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Organisers of the Guernsey Air Display have sought to reassure the public that this year’s event will go ahead, following uncertainty over Jersey's display.
Jersey’s end-of-summer event hangs in the balance after it was reported by Express that its organiser, Mike Higgins, announced that he was days away from cancelling this year’s event.
He said the difficult decision stems from the Jersey government changing the way it allocates its annual grant.
Mr Higgins told Express that he is still £75,000 away from the amount needed to fund the display. The deadline for sponsorship has since been extended, but there is still a very real possibility that the event will be cancelled.
Pictured: The 2021 Guernsey Air Display.
When asked if this situation could spill over to Guernsey, a spokesperson for the Guernsey Air Display Foundation said the two events are separately organised and separately funded.
“We would like to reassure the Guernsey community that, based on the information we have today, this year’s Guernsey Air Display will go ahead on 14 September,” a spokesperson said.
“The Guernsey and Jersey displays have always operated as two separate events with their own budget and funding models.
“Guernsey’s display has a grant of £5,000 from The States of Guernsey Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.
“The Committee for Economic Development underwrites the event up to £7,500.00, which is only used when insufficient private and corporate funding is available. This grant and underwrite account for just under 20% of the event budget.”
Pictured: The Red Arrows are a popular fixture at the Guernsey Air Display.
The rest of the funding is secured through donations from local businesses, individuals and through corporate sponsorship. Additionally, the Friends of the Guernsey Air Display help and fundraising events such as Meet the Pilots also support it.
“This has always been the funding model for the Guernsey display and demonstrates the importance of the support of the local community to ensure this much-loved event continues to take place,” said the spokesperson.
One example of a fundraising event is the upcoming screening of ‘Lancaster’, a documentary about the iconic Lancaster plane used during the Second World War and a popular staple of the Guernsey Air Display.
Lancaster Guernsey is a local fiduciary and investment company that is commemorating 80 years since the Dambusters Raid by screening the film, while also raising money for the Guernsey Air Display.
Paul Oliver, Group MD of Lancaster Guernsey, said: “We have supported the Guernsey Air Display for a number of years and this year are proud to extend our support to include this screening of 'Lancaster’.
“It is a remarkable documentary told through the incredible testimonies of those who flew and crewed the aircraft.”
All the funds from the ticket sales will go to the Guernsey Air Display and you can find out more information about the event ONLINE.
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