Battle Of Britain organisers outside the Town Church at the start of the week’s events. Left to right, Rodney Clough, Alan Brunger, president of Guernsey branch of RAFA, and Karl Richards, MD of sponsor Clegg Gifford. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0635634)
BATTLE of Britain Week has officially begun.
Organisers and sponsors’ representatives met yesterday at the stand at the Town Church and are looking forward to the events.
Alan Brunger, air display organiser and president of the Royal Air Forces Association Guernsey branch, said it was an important event in the island’s calendar.
‘I think it is very important that we do it every year for many reasons,’ he said. ‘We need to remember the Battle of Britain in 1940 and pay gratitude to The Few who defended the country and therefore gave us the freedom that we have today.
‘We also need to remember the people who are currently fighting for the country.’
The air show starts at 11am on Thursday and will finish at 1.15pm. Parents who want their children to watch the show can take them out of school if they tell it in writing.
‘It’s good for the children to see the air show as it’s a good way to teach them about the past, especially about the Second World War,’ said Mr Brunger.
The money that is raised from the week will go towards the Battle of Britain Wings Appeal. This appeal helps the charity work that supports the families of the members of the RAF.
Mr Brunger said there was already a lot of interest in the show.
‘A lot of tourists come to Guernsey at this time especially to see the air show and it gives everyone an insight to the different aircraft.’
He said that he was very grateful to the Battle of Britain air display consortium for making sure the show went ahead because the association had fallen short of the £6,000 needed to put it on. The show will open with a team of four acrobatic aircraft and will close with the world famous Red Arrows.
Article posted on 9th September, 2008 - 11.30am
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