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Issue:- 19 September 2013

Southport Air Show 2013
Photograph by Patrick Trollope.

THE Southport Air Show's flying programme is quite unique. It is the only UK air show where aircraft can land and take off in front of the public on a beach. The show usually draws around 80 thousand people, over the 2 days, to see the military displays, as well as a wide range of civilian and historic aircraft that perform in the skies above.

The 2013 show should have taken place over 14 September and 15 September, but sadly Sunday's events were called off because of a "Yellow Warning of Wind" being issued by the UK Met Office. Many questioned the prediction on the Saturday, as the wind was virtually nonexistent and for the most part Saturday was fairly warm with a blue sky. This prediction however proved to be valid, as overnight the weather changed quickly and on the following day, as forecast, the gale force westerly winds and heavy showers lashed the coast.

A spokesman for the organizers of the event on the Saturday said that:- "It is a shame, but safety has to be of paramount importance. The heavy rain and high winds that are forecasted for Sunday and Monday have left us with no option other than to call off the event."

This was the second time the organisers have had to cancel the show; the last time being back in 2010, when heavy rain flooded the already waterlogged beach.

For those who did attend the 2013 event, Saturday's show was extremely impressive. A few changes to the programme had been made, but it all went like clockwork in the eyes of of the public on the ground.

Sadly on Saturday parking was an issue, as much of the beach was again waterlogged and car parking places had to be reduced. That meant the remaining places filled up far more quickly than normal.  The waterlogged beach also affected the PA system, as the speakers could not be placed on the beach. The only other small glitch was with the WIFI, but that is nit picking.

The flying displays were fantastic and with good commentary on the brand new addition, Southport Air Show Radio, the loss of the PA on the beach and WIFI proved to be irrelevant.

We took huge amounts of shots and a few video clips of the action and we truly wish to say a very big "Well Done!" to all who ran this event, and in response to the few who challenged the decision to scrap the event on the Sunday, again, it was a "Good Call!" 

We hope to see this event return next year, as it is such a terrific draw for tourists and gives a very much needed boost to the local economy each year.

To see Part 1 of our photographic coverage, please click on here now. 

For details of refunds for people who booked tickets for Sunday, go to:- visitsouthport.com.

Please do not forget to tell us your views about this year's show via emailing newsroom:- news24@southportreporter.com.

Video footage and lots more photos will also be added in the next issue, so after checking out this weeks editions pictures from this event, do not forget to look our next issue!