Windermere Air Show
Yet again the Red Arrows thrilled thousands of spectators at the 7th Windermere Airshow. The Glebe and waterfront thronged with spectators for the annual RAF spectacular over the Lake on 28th and 29thJuly.
For weeks beforehand there had been few dry days but then the sun shone. This year there was a deliberate shift to increase family entertainment alongside the flying displays. The crowd enjoyed several bands and street style entertainment along with train rides, falconry, dog and ju-jitsu displays plus Taylor’s Fair and a flight simulator, a climbing wall, bouncy slide and more. The extra fun was so well received that Rotary say they will much expand the ground entertainment next year.
The Rotary Club of Windermere organise the whole event and their President, Bill McCormack told The Hub that "this week-end has become a regular feature of the tourist calendar and we were all so lucky to get two consecutive days of great weather once again" He also reported that "record crowds attended and were as generous as ever in their donations towards selected charities".
Rotary’s main beneficiaries are the North West Branch of Diabetes UK and The Great North West Air Ambulance, which attended the Show, then left for an incident before returning later.
Rotary encourages all other local charities to attend and provides a marquee for their fundraising which regularly raises several thousand pounds for their causes.
A backbone to the event is provided by about 140 local business sponsors, all of whom are mentioned in the programme and elsewhere including Rotary’s website
Photos of the flying displays appear on their website. Check out Radio Cumbria's site for many excellent shots.
Whilst the 20 minute Red Arrows spectacle is the biggest attraction, the Eurofighter Typhoon could have stolen the show with its aerobatics combined with sheer power - a real treat alongside the other aircraft and helicopters.
Roll on Summer 2008
The Mayor of Windermere, Viv Bell, attended the show and said: "I love the Airshow. It is a major attraction for the area and it seems to get better every year. The amount of organisation that goes into it is enormous, but it is definitely worthwhile. The Red Arrows were amazing, as always, but I was particularly impressed with the Eurofighter; I gather we were privileged to see it so soon."
