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Abingdon Fayre Committee's Photoday, 3 August

Neil Porter reviews the second Abingdon 'do' this year

After the first successful Abingdon Fayre charity event to be held at former RAF Abingdon (now known as Dalton Barracks) back on 5 May this year, a second small Photoday was held in early August. The main aim was to mark the departing of full time aviation (the RAF moving out) ten years ago and also to donate a cheque for £5,000 to members of the Douglas House Hospice, Oxford, money that was raised at the May event.

Scattered thunderstorms put paid to some of the expected participants, but a nice mix made it to Abingdon, including a locally based Autogyro, piloted by Kevin Robinson; Ted Lay's beautiful Tiger Moth (Ted, being a stalwart of Abingdon, restored Tiger Moth G-AOJJ here in the 1980s); Chipmunks; a Bulldog; an Isaacs Fury in 43 Squadron marks; the only ex-RAF operated Beagle Husky; a Royal Netherlands Air Force marked Piper Cub; and Radial Revelations' T28 Fennec and Beech 18.

Martin Willing, piloting his T28, suitably arrived in style consisting of low passes and topside views - not content with this, he suitably departed in style also! Not to be outdone were James Pittock in the Messerschmitt Me-108 and the pilot of the Beech 18, both performing lovely photogenic passes.

All in all, a relaxed day out, with nice photo opportunities to be had, but this was a one-off event this year as the main Abingdon Fayre Charity events will take priority in future. Next year's Abingdon Fayre is scheduled for Sunday 4 May with the main attraction being its small flying display & visiting vintage aircraft, so mark this in your diary - NOW!!

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