Dover 2009 - Bleriot Centenary Celebration Takes Flight

Dover is set to come alive for the weekend of 25 - 26 July as it celebrates the hundredth anniversary of Louis Blériot's epic flight across the English Channel from Calais.

Dover District Council, with Cresting Ltd, the organisers of Dover 2009, has announced the line up for their weekend of celebration at a launch at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Dover.

Among the key events of the weekend of celebrations are an Air Pageant, with full supporting programme (including a historic re-enactment by Blériot XI aeroplanes, an Air Race being organised by the Royal Aero Club, and a flypast by the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows), the transformation of Dover's historic seafront with British, Anglo-French and Anglo-Italian themed events running throughout the weekend, with entertainments and artistes reflecting in particular the period of La Belle Epoch and Edwardian England, a programme of musical entertainment, including the Royal Air Force Halton Area Band, a series of static and air displays of historic and vintage aeroplanes, hosted at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Dover, and a Fireworks Spectacular across Dover Harbour which the whole town will be able to view.

The anniversary of Louis Blériot's historic flight across the English Channel is also being marked with a new sheet of collectable Royal Mail Stamp Sheets and a set of Commemorative Covers - The Blériot Collection.

Cllr Bernard Butcher, Chairman of Dover District Council, said:

"This is a fantastic event for Dover. The celebrations on 25 and 26 July will be an amazing experience for the thousands of people expected to attend and especially for the people of Dover. It is an event that commemorates a momentous occasion in the past, and by celebrating its centenary we are marking out the achievement of Louis Bleriot to future generations and keeping the story of his triumph alive.

"This event marks not just a key moment for air travel and engineering achievement, but a key moment in Anglo-French relations, as it removed the perception of the UK's isolation from Europe. The 2009 celebrations promise to be a superb occasion, and a fitting tribute to a man whose triumph not only marked a new chapter in aviation history, but in Anglo-European relations as well."

Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff, said:

"The RAF is delighted to be able to support this event, which marks a milestone in aviation history. Notwithstanding the huge technological changes that we have seen over the past 100 years, the spirit of Blériot and other aviation enthusiasts lives on today in the modern Royal Air Force. We salute these pioneers."

Further information about the celebrations can be found on the Dover 2009 website - www.Dover2009.com - which will also feature further details of additional events as they are confirmed over the coming weeks.