Stunt helicopter show launches Hastings Pirate Day

Brendan, famous for his flying circus, landed Otto near Pelham beach to promote his spectacular stunt helicopter show performance, sponsored by Priory Meadow, which will be a highlight on Sunday, July 17.

Roger Crouch, the man behind Pirate Day, said: “Otto has recently come from the USA where it was a legend on the North American airshow circuit.

“The helicopter landed in a cloud of smoke and drew onlookers from all around.

“Otto then took to the skies and Brendan performed a few seconds of his show with smoke as a taster over the seafront.”

Brendan, himself a legend on the airshow circuit, said: “It was great to be in Hastings on Thursday. I can’t wait until I return for the Pirate Day show.”

Hastings Pier will be playing host to a wide range of pirate-themed activities and attractions, as well as the whole town next Sunday.

There will be a range of activities throughout the day on the pier, ranging from children’s pirate entertainment to music, pirate circus workshop, pirate choir, swashbuckling stunt action, drum groups, and pop-up pirate music.

There is also an opportunity for pirates to form the human image of the word Hastings on the pier, with the stunt being filmed from the air.

The Stade Open Space is also playing host to pirate-themed activities where The Jacks are setting up their own Caribbean village.

Events will also be taking place in Butler’s Gap, George Street, Pelham Beach, the town centre, Robertson Street and Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, which is organising activities in Queens Square.

Bands will be playing live music, including The Dolmen, as well as home-grown groups.

Roger came up with the idea of Pirate Day six years ago and organised an event that captured the imagination of the whole town and saw Hastings gaining an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the most pirates in one place.

A total of 6,166 pirates gathered on Pelham Beach during Old Town Week in 2010.

However, in June 2011, pesky pirates from Penzance took Hastings’ crown, packing in 8,734 people dressed as privateers, sea dogs and buccaneers on its prom.

But Hastings took back the world record in July 2012, when 14,231 pirates gathered on the beach.

For more information visit hastingspirateday.com.

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