category: Charity Events