The internationally renowned Matadors are set to wow residents and visitors to Bournemouth hotels as they amaze and impress the Air Festival crowd.

Pilots Steve Jones and Paul Bonhomme are considered to be two of the best in the world and this annual event can expect an incredible display of flying.

Steve Jones said:

“After last years success there was a real buzz about Bournemouth on the air display circuit. We are incredibly pleased to be part of this Summer’s event and are ready to bring some Matador action to the south coast!”

The Matadors display, designed to demonstrate the truly remarkable performance of the Sukhoi 26, will show off a variety of formation patterns and extreme manoeuvres, such as ‘the crossovers.’

Jon Weaver, who is the Bournemouth Air Festival Director, said:

“We are delighted to announce The Matadors participation at the event, adding to our already impressive daytime line-up. The team only display at a few events each year so it is great news that Bournemouth is one of them.”

Bournemouth’s four-day event will take place between 20th – 23rd August and will have a wide range of displays including, The Eurofighter Typhoon, Team Guinot Wingwalkers and The Black Cats Helicopter Display Team.

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The free events will take place from June through until the end of August.

EVENT 1 – OPEN AIR CINEMA

Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens will become an ‘Open Air Cinema’ from June 19th – July 5th. The fantastic setting, boasting a 20 metre screen, will be showing a wide range of family favourites, including ‘Toy Story,’ ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Shrek.’

From 22nd June, this Bournemouth must-visit venue, will be showing the Wimbledon Championships. The venue creates the perfect setting for residents, visitors to Bournemouth hotels and people on lunch breaks to enjoy a picnic and soak up the unique atmosphere.

EVENT 2 – ‘FASHION WEEKEND’

The Bournemouth Summer Live’s ‘Fashion Weekend’ is taking place in Bournemouth Square between 26th and 28th July.

The event, in conjunction with local fashion houses and businesses, will demonstrate hair and make-up as well as having a fashion show on each of the three days.

EVENT 3 – BOURNEMOUTH AIR FESTIVAL 2009

The ever-popular Bournemouth event, by the sea and completely free, is this year going to be bigger and better than ever.

Bournemouth Air Festival will have more aircraft, more on the ground attractions for the whole family to enjoy and more ‘Night Air’ entertainment as this 4-day event promises to be better than ever.

The must-see event, sponsored by More Bus, takes place between Thursday 20th August and Sunday 23rd August.

This year’s festival will include:

- The regions premier event for the Fly Navy 100 Naval celebrations.
- Bournemouth will be receiving RFA Mounts Bay as well as the HMS Cattistock
- The Black Cats Helicopter Display Team
- Beach Assaults
- Demonstrations from the Royal Marines Commando Display Team
- Music from The Royal Marines in the award-winning Lower Gardens every evening.
- Three performances by The Red Arrows
- The RAF will be displaying the Chinook and The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- The world’s only formation wing walking team!
- Performances by the RAF Dog Presentation Team
- 1.5 miles of stalls, attractions and displays
- The Royal Navy Village
- A funfair, stalls and refreshments
- Firework display on Saturday night

Bournemouth’s Air Festival will also include ‘Night Air’ with entertainment sure to impress everyone.

Jon Weaver, who is the Air Festival Director, said:

“We are building our evening entertainment programme, and boosting the already brilliant day displays – we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Bournemouth this August.”

Roger Parker, who is Bournemouth’s Town Centre Manager, said:

“Along with the award-winning beach and town centre retail, the free Air Festival is another great reason to come and enjoy the UK’s leading resort!”

Photo Credit: Martin.B

Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole have both won four Blue Flag Awards for their golden beaches. In addition to this Bournemouth has also won a prestigious Quality Coast Award.

Between them the Dorset seaside resorts now have more blue flags than any other UK holiday destination.

The Blue Flag Award scheme is a prestigious scheme that acts as a guarantee for tourists that the beaches that they are visiting on holiday are safe and clean.

The South Coast now boasts a number of Blue Flag Award winning beaches including: Alum Chine beach, Durley Chine beach, Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne in Bournemouth and Sandbanks, Shore Road Canford Cliffs Chine and Branksome Chine in Poole.

Mark Smith, who is the Director of Bournemouth Tourism, said:

“Blue Flag Awards are a great achievement to receive each year and we’re very proud that our beaches are classed as some of the best in world. This year we have the addition of the Quality Coast Award for Bournemouth Pier which is awarded to beaches which are well managed, have good, clean facilities and EU standard bathing waters.”

Along with its Blue Flag Awards, Bournemouth also currently holds 10 Green Flag Awards for its parks and gardens, which means that the South Coast seaside resort now holds more awards than any other town in the UK.

As well as the golden beaches and relaxing parks, the water sports on offer to guests staying at Bournemouth hotels and locals alike, is unmatched anywhere in Europe and has established Dorset as a leading water sports destination. The South Coast now also boasts a wide range of water sports, an artificial surf reef and the world’s second largest natural harbour.

Photo Credit: Julio Martinez
Tagged: Accommodation, artificial surf reef, Beach, blue flag award, Bournemouth, Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth Gardens, Bournemouth Hotels, Dorset, hotel, hotel bournemouth, Hotels, resort, seaside, Southbourne, Things to do, Tourism, UK, visitors ]]> http://bournemouthhotelnews.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/four-blue-flags-for-dorset%e2%80%99s-beaches/feed/ 2 becky61081 bournemouth-beach http://bournemouthhotelnews.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/video-boscombe-beach-pods-interview-with-wayne-hemingway/ http://bournemouthhotelnews.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/video-boscombe-beach-pods-interview-with-wayne-hemingway/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 14:36:07 +0000 Mark http://bournemouthhotelnews.wordpress.com/?p=154 ]]> Great video featuring an interview with designer Wayne Hemingway about the new Boscome Beach Pods, which went on sale this month, the redevelopment of Boscombe Spa Village and the refurbishment of the Overstrand building.

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36 of the pods are available to purchase on a first come first served basis at an exclusive sales day taking place today (15th May) for the 400 people who pre-registered their interest.

The pods are divided into single, double and “pentapod” corner versions, with each pod being a piece of art in its own right in the form of a feature wall, using vintage, coastal artwork from the Hemingway’s personal collection.

On sale today Boscombe Beach Pods - "the best beach huts in the world!"

The luxury Pods, which are for day use only, feature mains electricity, hot and cold running water and French doors leading onto private balconies, over-looking the beach and Boscombe’s new artificial surf reef, which is anticipated to be completed this Autumn.

Top designers Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway MBE were responsible for the interior design of the pods and have obviously enjoyed working on the project so much that they have bought one for themselves.

Wayne is quoted by Bournemouth Tourism as saying; “Bringing this great building back to life and creating an opportunity for people to buy their own little seaside haven, complete with views to die for, and with access to a great beach, cool new restaurant and surf shop and surf school, has been great fun and a privilege. This really is a unique project and those of us who will have access to one of the Overstrand Pods will be fortunate souls indeed. I can’t wait to bring the family down to ours. The re-imagining of the Boscombe Overstrand will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the resurgence of Boscombe.”

Unlike the traditional beach huts in Bournemouth, the pods are situated within the Boscombe Overstrand complex. The 1950s Overstrand building was a neglected concrete and wooden post-modernist complex, which had been closed to the public for over a decade. Bringing it back into life, while keeping many of the original features and adding a modern twist, the Overstrand refurbishment takes the beach hut into the 21st century.

Talking to Bournemouth Tourism, Roger Brown, Director of Leisure Services said: “The pods fit the feel and look of Boscombe seafront perfectly. The £11million Regeneration project is turning Boscombe back into a holiday resort in its own right, with a unique identity. The successful opening of Urban Reef restaurant, Sorted Surf Shop, Reefside catering and the transformation of the seafront, Boscombe Pier, and Boscombe Chine Gardens combined with the construction of the surf reef is making this area the most innovative seafront for the beach pods.”

Prices for the new pods start at £64,995 inc. VAT for a single pod and £89,995 inc. VAT for a double. The pods are for day use only

For further information regarding the Beach Pods visit www.boscombeoverstrand.co.uk or contact:

Glynn Evans, Savills
122 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1LU
Tel: 01202 255552
Fax: 01202 41100

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The Norfolk Royale Hotel in Bournemouth is hosting a Wedding Fayre on Sunday 17th May 2009 from 11.00am – 4.00pm.

Potential brides are invited to go and have a look at the superb facilities as well as lots of exhibition stands for every aspect of Wedding Planning, in fact everything you could wish for, all under one roof!

There is also a Complimentary Glass of Bubbly for every Bride and Groom who attend the Wedding Fayre!

Not only is there an opportunity to enjoy the complimentary glass of bubbly but the Norfolk Royale Hotel is also promoting a special wedding exhibition offer! For further details see the website or call the sales office now on 01202 414 114.

If you are unable to attend the Wedding Fayre then why not go to the Bournemouth hotel over the next couple of months when they will also be hosting various wedding open days.

The open days will take place every other month on the following dates:

Sunday 17th May 2009 – Wedding Fayre

Saturday 25th July 2009

Saturday 12th September 2009

Saturday 14th November 2009

For further information or details on this event visit The Norfolk Royale Hotel’s website.

Construction of Bournemouth's artificial surf reef restarts

As we reported last month, New Zealand-based contractor ASR has returned to do more work on the artificial surf reef in Bournemouth.

Earlier this month ASR laid 20 five-tonne anchor blocks onto Boscombe seabed using a team of diving and marine construction experts.

The work has been done in preparation for the laying of the second layer of the surf reef which will be constructed in several sections, each deployed separately when weather and sea conditions permitt.

Subject to weather conditions, both residents and visitors to Bournemouth hotels should be riding the first waves on Europe’s first artificial surf reef by this autumn.

To see how the work is progressing, check out these aerial Photos of Bournemouth’s Artificial Surf Reef.

Photo Credit:Mark Cummins

Bournemouth beach

Blue Flag is a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that Bournemouth’s beaches are among the best in the world – both on the beach and in the water – great news for those planning Bournemouth breaks this year

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3200 beaches and marinas in 37 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean and is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Blue Flag award is administered in England, on behalf of FEE, by the ‘Keep Britain Tidy‘ campaign.

Blue Flags have been awarded to: Alum Chine beach, Durley Chine beach, Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne in Bournemouth and Sandbanks, Shore Road Canford Cliffs Chine and Branksome Chine in Poole.

In addition Bournemouth has also been presented with the impressive Quality Coast Award.

Mark Smith, Director of Bournemouth Tourism is quoted on the official tourism website as saying:

“Blue Flag Awards are a great achievement to receive each year and we’re very proud that our beaches are classed as some of the best in world. This year we have the addition of the Quality Coast Award for Bournemouth Pier which is awarded to beaches which are well managed, have good, clean facilities and EU standard bathing waters. These awards are down to the dedication and hard work of everyone who plays their part in the Seafront Team, keeping Bournemouth beaches maintained to the highest standards”.

According to ENCAMS, who run the Keep Britain Tidy campaign; “This year is officially one of the best on record for the quality of England’s beaches, offering a great opportunity to people looking for a low-cost, stress-free way of taking a break in the coming months”.

Bournemouth also holds 10 Green Flag awards for its parks and gardens which means, that with its Blue Flags, holds more awards than any other town in the UK.

Photo credit: JeDi58

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Savills will be holding a sale event for prospective buyers on 15 May.

The pods will come with mains electricity, hot and cold running water, kitchen units and French doors leading onto a small private balcony over looking the beach.

Thirty-one of the “pods” will be sold on a 25-year lease, with the remaining 17 reserved for casual hire from the council.

A Bournemouth Tourism spokeswoman said: “Each pod is a piece of art in its own right as it features a retro, coastal artwork from Wayne Hemingway’s personal collection, creating a unique feature wall.

“The kitsch artwork of each beach pod is repeated on the door plaques and key fobs.”

Those interested in purchasing a beach pod should contact Glynn Evans, Savills T: 01202 255552 E: gevans@savills.com

UPDATE (15 May 2009): Luxury Boscombe Beach Pods – On Sale Today!

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The Daily Mail online are this week reporting that two English seaside resorts will accept Euros in order to lure more visitors over the Summer months.

The south coast resorts of Bournemouth and Poole are to become more continental after agreeing to accept the euro in a bid to boost the tourism trade.

Visitors to Bournemouth hotels will be able to use the currency to pay for everything, ranging from ice creams and sticks of rock to deckchairs on Bournemouth beach.

Businesses in Dorset have signed up to a one-to-one exchange rate due to the falling value of the pound sterling in the current climate. It is hoped that the scheme will attract more foreign visitors to the area as well as appealing to British families unable to afford a foreign break.

Mark Smith, who is the tourism director for Bournemouth, said:

‘While it is obvious we’re all hoping for an early end to the economic crisis, the recovery may not come in time for the peak summer season. Just in case, we’ve teamed up with our colleagues in Poole to make summertime living even easier.’

Tourism officials have estimated that every leftover 20-euro note ‘lying idle’ in British homes could be put to good use. A 20 euro note would pay for a sunbed on Bournemouth beach for five days, fish and chips for a family of five on Poole’s Quay or 12 boxes of Dorset fudge.

This Summer, with many UK holiday makers likely to shun European countries, there will be an awful lot of unwanted euros sitting around in people’s pockets and sock drawers.

It is thought by a lot of tourism leaders on the South Coast that if accepting continental currency adds to unbeatable holiday value, then this could increase Bournemouth’s tourism trade during the holiday period.

So far over 20 businesses have signed up to the scheme including family run firms and some Bournemouth hotels.

It is hoped that accepting the euro could inject up to £10million into the local economy and businesses taking part in the initiative will accept only euro notes, giving change in pounds and pence.

Graham Richardson, who is Poole’s tourism director, said:

‘It’s a small start but we’re confident we can sign up lots more hotels and restaurants – every little helps.’