It was the twentieth year of the Abingdon Air And Country Show. Near the entrance there was a large RAF Hercules that people were queuing to look round.
I arrived quite early, when some of the 50+ aircraft were still arriving. That was before the flying displays that started at around 1:30 pm.
There were the usual wide array of Classic vehicles and ex-military vehicles.
Abingdon Air Training Corps were one of many organisations with a stall. They are stationed near the airfield at Dalton Barracks.
There were various displays and performances. Hawkwalk – Falconry Oxfordshire had what turned into a longer than expected display. The final bird, a Peregrine Falcon, flew high away from the arena, and then seemed to be set upon by four kites which swirled around it blocking its return. The falcon’s speed was too much for the kites and it eventually came back to swoop for the food, but it was real life nature.
Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers were there performing in front of the Oxford Bus Company double deckers.
Their squire, The Mayor of Ock Street, can be seen here afterwards with one of the Military re-enactment groups. He will soon be up for re-election.
The Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Margaret Crick, also toured the show, and got to see behind the scenes, and talk to the pilots and organisers.
I’m afraid my camera, with its standard lens, could not do most of the air display justice. This is the Rich Goodwin Muscle Biplane which did three close passes with a car, before doing some amazing aerial acrobatics.
There was a huge crowd. The sky was cloudy with some blue patches and a little wind and so good for parachuting and flying.
Money will have been raised for Thames Valley Air Ambulance and other good causes. Neil Porter and family and friends have again organised a wonderful day. They are all volunteers and work so hard, despite the stricter and stricter regulations, to put on a show.
