Aviation village to be addition to Festival of Flight in August

Aviation village to be addition to Festival of Flight in August

10 July 2013

A MAJOR aviation village will be a new addition to the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight in Newcastle next month.

Rather than remaining limited to the air-based activities, Down Council have continued to develop the Festival which ‘takes off’ on Saturday, August 10.

Ann Moreland, the council’s Events Development Officer says it is important that we continue to develop and grow this event.

“This year we have the wonderful addition of an Aviation Village in Donard Car Park, so it will be a great attraction for the tens of thousands of visitors expected to arrive in Newcastle on the day,” she said.

“We have a great day in store for everyone and the many local businesses who have continued to support the festival will be making a big effort with great window displays and we can expect to see pilots, props and plenty of promotions on offer from U105 who will be hosting the festival stage entertainment with Maurice Jay and Julian Simmons.”

The RAF will be bringing a full scale Typhoon model to the event and visitors will have the opportunity to sit in the cockpit and see what it’s like to be a real aviator. The RAF Cadets will also be on hand to showcase their Hunter Cockpit and there will be a free climbing wall.

“As we are expecting the Avro Vulcan XH558 howling around the Mournes, we will also be welcoming their static display team who will have a wealth of information, memorabilia and of course some great gifts that can be bought as mementoes to bring home,” added Anne. “Our very own Ulster Aviation Society will be showing casing some of our aviation heritage from Northern Ireland straight from their collection located in their WWII hangar at Long Kesh/Maze.

“We will have plenty of vintage military vehicles and the entertaining ‘Wartime Living History Association’ who will no doubt be whizzing around in their jeeps and on parade on the prom, throughout the day. Always popular are the Ulster Model Aircraft Club from Nutts Corner.

“The acrobatic displays will be the most spectacular we have seen yet over the Mourne skies and we hope that visitors will come to Newcastle early in the morning as the Aviation Village will be open from 10am.

“U105 will be on stage from 12 Noon with great music, interviews and competitions to keep you all up to date with what’s happening. Following the air displays, the amazing Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute act aka brother and sister team JP Mac and Caroline Parker will take to the stage around 5pm for a cruise through his back catalogue of incredible hits.

There will be plenty of free park and ride available from the Northfield site, located on the Castlewellan Road, while on the approach from Kilkeel additional free park and walk will be signed for Shimna Integrated College via Kings Street. Donard Overflow Car Park will be accessed via Shan Slieve Drive as the Car Park will be hosting the Aviation Village. On the Dundrum Road free park and walk will be available, so pick up the AA road signs and watch the traffic messaging as you approach.

Information on the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight is available at www.downdc.gov.uk. Follow www.facebook/DownFestivals.com and twitter @DownFestival. Contact our Festival Office on 028 4372 2222.