MINEHEAD’S biggest tourist event of the season – the August 10 Summer Festival air display starring the iconic Red Arrows – was abruptly cancelled this week after Butlin’s, which has bankrolled the £35,000 event for the past five years, pulled out.
But the Free Press has been told that the blow could be softened by the arrival of a spectacular new attraction in the next few weeks which could have crowds flocking to the town.
New legislation introduced after last August’s Shoreham Air Show crash, in which 11 people died, and rocketing insurance cover has forced Butlin’s to cancel the event which last year brought crowds of over 12,000.
“It’s not a decision we have taken lightly, nor is it one that we like having to make,” said Butlin’s Minehead resort director Julian Highfield.
“However, having assessed the new rules and taken everything into account, we felt we had no option.
“We understand that people will be disappointed but, hopefully, they will understand that safety has to be our first consideration.”
“None of us wanted to cancel the air show but we are working on something really spectacular which will bring people to the town this summer,” said Richard Lillis, former chairman of Minehead Events Group and director of last year’s Red Arrows day.
“It will be here much longer than the air show and, hopefully, will be a project jointly funded with Butlin’s."