I didn’t get to the Abingdon Air and Country Show this year but nethertheless did get a view of the Vulcan bomber as it first wheeled over Trinity Church, then came back a minute later over the trees of the Ock Valley Walk.
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Thanks to Julian who did go to the airshow for some top notch pictures of the Vulcan and other planes …
it was a great day there! and no rain!
Thank you posting such a great photo!
it almost took our chimney off! it is a wonderful plane.
Oh man. Wish I saw that. Only saw the Red Arrow flying around.
it was large and noisy – not very stealthy!
although it did get quiet quickly once it was getting a little further away
And the pilot flying it was the one who last flew it in action – on the Port Stanley bombing raid during the Falklands War.
I remember the Vulcan from around 1973 Abingdon airshow. It was still current then, if not quite state of the art. As a small child I thought it was very appropriately named. I’m glad the airshow has continued after the RAF’s departure.
Just in case some people don’t know, the Air Show is not “officially” organised – it is a charity event, run by local volunteers, with proceeds going to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. According to the show’s website:
“RAF Abingdon traditionally held annual Airshows in September and these were a hugely popular event with both the local community as well as with people from further afield. When the RAF pulled out, these shows ceased. Our event was created back in the year 2000 to put something back into the community and has always been billed as a family day out at an affordable price. The 2000 event was nothing more than a small Fete and broke even financially but with perseverance the show has grown into what is now a major event on the region’s calendar. ”
I think it is fantastic that people are willing to put this sort of effort in – well done Colin and team.
PS The same applies to next weekend’s big event – the Dragon Boat Racing – we are lucky to have two such big community-run family events every summer. Let’s just hope the weather holds.
All
Many thanks for your kinds comments. Our 13th annual Airshow / Country Show is back to the normal early May bank hols in 2012, Sunday 6th May so please come and support if you can. It takes us many hours to plan, (about 6 – 8months to organise) and is firmly established as one of the major events in the town.
Despite the huge amount of money to stage this event, we will try to keep this going for as long as we can,
Next year sees the 80th anniversary of the Stations existence so we will try to recognise this in some form.
Thank you for supporting us!
Neil Porter
Overall Event Co-ordinator
(Aircraft co-ord specialist!)
Other members of the team;
Andy Porter (Grounds co-ord), Malc Ashby (Sponsorship & Catering Co-ord), Colin Smith (Press & Tickets co-ord), Sue Porter (Crafts Co-ord), Jason Porter (Vintage Vehicle / Steam co-ord), Martin Davies (Amusements co-ord).