This is the biggest event in the Abingdon Calendar, attracting a huge number of people. Many come primarily to see the air show, but there are a lot of other attractions besides.
In the Arena there were, among others, falconry displays, Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, and The Oxford Caledonian Pipe Band.
In the music tent, seated on bales of hay, the audience listened to singers, choirs, troupes, and bands including the Mangledwurzels – a tribute band to the Wurzels who had a number one hit single ‘Combine Harvester’ in 1976.
The Country Show also attracts a lot of ex military vehicles, and re-enactors. These soldiers could have served France in the Algerian War of Independence, from 1954 to 1962. That war ended in Algeria getting independence from France.
MGs and other vintage cars were there in big numbers. This particular MG is well known in Abingdon, but others came from far and wide. There were a group of 18 MGs from Shropshire who came over for the weekend to take part.
This fire engine has Wallingford on the side, as that was the last place it served, but it served in Abingdon during the 1960s, and attended the Abingdon Maltings Fire in 1968.
Then there were about 20 steam traction engines, and many many stalls – community and trade. They seemed to be laid out differently this year so more of them could enjoy the air displays which were on the other side.
The air displays didn’t go totally to plan.
There was one emergency landing on the grass. Fire engines and ambulances were very quickly in attendance, and the pilot was take to hospital for checking out. So hopefully the report I heard, that it is not too serious, is true.
That led to a delay of 45 minutes before flying could resume. After the flights resumed, the Great War Display team gave an exciting display with about eight aircraft in the air together chasing each other about, simulating WWI fighting, while explosions boomed as they were shot at from the ground.
There were also things for younger children including amusements, ice cream, animals, and Punch and Judy. The young lady on the right is one of the new police cadets that have just restarted recently. It is an alternative to army, navy, an air cadets.
Cadets take part in neighbourhood policing initiatives, community activities and events. This was their first event. To find out more go to https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/join-us/cadets/
