The Red Arrows are set to put on a full display over Ryde and The Solent as part of the Isle of Wight’s Armed Forces Day on Sunday 30th June. The event, to be held at Eastern Gardens on the Esplanade, will mark 80 years since D-Day, as previously reported by Island Echo. It was previously thought that the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Display Team would not be gracing the skies above the Isle of Wight again in 2024. However, following an emotive pitch by Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day organiser, Ian Dore, Ryde Town Council has voted in favour of funding a Red Arrows display over the town. There are a number of logistical complications to overcome and some additional funding, perhaps through crowdfunding, will be required. But it is hoped that the contract can be signed within the next 4 weeks to secure the Reds’ presence in June. Ian, who spoke at Tuesday’s town council meeting, has said:
“When I took on Armed Forces Day, the team and I had some ambitions and this was at the top of the list. One year in and whammy, here we are. To have the Reds over Ryde streaming the red, white and blue, will be nothing short of stunning. “It was requested to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in which, Ryde and a number of brave Islanders played their part. It stems from careful negotiation and planning, dating back to September 2023. To be clear, this is not a fly past, this is a full display by the Royal Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.
“To have them is a massive tip of the hat for all that went over as part of Operation Overlord, still to this day, the biggest military operation of our time. There was only one team to do this justice and the Reds are ours, and the best in the world.”
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It’s thought that June will make the first time the Red Arrows have performed over Ryde specifically, having previously carried out displays in Cowes, Newport and Sandown. However, the Isle of Wight Festival nor the iconic Cowes Week celebrations are included in this year’s timetable. More information can be found at www.isleofwightarmedforcesday.co.uk.
