The man behind Ayr’s new-look ‘Ayr Show’ hopes the aviation spectacle can become the largest public event in Scotland.
Planning is fast underway for The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight, set for September this year, in which Ayrshire residents and visitors alike can expect a jam-packed weekend full of aviation fun and more.
Friday, September 8 will kick start the festivities, with Saturday (September 9) earmarked for the main event where aircraft will take to the skies above Ayr’s Low Green to wow crowds during a four hour flying display - the culmination of which will end in the iconic Red Arrows.
Joining the The Royal Air Force Aerobatic team in the skies will be a Typhoon jet and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight amongst many others.
Les Garside-Beattie OBE, who was announced earlier this year as the Flying Display Director for the big event, said he’s “really looking forward” to the “showcase for Ayr.”
A former team manager of the Red Arrows, Les brings four decades of experience in the aerospace and defence industries - 36 of which are in the display environment and 31 in the air force.
He said: “We want it to become the largest public event in Scotland, based around an exciting family fun weekend.
“It’s not just one day or one afternoon, it’s a weekend event.
“Friday evening will see a ‘night display with a wow factor’. Saturday will be the main flying display and there’ll be a funfair on the Low Green and market traders.
“But the show is not just on the Low Green as there’s other venues that are going to be used during the weekend, promoting different activities, so it’s a showcase for Ayr.
“This is our show - and I make no apologies for using ‘our’ - it’s all of our event and we all have a part to play. Volunteers, sponsors, traffic, emergency services, the airport, the display participants and the media have all got parts to play.
“We will create a stimulating, enjoyable and fun environment, but it’s going to be safe - inspiring and safe.”
Les, who admits he still “lives and breathes the Red Arrows” some 30 years on since being in the team, said he is excited to continue to develop the new-look Ayr Show as South Ayrshire Council pledge their commitment to a five year plan for the event.
He said: “I think it’s important we don’t see this as a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ event - it’s not, it’s five years and more.
“We want it to become a fixture in the local calendar.
“I’m looking forward to helping develop a long-term event. There’s an awful lot of effort happened already - and there’s an awful lot more effort going to be put in to making the thing work - but there’s nothing worse than having something be packed up for keeps the day after you’ve delivered.
“And I think that’s what excites me is being able to support the confidence that the council have placed in the organisation to run a show, not for just this year but for at least five years."
Les added that Ayr is already being hyped up to deliver a stellar aviation exhibition as other air shows across Europe earmark the town's event.
He said: “I’ve been to three display events over the last two months, in Europe and in England, and all of them have talked about Ayr being on the calendar, which is great.”
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