Well it was a shaky start – including a ‘doors open’ showing 8.00 on the ticket but actually occurring at 9.30, and a flying display which didn’t really get underway til 1.30…
However there was much to like about this display – OK the Vulcan/B-17 formation never materialised, but that’s no-one’s fault. The displays were imaginative and mixed in theme, and with a few tweaks I can see this show being a very pleasant day out on the calendar each year. I suspect it will be a lot quieter in future years, judging by the ‘post-Vulcan cancellation’ size of the crowd. But that’s a positive in my book.
The museum was also a big hit for me: mandatory to be open for future shows I hope! There were lots of interesting things to look at, big and small, and very approachable, friendly and helpful staff.
So to the ‘tweaks’:
1. PLEASE publicise a bit more on the website! I knew beforehand roughly what to expect, but there was no indication of when anything would start! Folks we spoke to had come from Cornwall and arrived for 8am, expecting to get in and have a much-needed coffee: they then faced an hour-and-a-half wait to get in, though no-one really seemed to know when the gates would in fact open!
2. Catering! More needed. I can’t vouch for the quality because I looked at the queues and gave up.
3. The PA needs to extend all the way down the crowd line: the talented Mr Hiscock was on the microphone, but I could only hear him when I ventured along to check out the queues for the food & drink! Still, I guess it meant that you could be informed while you were waiting.
But overall a lot to be proud of I think: I shall return!
Sign In
