It’s all eyes skywards for a real aeronautical treat at the Minehead Summer Festival taking off on Wednesday 15 August.
A thunderous Hunter Fast Jet Display kicks off proceedings, followed by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – the RAF’s tribute to the brave aviators of WWII flying a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster. The legendary RAF Tucano Display team proudly show off their new 2012 patriotic colour scheme and the breathtaking Breitling Wing Walkers will have spectators gasping in amazement as will the close formation aerobatic RV8tors. The very popular Red Devils Parachute Display Team will be ‘dropping in’ and the Sea King crew will be landing on the seafront so people can look around the helicopter and chat to the crew.
Minehead itself will be buzzing with street entertainers, including magicians, musicians, unicyclists and Morris dancers. Arts & crafts and food stalls will line the streets. West Somerset Railway will be running an enhanced service on the day so that visitors can arrive by steam train too.
“In the current economic climate it is hard to find an event of this nature which is free to attend,” commented Tourism Officer Robert Downes. “We are sure it will be a big draw for the town.”
Visitors unfamiliar with Minehead will be able to pre-plan their visit and navigate around the town with the brand new free and interactive Minehead Town Guide App launched this month to coincide with the summer season.
As well as helping visitors to discover the shops, cafes and attractions of this popular seaside town, the app features fun heritage trails that highlight some of the town’s historical points of interest that may otherwise be missed. The famous Minehead ghost story of Mother Leaky a malevolent spirit who, it is said, whistles down the wind to bring shipping tragedies is hauntingly retold, and brings to life the atmospheric and picturesque old town and harbour.
Developed by West Somerset Council in conjunction with local businesses, the free app can be downloaded onto Apple or Google Android operated smartphones or tablets. “We have developed the app to help encourage visitors to really get to know Minehead, and give them the confidence to explore our town,” says Cllr David Sanders Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration & Tourism.
