Category: Press-Release

Tom Cruise may have the shades and the swagger, but Bournemouth Air Festival has the full package this Jubilee year, say festival organisers on the eve of the new Top Gun film.

The Red Arrows, who have just finished their season’s training, will have a special colourful seven-aircraft formation celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The team behind the RAF Typhoon, which moves faster than the speed of sound at Mach 1.8 or 1381.08 mph – the same as the new F/A-18F Super Hornets used in Tom Cruise’s latest film – also has a classified surprise in store set to take the crowd’s breath away.

If you want to become your own Maverick, head up to the STEM marquee, which will be 50 per cent bigger this year and aims to inspire the next generation of engineers with a range of exciting stalls and speakers.

There will be lots of things on the ground to keep your mini-Mavericks entertained this year, with fun fair rides, trade and food stalls as displays from the RAF and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight planes soar overhead.

Jon Weaver, festival director, said: “Top Gun may have the glamour, but we have the UK’s best free air, land and sea show right here on our award-winning blue-flag beaches – like Slider says, there’s no points for second best.

“We have some surprises up our sleeves too. With the mix of fast jets, acrobatic aircraft, parachuting teams and heritage aircraft our festival will this year give those on the ground goosebumps.

“So, round up your wingmen and women, stick the date in your diary and watch this space!”

Typhoon Flight Lieutenant Adam O’Hare said he looked forward to showcasing the mind-blowing display of speed, power and agility of the Typhoon aircraft.

He said: “I’m delighted to say this year RAF Typhoon display team will be coming to beautiful Bournemouth. We cannot wait to see you all there!”

The new 20-minute Red Arrows display is created and choreographed by Squadron Leader Tom Bould, who is Red 1 and in his second year as Team Leader.

His team will perform one particular move the ‘Double Goose’, which sounds like Maverick’s wingman in the 80s blockbuster, where the Synchro Pair fly head-on towards five aircraft, then pull-up through a pyramid shape.

He said: “It is with great pride and privilege the Red Arrows have opportunity to join with countless individuals and communities, across the United Kingdom and further afield, to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, by performing a display full of creativity and excitement.

“The new show features lots of loops, rolls and shapes with our trademark patriotic red, white and blue trails, marking this important year and the very best of British.

“Bournemouth Air Festival is certainly one of our favourite UK venues to perform at and we can’t wait to make a return!”

Meanwhile up in the sky, the Merlin Mk 2 helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron (The Flying Tigers), which is the world’s most potent submarine hunting helicopter, will be doing a flypast.

Out at sea, a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate, which is the real work horse of the Royal Navy, will be casting an impressive sight from the ocean’s horizon throughout the event.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “We’ll never lose that loving feeling for our fantastic Bournemouth Air Festival!

“It’s always wonderful to see families and children having a good time, either at the fun fair, at the STEM marquee, or staring in wonder at the magnificent RAF planes.

“This summer it will be taking place in our Queen’s Jubilee year, so it will be extra special – we can’t wait to see you all there!”

Notes to editors:

BAF media passes: If you’d like media access to the festival, please send your name, media outlet and requirements to julia.bullas@bcpcouncil.gov.uk, titling BAF passes.

A quick, easy and efficient way to travel to Bournemouth is via South Western Railway. Trains regularly run from London Waterloo and takes as little as 1hour 46mins to reach the UK’s premier seaside resort, home to the UK’s Best Beach (TripAdvisor 2019).

Bournemouth Air Festival ramps up its search for the region and nation’s best traders

The search for a bumper crop of traders to take centre stage at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival has ramped up.

Festival organisers are anticipating the 2022 festival will be one of the best yet, drawing in more than 800,000 visitors over four days.

Festival director Jon Weaver said they have already received excellent interest from local, regional and national talent with a steady flow of bookings coming in.

He said there was still space for producers and companies from across the country, to help deliver top-quality, exciting and unique experiences for festivalgoers along the seafront.

Mr Weaver said: “Our traders are a huge part of the festival, providing non-stop interest. We want to celebrate them and work with them to make Bournemouth Air Festival a roaring success in 2022.

“In previous years, traders have sold or promoted everything from memorabilia, food products, such as honey or sweets, home products, cars, and financial services. Bournemouth Airport and Rowse have also exhibited.

“We’ve had some fantastic testimonials from companies saying it’s the perfect location to engage with a family audience, receive a consistent footfall and raise company profiles.

“So, get your trade application in without delay and make the most of this opportunity. If you would prefer to really showcase your brand, there are sponsorship opportunities available suitable for every budget.”

This year’s landmark free festival will take place on Thursday 1 September to Sunday 4 and will feature the iconic Red Arrows alongside the mighty Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

It has the largest single audience of any aviation event in Europe, presenting a wealth of trading and brand engagement opportunities.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “This year is going to be very special. There’s a real excitement amongst everyone involved.

“Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are eager to celebrate this Jubilee year, and most importantly to support businesses that have overcome untold challenges since March 2020.

“Now in its 14^th year, Bournemouth Air Festival is the biggest date in the area’s calendar, so it represents a major opportunity for traders to get in front of consumers.

“Whether it is tasting, sampling, educating, informing or relationship building, the Air Festival is a fantastic, fun, engaging and inviting event where you can make meaningful connections with people.”

A spokesperson from Bournemouth Airport said their seafront stand in previous years had ensured “great engagement with the public” with “footfall and location superb”. A Rowse spokesperson said: “The Air Festival has been the perfect location to engage with a family audience and receive a consistent footfall throughout the event.”

Traders who would like to register interest should email Ali Perrins, Event Officer, at Alison.perrins@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or apply online here.

Notes to editors:

Please note catering applications for 2022 are now closed.

bournemouthair.co.uk/commercial/

Crowd-pleasing Red Arrows will be making a roaring return to Britain’s biggest free air festival this year.

The award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival will welcome back the RAF Typhoon from the military, this time for four days.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will also take to the skies for four performances at the landmark festival.

Jon Weaver Air Festival Director said: “We look forward to welcoming everyone’s favourite – the incredible, world-famous RAF Red Arrows this year.

“We’re so pleased to be also welcoming back the Typhoon and BBMF.

“Along with these headlining acts, this year is shaping up to be one of the best we have ever had, and we’re looking forward to making more exciting announcements to festival programme over the coming months.”

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome back the Air Festival in 2022.

“The Air Festival is widely loved and attracts many visitors every year. It’s wonderful to see families and children having a good time – the whole atmosphere is electric.

“We have an amazing team that organises it and it’s such an important part of our festival calendar. I can’t wait to see it all come together.”

This year’s festival is scheduled to take place from Thursday, September 1, to Sunday, September 4.

Regarded as the UK’s most successful civilian air show with brilliant entertainment in the skies, on land and in the evening, the 14th Air Festival is certainly set to be the event of the summer.

Press Information:  email Julia.bullas@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Commercial and sponsorship opportunities: email helen.wildman@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

This year’s much anticipated Bournemouth Air Festival is set to engage with a new audience as confirmation of a new STEM area, sponsored by Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK), is taking residence on the East Overcliff. STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas and challenges of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Located next to the RAF Village area the Atlas Elektronik UK STEM marquee will see a number of high profile local, regional and multinational companies and experts specialising in various STEM sectors gathered in one place. They will be on hand and ready to introduce and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, researchers, IT specialists, games developers and more.

Lisa Bowyer, Head of HR from AEUK said; “The Air Festival is the perfect platform to showcase careers specialising in a STEM education. The opportunities are vast, exciting and dynamic, there’s so much possibility. We’re delighted to be supporting this new area, to engage, offer advice and hopefully inspire children and young adults to choose a fulfilling and motivating STEM career.

Participating and on hand to talk to will be expert advice and representation from AIM Altitude, AEUK, Babcock International Group, BAE Systems, Bournemouth & Poole College, Bournemouth University, Cobham Mission Systems, Curtiss-Wright, Draken, EXplora Science Technology and Discovery Centre, RNLI, Spherea Test & Services Ltd, Ultra Electronics and Signature Technicair.

Jon Weaver Air Festival Director added: “It’s great to work with such leading STEM representation from the local and regional area. It represents something new in the festival along with other changes we’re making to introduce maritime. The bigger air-displays have already been announced – and there’s more to come.

Councillor Mohan Iyengar, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Culture said: “It’s more great news for the air festival – along with last week’s RAF announcements. As always, we’ll keep our preparations rolling forward while staying attuned to any further developments and government announcements.

Regarded as the UK’s most successful civilian air show with brilliant day and night-time entertainment in the skies, on land and in the evening, the 2021 Air Festival takes place
2^nd – 5^th September.

From sky to sea – Sunseeker partners with Bournemouth air festival in a record-breaking parade of new and classic sunseeker boats

Sunseeker has partnered with the Bournemouth Air Festival for 2021 to create a spectacular display of new and classic Sunseeker yachts. On Saturday 4th September, Sunseeker owners are invited to join an official ‘Parade’ in front of thousands of Air Festival spectators. Sunseeker is calling for owners to take part and help become part of an extraordinary event by bringing together the largest number of Sunseekers in history.

This follows last year’s hugely successful inaugural Sunseeker Parade as part of the grand opening of its VIP Showcase in Poole, where dozens of boats took to the seas in a commemorative voyage of a lifetime, culminating with a visit to its shipyard on Poole Quay.

The Bournemouth Air Festival draws thousands of spectators each year and remains the UK’s best-attended seaside festival. This year the event is set to return Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th September and Sunseeker is delighted to be involved in bringing the festival back to the local area with new maritime entertainment.

Bryan Jones, Marketing Manager at Sunseeker International, commented: “The Air Festival is such a fantastic local event and one of the best vantage points to view the amazing displays is definitely on the water where boats are invited to anchor. We are delighted to be supporting the event this year and hope to welcome a record number of our fantastic owners to get involved in the Parade and put on something unique for festival-goers to enjoy. We are always blown away by the enthusiasm of our owners who make these events possible and we hope to make this one of the highlights of 2021. We’re used to breaking records but with so many owners involved, this is going

to be truly momentous.”

Added Jon Weaver Air Festival Director; “The Air Festival provides a great platform to showcase the prominent international status of local brands, and in particular Sunseeker based in Poole. We hope this is the beginning of a strong partnership that demonstrates this Festival has a wide programme of activity on land, sea and air.”

If you own a Sunseeker and would like to take part in the Sunseeker Parade on Saturday 4th September 2021, please register your interest.

Ends

FOR PRESS ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Enya Lumley or Nicola McKenna

McKenna Townsend

Email: sunseeker@mckennatownsend.com

Bryan Jones

Marketing Manager

Email: bryan.jones@sunseeker.com

Web: www.sunseeker.com

About Sunseeker International Limited:

Sunseeker is the world’s leading brand for luxury performance motor yachts. Originally named Poole Power Boats, the company was founded by brothers Robert and John Braithwaite in 1969. The company changed its name to Sunseeker International in 1985 and has since become a global icon, with every Sunseeker the result of an uncompromising and unmatched approach to design, craftsmanship and performance.

In August 2013 a majority stake in the business was acquired by Wanda Group, the Beijing headquartered conglomerate with strong footprints across China, Europe and the US. Wanda Group is a committed long-term shareholder providing strong financial and strategic backing for Sunseeker’s continued growth and success.

From its manufacturing base in Poole, Dorset on the south coast of England, Sunseeker employs c.2,000 people and produces around 150 boats every year ranging from 38-161 feet with 95% being exported – see www.sunseeker.com.

Poole is also the home to Sunseeker’s dedicated Design & Technology Centre, a unique facility which vertically integrates every detail of the yachts from the initial concept designs through to the finishing details including furniture, complex electrical systems, helm consoles and soft furnishings. As Sunseeker produces these components in its own dedicated facility, it is able to offer exceptionally high quality control, craftsmanship and attention to detail.

In 2022, Sunseeker International will launch its first production yacht with hybrid power.

Sunseeker’s continual investment in research and development is evident, not only in the application of world-class innovation, but also in the design and construction of its boats. New materials and propulsion systems are continually developed and introduced to the range to offer improved environmental impact, better handling and better comfort on board. Going forward, Sunseeker is investing in new materials and features to improve sound and ambient air quality for its customers.

When customers want something even more distinctive, buyers of the larger Yacht and Superyacht models can benefit from the company’s ‘Bespoke’ customisation service which allows individual customers to personalise their yacht.

Demand for the company’s larger models continues to grow year-on-year with more than 141 yachts over 100 feet in length already delivered since 2000. This increase in demand for larger models has been the driving force behind the recent launch of the company’s Superyacht Division and its truly momentous plans to expand its manufacturing into the world of metal-built yachts. This exciting new development will see Sunseeker produce its largest superyacht ever, the magnificent 50M Ocean, launching in 2023.

Working very closely with 120 retail & service locations in 74 countries, service and product support is a key priority in maintaining customer satisfaction.

As a prominent business within the county and one of Dorset’s largest employers, Sunseeker continues its work with charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that resonates with its employees who have already raised donations approaching £100,000 during just two years. In addition, it continues its support of their annual Dorset Bike Ride which has raised over £1million since Sunseeker’s involvement began.

Most recently Sunseeker announced a long-term partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE), a charity dedicated to creating marine reserves around the world and improving biodiversity. With the future of healthy seas and oceans at risk, Sunseeker supports BLUE in its widest sense including a unique campaign titled ‘Project Menorca’ which will focus on the island’s marine environment. Working closely with BLUE, the new partnership will establish a recognised model of conservation, supported by local partners on the island including the Menorca Preservation Fund.

The Sunseeker range constantly sets new standards and benchmarks. From the majestic Superyacht and Yachts range, through to the luxurious Manhattan range, the iconic Predator models, dynamic Sports Yacht and the agile Performance range, each Sunseeker is the result of an uncompromising approach to innovative design and engineering excellence. Never settling for second best, it is this spirit of excellence that has driven Sunseeker to its pre-eminent position in the leisure marine industry today.

The current 20 boat range consists of:

Superyacht 50M Ocean, 42M Ocean, 131, 116

Yacht 100, 95, 90 Ocean, 88, 86, 76 Sport Yacht 74, 65 Predator 74, 60 EVO™, 55 EVO™, 50 Manhattan 68, 66, 55, 52

Performance Hawk 38