Red Devils join Red Arrows at Minehead Summer Festival
Wednesday 14 July 2010
The Red Devils, the famous official team of the Parachute Regiment and the British Army, is joining the renowned Red Arrows aerial display team in a spectacular event organised by Butlins and supported by West Somerset Council.
The two world-class teams are headlining the new Minehead Summer Festival on Wednesday, August 11. It is the first time either team has visited the town.
Julian Highfield, Resort Director at Butlins Minehead, said: "I'm thrilled that Butlins has been able to bring two display teams of international calibre to Minehead. Our aim is to give families a great day to enjoy and remember for years to come.”
West Somerset Council is organising entertainment along the seafront at Warren Road, which will be closed to traffic for the day. As well as a wide variety of stalls and street entertainment, there will be a bouncy castle, trampolines and plenty of things to see and do. There will also be entertainment and activities at key places along The Avenue.
On the seafront, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will be demonstrating how they help tackle the aftermath of traffic accidents. The team is staging an exciting display that shows how they use heavy-duty equipment to take apart a car to free people from vehicles in emergency situations.
The line up for the day is:
- 12 noon – Entertainment throughout the town
- 1.30pm – The Red Devils make a fabulous entrance, dropping from the skies
- 2.15pm - On the seafront the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service demonstrate how they rescue people trapped in vehicles after road traffic accidents
- 3pm – The Red Arrows provide a spectacular aerial display
Cllr David Sanders, Lead Member for Economic Development and Tourism, said: “Butlins is staging such an excellent event for visitors and local people to enjoy. To bring two internationally renowned teams to Minehead is a real coup.”
Editors' notes: Please find attached a jpeg of the Red Devils. Please contact me if you would like any further images of the Red Devils or Red Arrows.
THE RED DEVILS
- The Red Devils’ is the official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment and The British Army. The team’s members are widely regarded as among the best display parachutists in the world
- Every member of the 25-man team is a serving paratrooper from the army’s elite Parachute Regiment – with each having seen active service in either The Falklands, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and/or Iraq
- Formed in 1964, the Red Devils carry out more than 100 spectacular parachute displays each year at public events worldwide promoting the Parachute Regiment and the British Army
- In addition to displays, the Red Devils also helped to raise over £500,000 for charity last year by carrying out tandem skydives with members of the public
- The Red Devils are self-funded and are currently seeking sponsorship for 2010: for more information contact Danny Kelly on: 07809696004 or e-mail: pr@reddevilsonline.com
RED ARROWS
The Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world as ambassadors for both the Royal Air Force and the United Kingdom. Since the team was officially formed in 1965, the Red Arrows have completed over 4,000 displays in 53 countries.
The Red Arrows’ reputation is built on the commitment and professionalism, combined with Royal Air Force skills, training and equipment. Many of the Red Arrows’ pilots and support staff have recently returned from Afghanistan and Iraq and many will be temporarily detached on operations overseas during their time with the Red Arrows. They are proud to represent the values and professionalism of the Royal Air Force.
BUTLINS
Prices start from £108 pp per break based on a family of four sharing a Silver self-catering apartment during the school summer holidays. To book the break call 0870 145 0045 or visit www.butlins.com (The maximum call charge is 2p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary)
For more information contact:
Stacey Beaumont
Media, PR & Communications
sbeaumont@westsomerset.gov.uk
01984 635285