Thanks to Malcolm for this report from 6th December 1967.

Many older Abingdon residents will remember the Blackburn Beverley. These huge aeroplanes arrived at RAF Abingdon in March 1956 and were the biggest aircraft to go into RAF service at the time.

There were only three pilots qualified to fly them at the base so an intensive training programme started to supply aircrew for the two UK squadrons, both based at Abingdon. Residents of a certain age, especially those in the north of the town, will remember the ‘bumps and circuits’ carried out both day and night in the early days of service.

53 Squadron was amalgamated into 47 Squadron in 1963 and the latter was disbanded on 31st October 1967. The last two Beverleys departed Abingdon on the 6th December 1967 which is when the attached pictures were taken. I was a member of the local ATC squadron and myself and a friend were cadet ‘jollyriders’ who scrounged a lift.

The flightpath took the pair around the Isle of Wight – the air to air shot is over the Solent – with formation flypasts en-route over RAF Upavon (headquarters of Air Support Command at the time) and RAF Odiham.

These were followed by farewell flypasts over Abingdon – the approach lights can be seen in the final image – before landing at RAF Shawbury, where the two aeroplanes were handed to 27 MU and eventually the scrapman.

For somebody visiting this blog in a few years time, here is what the Bridleway to Sunningwell looked like on this mild September day in 2017. This land has been designated for housing in the Vale of White Horse local plan up to 2031.

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Looking to the right of the bridleway is a field stretching all the way to the Oxford Road. One or two houses are visible in Alexander Close, and cars speed at 40 MPH round the Abingdon outer road making it difficult to cross to the bridleway.

To the left is a field that stretches to Tilsley Park, across which are some transmission lines.

The A34 dual carriageway is on the far side of the field, divided off by a small fence and some bushes. It is all very open.

I don’t know the name of either field.

As part of Heritage Open Day it was good to see cars made in Abingdon – still going strong although the MG factory closed in 1980. They don’t make them like that anymore. Bob Frampton, in the picture, is writing a book on MGs called Made in Abingdon.

At 11 am the Town Crier, Tony Legge, announced the Mayor of Ock Street Mr Harry Knight who opened the day with a short speech.
Harry then led out the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers to perform some traditional Abingdon dances.

The main feature of the day was the fifteen open properties. Here at St Ethelwolds House is Richard who gave two talks about the history of the house.

Christ’s Hospital Hall was very busy with lots of visitors throughout the day. They had an exhibition about the wharf and St Helen’s Mill in times gone by.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Jan Morter, also went round some of the open properties, and received a new picture ‘Made in Abingdon’ produced for this event – sponsored by West Waddy ADP.

The Mayor’s Civic Service is at St Helen’s Church this Sunday at 10:30. You are all invited.

Ride and Stride was also happening with over 500 churches and chapels open in Oxfordshire including St Helen’s Church. This annual event always coincides with Heritage Open day, during the 2nd weekend of September, and ensures the churches are open for two good reasons.

More pictures on the Abingdon Blog Facebook Album.