Abingdon Airfield at Dalton Barracks is the place to be on Saturday 20 May 2023 to watch the ever-popular Abingdon Air and Country Show. Following the cancellation in September 2022 due to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, volunteers organising this unique show are looking forward to welcoming people back.
Although the cost of organising the show has risen dramatically, since its inception, in the past, the organisers have been able to donate £100,000 to various charities including £82,895.70 to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, £14,000 to Douglas House Respite Centre and a further £3,350 to other local charities. With your support, they hope to make further donations following the 2023 event.
Dalton Barracks is located on the former RAF Abingdon station just five miles from Oxford and a mile west of Abingdon town. This historic RAF station was the take-off point for the first solo East to West crossing of the Atlantic by a woman, Beryl Markham, who flew a Vega Gull westward in September 1936. It went on to play a prominent role throughout World War II to become a major Transport Command station hosting the Beverley and Andovers, becoming one of two major maintenance stations in the UK until closure in 1992 servicing Jaguar, Buccaneer and Hawk jets. It continues to be used as Training Grounds for Army ground-based units as a staging post. Occasionally the airfield will be used by the RAF with Boeing Chinooks and Westland Pumas, Boeing C17 Globemaster and the Airbus A400.
This year’s show has attractions both on the ground and in the air. During the afternoon visitors will be able to enjoy an Air Display programme featuring both vintage and more modern aircraft. There will also be a display of static aircraft which will fly in during the morning. RAF Abingdon will also be remembered with a small display of photos and artefacts from its past between 1936 to 1992.
There is plenty to enjoy too with numerous ground attractions including live music, crafts, motorcycle arena displays, a Red Arrows flight simulator, falconry displays, classic vehicles, amusements and much more. As you would expect there will be a variety of trade stalls on offer together with hot food and a bar, so you won’t go hungry or thirsty.
Tickets are only available at abingdonairandcountry.co.uk/tickets to enter the show with the ticket giving details of the public and pedestrian-vehicle entrances to use. Anyone interested in booking a stall or showing a classic vehicle can apply by completing an application form at abingdonairandcountry.co.uk/application-forms.
The small band of volunteers organising the event is led by Neil Porter; collectively they are grateful to the sponsors who are supporting the event including Chancellors Estate Agents, Masterfloors of Wallingford, Qdot Technology Limited, Stein Pilot Insurance, Look Local and Chiltern View Magazines. If local companies would like to support the event with sponsorship or donations, please contact Neil Porter at Neilsevent72@gmail.com.
