Cotswold Show to mark 70th anniversary of the end of WWII with Spitfire display
The Cotswold Show and Food Festival today announced an exciting new addition to this year’s Show as they confirmed there will be an air display by the Rolls-Royce Supermarine Spitfire PS853 at the Show on 4th and 5th July.
Earl Bathurst, the Show’s Chairman and host to the Show in Cirencester Park says: “Cirencester Park was the base for two military hospitals during World War II and we thought it fitting to be able to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the war in some way. We’re very honoured to be showcasing one of the best#8208;loved and widely recognised British aircraft of all time.”
Officially retired into ceremonial and display duties in 1957, PS853 was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1996 after being operated for decades by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. So familiar and distinctive has it become in its current role that it is often simply referred to as ‘the Rolls-Royce Spitfire’.
PS853 is an unarmed, high#8208;altitude photo#8208;reconnaissance (PR) aircraft, one of a batch of 79 Mk XIXs built by Supermarine at Southampton, and was delivered in January 1945.
Originally powered by the 2,050hp Griffon 65 engine, it represents the pinnacle of the Spitfire’s development in terms of speed and altitude capability. PS853 has become widely known as an ambassador for Rolls#8208;Royce, and is often used to link our proud heritage with the technology of today, often flying in formation with modern aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce engines.
Not only does PS853 embody the heritage of the Spitfire and the Rolls-Royce engines that powered them, it honours the sacrifice and courage of the pilots of the
#65532;many nations that flew them and the men and women who built and maintained them.
Other attractions at the Show include Moto Stunts International – the only stunt team to include Cars, Quads and Motorcycles Park and The Scurry Driving Arena Challenge – carriage driving in miniature for a fast and furious spectacle of ponies, drivers and obstacles.
The Apsley Arena will once again be the centre of countryside pursuits including rare breed displays, Reedlands Retrievers gun dog demonstrations and a sheep shearing competition with new equipment versus traditional shears.
Children’s entertainments are plentiful with free circus skills lessons as well as a fun fair, donkey rides, a climbing wall, bouncy castles and lots more.
Dogs are welcome to the Show and even have their own activities including an agility course and a fun dog show which will be judged by TV Vet Joe Inglis.
The Show’s original ethos “where town meets country” is still adhered to 27 years on with masses to see and do for the whole family throughout the weekend, from clay shooting and archery, to new attractions such as the Mountain Bike stunt team Zero Gravity and the high speed Skyfall Zip Wire.
Tickets for the Show are on sale via the new website www.cotswoldshow.co.uk which is constantly being updated with attractions as they are confirmed.
Posted: 02/04/2015
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