Giant screen: A new feature at this year’s Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival will be a giant 40 square metre LED screen on Royal Green. It will mean a new experience for visitors who will be able to see live broadcasts, public announcements, entertainment and advertisements. It is also hoped to show live pictures taken from the air while displays are taking place and a text messaging facility is also available for the public. Just text AIR 85010 during the two days of the airshow and your message will appear on the screen. The cost is just 50p a text.

Collectors: A total of 300 volunteers – 150 each day – will be collecting visitors’ donations over the two days of the Air Festival. This is a record number for the event and they represent more than 20 charity groups from a wide area including Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Halesworth, Beccles and Harleston as well as Rotary and Lions Club members and other charities from the Lowestoft area. Last year the commission they earned for their charities totalled just over £28,000.

Safety stewards: More than100 stewards, including many from all seven Norwich Rotary Clubs, will be deployed in addition to a full complement of emergency services including a large police presence, fire service, RNLI, Coastguard, the East Anglia Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance.

Wristbands: Parents who would like their children to have wristbands in case they become separated can obtain them free from stewards. The Coastguard has provided thousands of wristbands on which parents can write a mobile number so they can quickly be reunited with any lost children. A Lost Children station is located at the Claremont car park near the Claremont Pier.

High Tides: People who intend to arrive early and settle down on the beach for the day may like to note that high water times are 11.31am on Thursday August 12th and 12.16pm on Friday August 13th.

Vulcan Village: Fans of Avro Vulcan XH558 can find out more about the project to save this iconic aircraft by visiting the Vulcan Village located on Sensory Garden. Other seafront exhibitions include the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Army. The RAF site is on Royal Green and will include a Meet The Pilots marquee. Attractions also include a Red Arrows flight simulator.

Dogs advice: It is recommended that visitors to the seafront on the two days of the Air Festival do not bring their dogs. This is on the advice of the RSPCA who say that it can be distressing for an animal because of the crowds, aircraft noise, safety fears and hygiene reasons. Because of this advice and after making a risk assessment for the Park and Ride service organisers will not allow dogs to be taken on these buses.

No fireworks: Organisers regret that there will be no fireworks display this year. In previous years the fireworks display has been a big attraction on the first night but it has unfortunately had to be cancelled this year because of rising costs and the lack of sponsorship.

Airshow DVD: All the action from the flying displays at Lowestoft is being featured on a DVD produced by Planes TV. The DVD, costing £9.99 plus p&p, can be ordered at the Planes TV stand at the Claremont Pier. Commission from the sales will benefit the Air Festival. DVDs of the 2009 Lowestoft airshow are also on sale at the programme and merchandise booths.

Commentators: Tim Calloway, who has been the display commentator at Lowestoft Air Festival for the past 11 years, will be joined by guest commentators from local radio stations, Paul Carter from The Beach and Steve Springett from BBC Radio Suffolk. Presenter Lesley Dolphin will be broadcasting live from the Radio Suffolk base on the seafront on both afternoons from 1pm to 4pm.

Friends Area: Supporters who join the Friends of the Air Festival play a major part in financing the event and for the first time this year they will have their own exclusive area. This is located on the seafront Putting Green next to the Thatched Cottage Café. Access to this area will be granted only to those wearing a Friends 2010 badge. This year more than 500 people have joined the Friends, either as individual membership or family membership. Their subscription goes towards funding the flying display. Visitors attending this year’s Air Festival can join the Friends for next year by filling in the form in the official souvenir programme (£3.50) on sale at all the seafront programme and merchandise booths.

Air Festival Company: Since 2004 the Air Festival has been organised by an independent and voluntary support group who formed a charitable not-for-profit company, Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival Ltd, working in partnership with Waveney District Council – who previously organised the event – and local charities. The company has three unpaid directors, Paul Bayfield, managing director, Brian Hunter, director responsible for stewarding and volunteering support, and Barry Hartley, director responsible for media and public relations.

Website: The Air Festival’s own website (www.lowestoftairfestival.co.uk) gives all the information about the event and attracts more than 60,000 hits a year, with the majority of these coming in the few weeks before the event.

Information: Further information about the Air Festival, the Sunrise Coast and Britain’s most easterly town can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre. Call 01502 533600 or email: [email protected]