What a weekend it was for R & J PA Hire. Our PA Hire Withernsea and Driffield double-header saw us provide professional sound systems for two major East Yorkshire events taking place simultaneously: Blue Light Weekend and Driffield Steam Fair. With extensive speaker systems, two radio links and almost two miles of speaker cable in use, it was one of our busiest weekends of the year.
Supporting one large outdoor event requires careful planning, reliable equipment and plenty of preparation. Supplying professional public address systems at two separate two-day events on the same weekend takes that challenge to another level. Our team had a substantial amount of equipment working across both locations, including multiple loudspeaker systems, amplifiers, microphones, radio links and almost two miles of speaker cable.
Thankfully, the East Yorkshire weather was on our side. With plenty of sunshine throughout the weekend, both events attracted visitors who were able to enjoy the displays, entertainment and atmosphere in excellent conditions.
Wide-area PA coverage at Blue Light Weekend in Withernsea
Blue Light Weekend took place across Withernsea seafront, with activities spread between several different areas. The popular free community event celebrates and raises awareness of the emergency services, lifesaving organisations and military veterans. Its programme included emergency service demonstrations, air and sea displays, live entertainment and family activities.
At an event covering a long and varied coastal site, clear sound is about much more than simply making commentary louder. Visitors move between different attractions, gardens, display areas and sections of the promenade, so announcements need to reach the right places at the right time.
R & J PA Hire supplied a distributed outdoor PA system designed to provide clear coverage across the required public areas. This allowed organisers to share programme information, general announcements and important messages with visitors throughout the weekend.
We also installed two radio links to send the PA audio into additional areas where sound coverage was required. These links allowed announcements from the main system to be transmitted wirelessly to remote loudspeaker positions without the need to run impractically long audio cables through every part of the public site.
This type of radio-linked PA system is particularly useful for seafront events, agricultural shows, rallies, sporting events and large community festivals. It can help extend announcements into separate zones, across access routes or beyond obstacles where a conventional cable run may be difficult. Every site is different, so the system has to be planned around the layout, audience areas and the information organisers need to communicate.
You can also read more about our previous planning and PA provision for Blue Light Weekend in Withernsea.
Professional event sound at Driffield Steam Fair
At the same time, another large R & J PA Hire system was operating at Driffield Steam Fair, held at Driffield Showground. The two-day event brought together an impressive collection of steam engines, vintage and classic vehicles, tractors, stationary engines, motorcycles, military vehicles and traditional attractions.
Events of this size present their own sound challenges. A showground is a large open environment, visitors are continually moving around, and the background noise from engines, displays and crowds can vary considerably during the day. A successful outdoor PA system must provide intelligible speech across the intended listening areas without relying on one excessively loud central speaker.
Our distributed speaker layout helped carry commentary, arena information and public announcements around the event. By positioning loudspeakers at planned points and using suitable cable routes, the system could provide more consistent coverage across the showground.
Distributed sound is often the best solution for steam rallies, agricultural shows, horse events and vehicle displays because it places the sound closer to the audience. This improves clarity and can reduce the large differences in volume that people experience when a whole site is covered from only one position.
Almost two miles of speaker cable across two events
One of the figures that best shows the scale of the weekend is the amount of cable involved. Across Blue Light Weekend and Driffield Steam Fair, we used almost two miles of speaker cable.
That cable connected the amplifiers and control equipment to speaker positions across both sites. Before the public arrived, every run had to be installed carefully, connected, checked and tested. Cable routes also had to be planned with the site layout and public areas in mind.
Once an event finishes, the entire process happens in reverse: systems are shut down safely, cables are collected and checked, speakers and poles are dismantled, and the equipment is packed ready for transport. The part visitors see is the finished system, but a significant amount of work takes place before the first announcement and after the final visitor has left.
Why reliable PA systems matter at public events
A professional PA system supports both the visitor experience and the smooth running of an event. At a busy public gathering, organisers may need to communicate:
- Timetable and programme updates
- Commentary and display information
- Directions to attractions and facilities
- Lost-property or lost-child messages
- Changes caused by weather or operational issues
- Safety information and urgent public announcements
The equipment must be appropriate for the size, shape and noise level of the venue. A small community gathering may only need a compact battery-powered system, while a major showground or seafront event may require multiple speaker zones, commentary facilities, radio microphones and wireless audio links.
R & J PA Hire provides professional PA systems, commentary units and event communication services for outdoor events across East Yorkshire and the wider Yorkshire region. We plan each system around the event rather than offering a one-size-fits-all package.
Careful preparation for a two-event weekend
Running systems at two major events simultaneously requires organisation well before setup begins. Equipment has to be allocated between sites, cable lengths and speaker positions planned, batteries and radio equipment prepared, and transport arranged. Each system also needs suitable backup equipment and technical support.
That preparation meant both events could have the sound coverage they required throughout the weekend. It was rewarding to see so much R & J PA Hire equipment working across East Yorkshire at the same time and helping two very different events keep their visitors informed.
The sunshine was certainly a welcome bonus and helped create a fantastic atmosphere at both Withernsea and Driffield. We would like to thank the organisers and everyone involved for trusting R & J PA Hire with such an important part of their events.
Outdoor PA hire across East Yorkshire and beyond
Based near Hull, R & J PA Hire supplies outdoor event sound and communication equipment throughout Withernsea, Driffield, Beverley, Bridlington, Hornsea, Hedon, Pocklington, Goole, York and Scarborough, as well as the wider Yorkshire region.
Our services include:
- Outdoor public address systems
- Commentary unit and commentary box hire
- Distributed loudspeaker systems for large sites
- Radio microphones for commentators and presenters
- Wireless audio and radio links between event areas
- Two-way radio hire for organisers, stewards and event teams
- Delivery, professional setup, testing and collection
- On-site technical support where required
Whether you are organising a steam rally, agricultural show, seafront festival, motorsport event, horse show, fun run or community weekend, we can help plan a system suited to your venue and audience.
To discuss PA hire for your next event, contact R & J PA Hire for friendly advice and a tailored quotation or call 07889 438187.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can R & J PA Hire cover separate areas of a large event?
Yes. We can use distributed loudspeakers, suitable cable runs and radio links to deliver announcements into different areas of a large showground, seafront event or public gathering.
What outdoor events does R & J PA Hire support?
We regularly provide PA systems for steam rallies, agricultural shows, horse events, motorsport, community festivals, fun runs and other outdoor events across Yorkshire.
Does R & J PA Hire provide setup and technical support?
Yes. Our service can include delivery, professional installation, system testing, collection and on-site technical support where required.
Martyn’s Law & Event Safety for Event Organisers
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent in April 2025. The legislation is intended to improve preparedness and public protection at qualifying premises and events. Although an implementation period applies before its requirements come into force, event organisers can begin familiarising themselves with the published guidance and considering appropriate communication and emergency procedures.
👉 Read our full guide to Martyn’s Law for Event Organisers
