Air show built from scratch in a few short months

IT’S all systems go for the first Teignmouth air show.

Despite fears of a funding shortage when Teignbridge Council refused to financially back the event, the committee running the show say sponsorship has been forthcoming to ensure it goes ahead.

Fundraising has been continuing apace over the last few weeks.

A fun day at The Swan’s Nest in Exminster raised more than £300 and a collection at Morrison’s supermarket in Teignmouth collected £459.

The two-day show will kick off on Friday, July 5 with a tribute night in a marquee on The Den.

The main air show day will be on Saturday.

The confirmed flight schedule includes an RAF Typhoon, a twin-engine, multirole fighter; an RAF Spitfire, the famous British single-seat fighter aircraft; The Blades formation aero-acrobatic team; a Yak 3, a World War II Soviet fighter aircraft; and a Pitts Special, a single light aerobatic biplane.

Devon County Council has issued traffic orders for the seafront and town centre roads affected.

To finish off the weekend, the Crash Box and Classic Car Club will host a family fun day on July 7 from 10am.

Programmes for the event are now on sale throughout the town, and last Saturday local artist Laura Wall signed copies of the programme at The Lemon Tree in The Triangle.

A show spokesman said: ‘The committee would like to thank Laura who kindly offered her designs free of charge to support the event.

‘It is not too late for anyone to volunteer to help over the weekend. All help will be very much appreciated.

‘The committee has worked extremely hard to raise the funds and to organise Teignmouth’s first air show starting from scratch in only a few short months.

‘They very much hope that residents and visitors to the town will come and support their efforts by purchasing a souvenir programme and donate generously over the weekend in the many collection points on The Den.’

Due to the large number of visitors expected and the road closures in place around Teignmouth town centre, there are two separate event car parks for visitors to use with access to public transport at both locations.

These are at Morrison’s playing field and Warren Farm at Dawlish Warren, where it will cost £5 per vehicle all day and is open from 9am.

For more information go to the Facebook page or email [email protected].