The B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight has once again soared to its great expectations by drawing an enormous crowd to Newcastle.
This annual summer festival now in its fifth year is one of Northern Ireland’s premier seasonal attractions and it just gets better each year.
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Thumbs up! Down District Council chairman Councillor Billy Walker in the cockpit of a spitfire during the 2014 B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight.[/caption]
Down District Council Chairman Councillor William Walker speaking at the event on Saturday said: “This event have grown dramatically over the past number of years and I am delighted that it continues to draw crowds to the beautiful seaside resort of Newcastle. This year the line up of aircraft exceeded all expectations and was certainly the best to date.
“I would personally like to thank all the statutory, voluntary and community agencies who have ben working tirelessly in the background to ensure the event took place. It is important as a Council the we invest in flagship events that continue to bring economic benefits to the district and I hope this major event develops and grows for many years to come.
“We are very grateful to our headline sponsors B/E Aerospace for their great support and I hope we can build on this relationship in the future. I would also like to thank the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for their sponsorship as this event is a real opportunity to showcase the beauty of Destination Mourne as a must see and visit area.
“Furthermore, I would like to show my appreciation to Eclipse Cinema, Stena Line and Translink for their in-kind and financial support. Lasty and by no means least, I am very grateful for the financial contribution of the local traders.”
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Carmel O’Boyle Praises Festival Of Flight
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The Red Arrows in action over Newcastle.[/caption]
Newcastle Councillor Carmel O’Boyle said: “This is my last year being involved in the event, but I was instrumental in helping to bring it to Newcastle in the first place.
‘This was the best and most successful weekend since the Festival of Flight first began five years ago. It is an event that is now firmly established on our calendar, and provides us with the most wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful town. I am proud to have always been associated with this unique event. Next in Newcastle we will be celebrating Hallowtides in October, The Festival of Light at Christmas and The Irish Open in May 2015. My thanks to the Newcastle Chamber of COmmerce for their vision and their support of our Council efforts.”
FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT PHOTOS ON THIS LINK
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Laura Devlin Commends Organisation Of Festival Of Flight
Local SDLP Councillor Laura Devlin said: “This was my first Festival of Flight as a Councillor for Newcastle and to say it was an honour would be an understatement. On Friday we had concerns about the weather but thankfully it came good and we couldn’t have wished for any better on Saturday.
“From the Launch in The Slieve Donard first thing until the entertainment ended, the event was a huge success.
“I wish to put on record my wholehearted thanks to the Officers of the Council and the sponsors for an amazing family day out. I want to particularly praise the Cleansing Staff of the Council – they were extremely attentive and many visitors passed on their positive comments. Newcastle was at its best with the sun shining and the streets packed – it’ll be tough to beat this one next year!”
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Patrick Clarke Delighted With Red Arrows Performance
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Flight aircrew from the Newcastle Toy and Joke Shop get into the spirit of the day.[/caption]
Councillor Patrick Clarke, Alliance Party, has praised the resounding tourism success of the Festival of Flight air show which took place in Newcastle on Saturday 9 August. Tens of thousands of people packed the entire Main Street, Promenade and Harbour areas to view the various aircraft displays and the return of the Red Arrows. Cllr Clarke said: “Many tens of thousands of people watched the stunning aerobatics of the Red Arrows as they performed in Newcastle on Saturday 9 August. It was great to see the Red Arrows flying across the skies above Newcastle as part of the Summer Festival of Flight Festival.
“The unprecedented crowds which the various aircraft displays and the Red Arrows attracted to Newcastle this year were absolutely phenomenal and the spectacular air displays were breath-taking and could be seen for miles along the coast. “With the Red Arrows display, the Summer Festival of Flight is now without doubt one of the major tourism successes for Newcastle and Down District. The Festival of Flight is now becoming one of Ireland’s leading and premier major annual aircraft display shows.
“No doubt the booking of the Red Arrows, as well as the other aircraft displays including the Lancaster, Irish Air Corps, Typhoon, Vampire and Vulcan to name a few have truly made the Festival of Flight such an exciting, dynamic and successful annual family event in Newcastle.
“I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate all those involved who contributed to the organising and planning of the Festival of Flight in Newcastle as well as the entire staff of Down District Council, volunteers and all emergency services who made the event run very smoothly and professionally.”
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