Memorial on display to Red Arrows hero (From Bournemouth Echo)

Memorial on display to Red Arrows hero

12:00pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who died when his Red Arrow crashed last year

THE memorial to Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging will be on public display for all to see on the first day of the Bournemouth Air Festival tomorrow.

It will be lasting tribute to the ace flyer, who died when his Hawk aircraft came down near the airport at the end of the Saturday display last year.

The memorial on the East Cliff has been months in the planning and design and the process has involved Flt Lt Egging’s widow, Emma, former Red Arrows colleague, Flt Lt Ben Plank, the council and schoolchildren.

The festival kicks off tomorrow with four days of flying, ground displays, big name concerts and Night Air activities.

Organisers are expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors to what is the fifth year of the event.

Last minute tickets have been released for the Night at the Piers concerts as part of Bournemouth Air Festival .

They take place on Friday and Saturday night at Boscombe Pier.

Top names confirmed to play include Rizzle Kicks, Honey Ryder, Newton Faulkner and Amelia Lily on Friday and Scouting for Girls, Lawson, Matt Cardle, Ben Montague, Ryan O’Shaughnessy and The Loveable Rogues on Saturday.

Tickets are available for both nights and will be allocated on a first come first served basis, visit wave105.com/nightair for more information and purchasing.

Meanwhile families from Bournemouth and the surrounding area looking for free entertainment in the last week of the school holidays are being invited to join in the fun.

Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services Cllr Nicola Green said: “We know that families can really struggle to find affordable, fun entertainment for the children during the summer holidays, and that, as the weeks pass by, the money people have available to keep their children busy and entertained reduces.

She added: “The Air Festival really is completely free – dress for weather, bring a picnic, grab your spot on the beach and sit back and enjoy the show.”