Top flight airshow draws thousands
Last updated at 16:47, Monday, 26 July 2010
AERIAL display teams left thousands of people awestruck at the 10th Windermere airshow.
The show had failed to take off on Saturday when rain grounded all the planes, leaving a crowd of 5,000 strong staring at clouds and fog.
But the sun finally shone yesterday allowing the day’s 15,000 visitors – twice as many as last year – to watch aerial display teams rushing above their heads.
The Aerostars display team flew a coordinated show, which included a love heart painted in the sky with white smoke while the Breitling Wingwalkers hung upside down as they flew across the sky.
The iconic Spitfire plane also made a pass over Windermere.
The show is organised by Windermere Rotary Club. Rotary club member and airshow director David Thomas yesterday said: “Today has been just a wonderful day.
“The weather has been kind to us.
“It was a bit disappointing when it rained yesterday as no planes were able to take off because of the cloud, but we didn't have any complaints.
“People understood why they couldn't display. But everyone has enjoyed themselves today.”
Families were able to enjoy a host of fun activities on the ground, which included fairground attractions and shoot paintball guns.
There was also a bird of prey display with live birds sitting in the Glebe, a civil war reenactment group fired an ancient canon and visitors were allowed to sit in a battle Huey helicopter, which saw action in the Vietnam War.
There was also a visit from a North West Air Ambulance helicopter.
Visitor for the second time Majorie Wilkinson, travelled from her Ulverston home to Sunday’s events.
She said: “It is amazing, I came last year too because it is a great day out.
“There is lots to do and I love watching the planes, the pilots are very skilled.”
The world famous Red Arrows display team were set to make an appearance but their performance was called off at the last minute.
The two-day event is expected to have raised £40,000 for Rotary Club charities.
The Rotary Club gives money to various charities but is focusing its efforts on St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston, and the national Shelterbox charity.
Shelterbox delivers specialised tents to natural disasters to house refugees.
First published at 13:04, Monday, 26 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
