R & J PA Hire once again play a key role at Blue Light Weekend in Withernsea, delivering full public address system hire, two-way radio communications, and professional commentary facilities for this popular seafront event celebrating the UK’s emergency services.
Held annually in Withernsea, Blue Light Weekend brings together police, fire, ambulance, coastguard and other emergency services for a packed programme of demonstrations, displays and public engagement. With large crowds attending across the weekend, reliable communication systems are essential to ensure both public safety and smooth event coordination.
This year marked the fourth consecutive year that R & J PA Hire has supported the event, reinforcing a trusted partnership with organisers and highlighting the company’s reputation for delivering dependable outdoor event PA hire in Yorkshire.
🔊 Full Seafront PA Coverage for Large Outdoor Events
For this year’s event, R & J PA Hire supplied and managed full seafront PA coverage, spanning multiple zones and key public areas.
Providing clear audio in a coastal environment presents unique challenges, including:
- Wind exposure
- Background noise
- Large open spaces
Each system was carefully designed using distributed speaker systems to ensure announcements, safety messages, and live commentary were heard clearly across the entire site.
The PA systems were used throughout for:
- Public announcements and event updates
- Safety and emergency messaging
- Coordination of demonstrations
- Live commentary for spectators
👉 If you’re planning a similar event, read our guide:
➡️ /outdoor-event-pa-hire-yorkshire-checklist/
🎙️ Three Commentary Units for Live Demonstrations
A major highlight of Blue Light Weekend is the live demonstration programme. To support this, R & J PA Hire supplied three fully equipped commentary units, providing presenters with dedicated, professional spaces.
Each unit included:
- Professional microphones
- Audio control systems
- Direct integration into the main PA network
This ensured seamless audio coverage across all demonstration areas, improving clarity and audience engagement.
👉 Learn more:
➡️ /discuss-why-commentary-boxes-are-essential/
✈️ Air Show – A Crowd-Pleasing Highlight on Sunday
One of the standout attractions of Blue Light Weekend is the Sunday air show, which consistently draws large crowds to the seafront.
Aerial displays provide a spectacular finale to the weekend, requiring clear, reliable commentary so spectators can fully understand and enjoy each performance.
R & J PA Hire’s systems ensured that:
- Commentary was heard clearly across the seafront
- Safety messages could be delivered instantly
- The audience remained fully engaged throughout the displays
Large-scale events like air shows rely heavily on professional PA systems to maintain both safety and atmosphere.
🎤 Live Commentary by Richard Acklam
In addition to supplying the equipment, Richard Acklam provided live commentary throughout the weekend.
Commentary played a key role in:
- Introducing demonstrations
- Explaining emergency service procedures
- Keeping audiences informed and engaged
Having both the technical provider and commentator working together ensured a smooth, professional delivery across all areas.
📡 Two-Way Radio Hire for Event Coordination
Behind the scenes, R & J PA Hire supplied two-way radios to support real-time communication between organisers, stewards, and operational teams.
The system supported:
- Event coordination
- Crowd management
- Incident response
- Operational decision-making
Unlike mobile phones, radios provide instant, reliable communication, making them essential for large-scale public events.
👉 Learn more about our radio hire:
➡️ /two-way-radio-hire/
🌊 Built for Coastal & Outdoor Events
Seafront and outdoor events demand robust, reliable equipment and experienced setup.
R & J PA Hire ensured:
- Weather-resistant installations
- Wide-area sound coverage
- Secure speaker positioning
- Continuous monitoring and support
Technicians remained on-site throughout, ensuring consistent performance and rapid response if required.
❤️ Honouring the Vision Behind Blue Light Weekend
Blue Light Weekend is more than just an event — it is a tribute to the vision of Steve Medcalf, whose idea brought this large-scale community event to life.
Following Steve’s passing, the event continues in his memory, led by his brother Andy Medcalf alongside Dave Penson and a dedicated team of volunteers.
Their efforts have grown Blue Light Weekend into a respected and well-attended two-day event that continues to support the emergency services and bring the community together.
Craig Marriott’s beautiful tribute to Steve Medcalf – and a lovely reminder why Withernsea’s annual Blue Light Weekend was setup in his memory
🏆 Four Years of Trusted Event Support
This year marked the fourth consecutive year supporting Blue Light Weekend — a clear reflection of the trust placed in R & J PA Hire.
By delivering:
- Public address systems
- Commentary units
- Two-way radios
- Live commentary
The team once again ensured the event ran safely, smoothly, and professionally.
🎧 Professional PA Hire for Events in Yorkshire
R & J PA Hire specialises in:
From community events to large-scale seafront deployments, every setup is tailored to the venue, audience size, and event requirements.
👉 Need reliable sound for your event?
📞 07889 438187
🌐 https://rjpahire.co.uk
🔊 Planning an Outdoor Event?
Whether you’re organising a seafront event, air show, charity day, or large public gathering, R & J PA Hire provides professional sound systems, commentary units, and radio communications tailored to your event.
📞 Call: 07889 438187