Throughout the weekend of 25-26 July 2009, Dover will host a prestigious international festival in celebration of Blériot’s achievement in becoming the first person to fly across the Channel, and to commemorate the pioneering age of aviation.

The weekend, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the first hovercraft crossing of the English Channel between Calais and Dover by Sir Christopher Cockerell, aims to be an event for all the family to enjoy.

Among the attractions on show will be:

• A historic recreation of Blériot’s flight across the English Channel by the distinguished Swedish pilot, Mikael Carlson, flying one of his two Blériot XI aeroplanes.
• A procession of aeroplanes flying from Calais to Dover that will form part of an Air Pageant commemorating 100 years of aviation.
• Participation by the Royal Air Force featuring, amongst others, the famous Red Arrows.
• The transformation of the Seafront, which will be home to a number of Anglo-French and Anglo-Italian themed activities.
• A firework spectacular across the harbour on the Saturday evening, courtesy of Standard Fireworks.

Dover District Council’s Leader, Cllr Paul Watkins said: “This will be a truly memorable event that will play an important part in our continuing efforts to showcase Dover, its world class heritage, its town and its port. Dover 2009 will be an occasion for local people and also visitors from far and wide to experience the rich culture and heritage of Dover, the warmth of its hospitality, its proud history with France, its long association with the Armed Forces and its role as one of Europe’s busiest gateways. We hope that everyone will join in to make Dover 2009 a memorable event.”

To make Dover 2009 a truly international event Dover District Council is working closely with colleagues in the Communauté d’Agglomération du Calaisis (CAC) to ensure that the centenary celebrations are a prestigious showcase for Dover and Calais.

Monsieur Philippe Blet, President of the CAC said: “The centenary of Louis Blériot’s epic flight across La Manche, and the exciting plans now being developed, herald a new phase of cooperation between Calais and Dover especially as we look forward together to London 2012 and the opportunities for sustained economic growth.”
Further information about the celebrations can be found on the official Dover 2009 website – www.dover2009.com – which will also feature details of new events as they are confirmed over the coming months.

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Leading philatelic specialists Buckingham Covers are working officially with Cresting Ltd, official event organizers of Dover2009, to produce this superb souvenir of the celebrations taking place over the weekend of the 25^th and 26^th July.

Paul Tipple, Chairman of Cresting Ltd, says of the Bleriot Collection:

“These are the most unique set of aviation collectables you’ll ever see.  Both the Commemorative Covers and the Stamp Sheet are impressive in terms both of their quality, authenticity and design, and reflect the exceptional professionalism of the design-award team at Buckingham Covers”

The A4-sized collectable Stamp Sheet features an image of the Blériot XI aeroplane flying over Dover Castle recreating the historic 100th anniversary flight taking place on the 25th July.  The Stamp Sheet features ten stamps depicting the images of those Blériot XI aeroplanes actually taking part in the centenary celebrations.

In addition, there is a set of three very distinctive and highly collectable Commemorative Covers.  The first is the official souvenir, featuring an image of the Blériot XI aeroplane belonging to the famous Shuttleworth Collection, includes a stamp and label from the Stamp Sheet and postmarked in Dover on the 25^th July 2009.

The second Commemorative Cover in the collection features a stamp and label from the Stamp Sheet plus a genuine French stamp. The cover will be postmarked in both Dover and Calais.

The final Cover in the Blériot Collection is a Commemorative Coin Cover. Featuring an image of a Blériot XI aeroplane, this cover will include a stamp and label from the Stamp Sheet and will be postmarked in Dover on 25th July. It will also contain a genuine 1909 penny coin.

Among the many events taking place over the Blériot Centenary weekend, will be a historic recreation of Blériot’s flight across the English Channel by the distinguished Swedish pilot, Mikael Carlson, flying one of his two Blériot XI aeroplanes, courtesy of Shell Aviation; by Henk van Hoorn flying with the support of the Dutch Early Birds Foundation; and the third by a member of the Salis family in France.  The Blériot pilots taking part in the celebrations will be signing a small number of the covers and sheets and some of the money raised through signed copies will be donated to the Help for Heroes charity.

The Blériot Collection Centenary Stamp Sheet Presentation Pack is £26.95 or £34.95 if signed by one of the Blériot pilots.  The Official Souvenir Cover with single stamp from our Stamp Sheet is £7.95 (or £14.95 if signed).  The Cover with UK and French postmarks is £14.95 (or £24.95 if signed) and the Commemorative Coin Cover is £14.95 (or £24.95 for the signed version).

Collectors can have their Stamp Sheets mounted ready to frame to fit in a standard 11” x 14” frame for an additional £5.00.

These highly collectable and desirable souvenirs are available through the Dover2009 website at www.dover2009.com or directly from Buckingham Covers on 01303 278 137, online at www.buckinghamcovers.com or by post to Buckingham Covers, Warren House, Shearway Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4BF.

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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, and highlights including:
  • A historic re-enactment by Blériot XI aeroplanes
  • An Air Race being organised by the Royal Aero Club
  • 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
• 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.

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A programme of events in Kent and Pas-de-Calais is aiming to celebrate the centenary of the first cross-Channel flight by Louis Blériot and bring residents from the two regions closer together.

The Channel Hop programme is a partnership project between Kent County Council (KCC) and the Pas-de-Calais Conseil Général. It includes events in both regions, so residents can experience each others’ cultures and develop new friendships.

In Kent, the KCC-led events will include discovery trails for French and English school children, art exhibitions and guided walks. Other organisations are also holding events to celebrate the centenary. These events include Margate’s Big Event in June, organised by Thanet District Council and a spectacular air show and firework display in Dover in July, organised by Dover District Council.

A dedicated Channel Hop website (link opens in a new window) has been set up to bring details about the events together in one place and it also has information about the history of the regions and historical images.

Myriam Caron, Channel Hop Project Manager for Kent County Council said:”The Channel Hop project is about helping Kent and Pas-de-Calais residents make the most of the events going on this year and develop the existing friendship.

“The centenary of Blériot’s flight across the Channel is a great opportunity for us to hop across and enjoy both regions.”

Apart from the Channel Tunnel link, the two regions are connected by strong business links, 22 twinned towns and villages and a treaty of friendship between Kent County Council and the Pas-de-Calais Conseil Général.

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