Summer tale of two cities at Ladies Day and Sunderland Airshow

Jul 27 2008 by Ruari O Toole, Sunday Sun

THOUSANDS flocked to two of the hottest events in the North’s social calendar yesterday, but they were world’s apart when it came to the weather.

Just like the well-dressed women at Newcastle’s Ladies’ Day, the sun really did have its hat on.

But while the ladies — and gents — basked in glorious sunshine and tropical heat at Newcastle Racecourse, Sunderland’s International Air Show — Europe’s biggest free air extravaganza — was swamped by heavy mist.

Temperatures soared at the races, with the sharply-dressed crowd sweltering as the heat reached 24C (75F).

But, at the seafront in Roker and Seaburn, where thousands arrived for a day of airborne thrills and spills, a heavy sea-fret rolled in and all flying displays were cancelled. The skies over Wearside remained grey and heavy . . . in stark contrast to the punters raising their glasses of bubbly to the blue skies at the Gosforth racecourse as they celebrated big wins on the horses.

At the airshow, plane enthusiast Robert Hardy, of South Shields, South Tyneside, said: “We can hear it, we just can’t see it!

“But it’s been a day out for me . . . it’s been good.”

Sunderland-born Phil Hopkins — squadron leader of 29 Squadron, Royal Air Force — was looking forward to seeing one of his pilots flying the hi-tech Eurofighter Typhoon over the crowds at Sunderland . . . but the display has been postponed until today.

He said: “I grew up here but never had the chance to see the air show.”

And he added: “It’s good to see so many enthusiasts out, despite the weather.”

A spokeswoman for Sunderland City Council said thousands of people had attended and that, even though air displays were cancelled, plenty of fun was had on the ground.

Excited crowds queued up to sit in the cockpits of RAF Hawk and Sea King aircraft, as well as enjoy the rest of the ground-based entertainment.

Meanwhile, the excitement was sky high for Ladies Day, with tens of thousands of pounds won and lost on the horses.

Cheers went up from the crowd as the winners crossed the line, and a riderless horse bolting down the field also drew just as much excitement from the sun-drenched racegoers.

With hen parties from all over the region enjoying themselves at the races, the Pimms and champagne were flowing freely . . . but the heat proved too much for a tired few, who chose to have a quiet sleep in the middle of the frivolity.

A better weather forecast for today should mean the Sunderland International Air Show — which celebrates its 20th birthday this weekend — finally takes off in style.

The RAF’s premier flying team, the Red Arrows, are scheduled to amaze the crowds with their spectacular manoeuvres.