>August Events / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Music / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk January 16, 2018
Final deadline approaching for discounted Early Bird tickets for The Great British Prom at Blickling
This is a final call for discounted tickets for The Great British Prom at Blickling on Saturday 11th August 2018; tickets available at £32.50 (£37.50 thereafter) until 31st January. Once again, The National Symphony Orchestra will be leading the musical programme and organisers of the event, which has become an absolute favourite in Norfolk’s outdoor concert programme, are delighted to announce the return of a Spitfire to the evening as the event will be celebrating 100 years of the RAF.
Today, Norfolk’s biggest RAF base at Marham in West Norfolk is one of the RAF’s largest and busiest, operating 3 Squadrons of Tornado GR4 aircraft in the attack and reconnaissance roles, as well as other key RAF units.
Organiser, Lisa Ward said: “There’s a huge, national respect for the RAF and Norfolk has played an important part in its history. The 2018 event is going to be very special; not just because we’re celebrating the RAF centenary, but also because we will be seeing the return of a Spitfire to the programme which is always incredibly emotional. This time, it will be the Rolls-Royce Spitfire, flown by one of the Rolls Royce test pilots, (subject to CAA approvals); we’re very excited about this addition to the 2018 programme and we will have another big announcement to make shortly – watch this space!”
The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the best-loved and widely recognised British aircraft of all time. The prototype Spitfire, K5054, first flew on 5th March 1936 powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin, the last of Sir Henry Royce’s engine concepts before his death. The Rolls-Royce Spitfire PS853, which will be appearing at Blickling, is an unarmed, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, one of a batch of 79 Mk XIXs built at Supermarine, Southampton. It has become widely recognised as an ambassador for Rolls-Royce appearing at air displays and charity events as well as at their corporate functions. Not only does it represent the heritage of the Spitfire and the Rolls-Royce engines that powered them, it honours the pilots of all nations who flew them and the men and women who built and maintained them.
The musical programme for the evening will be a fantastic celebration of “those magnificent men in their flying machines”. The National Symphony Orchestra, whose international reputation for excellence puts them in the top 4 orchestras in the UK, will be conducted by world-renowned Anthony Inglis, and music will include, William Walton’s “Spitfire Prelude and Fugue” and Eric Coates’s “Dambusters March”.
The evening will also be packed with performances of Proms favourites, including “Rule Britannia”, “Land of Hope & Glory” and British anthem “Jerusalem”, closing with a spectacular firework display over the lake choreographed to the music.
As well as having FREE parking (for both coaches and cars), guests can bring their picnics and champagne, wave their flags, sing along and soak up the atmosphere with friends in the outstanding Blickling park setting. Once again there will be a magnum of champagne on offer for the best fancy dress costume!
A limited number of early bird tickets are still available at a reduced price of £32.50 (£37.50 thereafter). For full event details and tickets visit www.greatbritishprom.co.uk or call the event box office on 01283 841601.
