Much of the work in the weeks before the Airshow is ensuring that all of our traders, caterers and exhibitors have sent in all their licences, risk assessments and insurances so that we can submit them all to the Licensing Department at East Lothian Council, and also making sure all the staff and volunteers are briefed fully on event security and safety plans, and information that the visitors will need on the day. I’ve been working with the Rotary Clubs of Tranent, Longniddry, Haddington and North Berwick to provide an invaluable wristband identification service for children. I’m continuing to talk to suppliers and sponsors: Wisemans are giving us juice and milk for all our cadets and a loan of fridges for the packed lunches – we would not know what to do without them!
The official Airshow programme detailing the line-up is being finalised and we work with the Flight Director to source and choose appropriate images, aircraft history specifications and interesting facts from the pilots themselves. Businesses in the local community, charities, the RAF and National Museums Scotland also contribute written pieces and take advertising space.
Discussions have taken place with East Coast FM for the on ground entertainment announcements and background on all the entertainers. For the flight display in the afternoon, we have a dedicated commentator and Red 10 will commentate specially for the Red Arrows display. The Prentice Coaches timetable for the free shuttle bus from North Berwick Station and also Haddington town centre are all in place. Additionally, transportation has been confirmed for all the pilots who are going to be available for the meet-and-greets in front of the Flight Director’s Event Tower in the afternoon.
On the ground entertainment interviews have also been arranged with Jamie Squibb, Aviatricks, Musical Youth and Encore and Tony Yule, the former Concorde pilot. Tony will be helping with the meeting and greeting of the 100 Radio Forth Prize-winners at their VIP Buffet breakfast with Boogie and Dingo from Radio Forth.
If visitors are feeling peckish there will be a wide choice of Airshow culinary delights to choose from, this year we have catering provided by our on site Aviator Café plus:
- Ashers Ice Cream
- Cafe2U – coffee vans
- Decadent Delights – home and handmade cream and butter fudges
- Grants Ice Cream
- MoBoJos – new! from their highly praised Café at Rosslyn Chapel
- S Luca Of Musselburgh
- Sweet City
- Hot Dog King
- Berries and Cream
- Tasty Kitchen – fast food
- The Good Food Shop – home-made pies and bridies
- The New American Donut Company
- Waterloo Bistro – Bar and BBQ
- West Coast Kettle Corn – new! popcorn
- Well Hung and Tender
- Twirly Tatties – new!
We are also been greatly assisted again by the lovely team of volunteer ladies who come and help us every year ensuring the emergency services personnel, staff and volunteers are kept topped up with tea, coffee and biscuits in the Crew Room area – this is crucial on the day and without this service we would be lost!
Plotting and marking out all the site and car park areas in anticipation for the thousands of visitors is well underway and there’s only one more meeting to go with the Emergency Planning Team. We have also been busy putting up banners, posters and leaflets and tidying up our aircraft and hangars and exhibition areas to welcome all the visitors. Finally, passes and packs for exhibitors and participants will be posted in couple of weeks… and then it’s nearly all over. Time to sleep maybe, but not just yet
Take a look at some of the fantastic images on the air display and on the ground activity that were taken of Scotland’s National Airshow in our Flickr Group.