Wirral | Archive | 2005 | June | 15
From the Wirral Globe, first published Wednesday 15th Jun 2005.
THE world's kite-flying talent was in Wirral at the weekend to show off their skills and were watched by more than 30,000 onlookers.
Kite flyers from around the globe, including Raymond de Graff, Edorado Barghetti and Michel Grossier were joined by a host of renowned British flyers including world champion stunt flyers Carl & James Robertshaw, Karl and Sarah Longbottom, Malcolm and Jeanette Goodman.
Included this year, for the very first time, was the 'Megabyte', a kite that at 64metres long and 22metres wide is one of the world's largest. The festival also featured free kite-making workshops.
Other family entertainment included Innerstate street theatre, Stilt walking and a steel band Circus Sensible, banner-making workshops, street theatre, Fishy Business a story-telling giant sperm whale and a teddy bear drop. There was also a fly-past by the Yakevlovs Aerobatics Display team as part of the river festival.
Co-organiser Phil Womack from Flying Circus said: "The guest flyers are hugely impressed with then dips at New Brighton as a kite-flying venue and have enjoyed flying in front of such a large appreciative crowd.
"This is fast becoming a major event in the kite-flying calendar and everyone is looking forward to returning next year."
The festival was held in the New Brighton 'Dips' on Saturday and Sunday and officially opened by Wirral's cultural ambassador, Mike McCartney.
The event was organised by Wirral council in conjunction with Lancashire-based kite display team Flying Circus and supported by Mersey Waterfront Regional Park. It was part of Wirral's contribution to the Mersey River Festival. It is also part-funded by European money from Merseyside's objective one programme.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008