Abingdon Air and Country Show - Saturday 18th May 2024

[shaun]

Well, its that time again!

Fancy a great day out? Craft Fair, fun Fair, entertainment and an air show all rolled into one.

£5 per car plus passenger.

Anyone interested please contact me at oxon@joc.org.uk or leave a message on 07969 129382

The JOC has been well represented over the years at this, the opener for the UK Air Show season.

[Martin R]

I've pencilled the date in but can't yet commit to it.

[shaun]

just a short update.

Got around 7 so far. Interceptors, J-H, GT.

[adamfschr]

Please add me to your list.

Cheers,
Adam

[shaun]

On the list Adam

[bashford1]

Hi Shaun,
Please also add me plus passenger to the list. I will contact you through the above email you gave too.
Thanks Brett

[shaun]

FINAL CALL FOR CARS

As the organisers have just announced their final flying display for the event, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Sally B", i thought I'd ask for the last time if any more Jensenites would wish to attend?

IF SO, please let me know by 20 April AT THE LATEST.

Thanks

[KaranMK2]

Hi Shaun, please put Raj & I down for it - two cars if possible. Karan

[shaun]

No problem.

Just need registration nos, vehicle type/mark etc and address to send passes to.

£5 per car. Further details to follow.

Let me know on shaunwinfield@btinternet.com

Thanks

[Martin R]

I am reasonably sure I can and will attend. I'll know for definite soon after April 19 if that's not too late?

[shaun]

Martin,

No problem

[shaun]

My last post seems to have disappeared.

Never mind.

FINAL call for participants.

An unusual occurrence, I have three payments already. On the day will do!! For some strange reason I trust you!!

£5 per car driver and one passenger. BARGAIN.

I've details from most of you but missing a couple. Need them ASAP before i can send application to the organiser who I have known for a long time, a guy called Malcolm.14 April

That's it. Draw bridge raised at 00.01 Sunday . NO LATE COMMERS

[Martin R]

I'm saying yes, hoping to hear from Zac2 before midnight !!

UPDATE: It’s yes from me and a yes from Stephen Zacaroli “Zac”.
2 cars.

[bashford1]

Hi Shaun,
Is there anything else anyone needs to do or you need from us or other instructions before the show in the 18th ?
It woukd be interesting to see a list of participants if thats possible too.
Looking forward to see you
Brett.

[shaun]

I have just received the email below from the Classic Vehicle co-ordinator.

Self explanatory

Dear All,

I was envisaging sending you an email about now to give you the final joining instructions. However, on Wednesday we received an email from the MAA (Military Aviation Authority) who oversee any airshow that takes place over military land to say that there had been a major administration error by the Army at Dalton Barracks and neither they (the MAA) nor DIO (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) had picked it up since the error was made over six months ago!

This error has resulted in no civilian aircraft being allowed (currently) to operate out of Abingdon, which has a huge impact on our show. We are very hopeful that the issues can be resolved by the Army, MAA and DIO in the coming months and that we will be able host the show towards the end of September or early October. A date is yet to be confirmed, one of our number is meeting the HoE (Head of Establishment) at the barracks this coming Thursday, and as soon as we have a date we will let you know.

Statement being released ...

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had no choice but to make the difficult decision to postpone our 2024 event. The reason being, the airfield at Abingdon is Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulated and classed within a 'tiered system' in conjunction with Abingdon HQ (Dalton Barracks) regarding its aviation status. Unfortunately within the last six months, the tier Abingdon was under has gone from level three to zero - which means apart from military aircraft which are exempt, all civilian aircraft are not allowed to land or take off from Abingdon as it stands. This came to light on Wednesday 8th May with the MAA stating that it cannot be resolved in conjunction with Abingdon HQ in the timescale to allow the Air & County Show to take place on Saturday 18th May. Therefore as 95% of the aircraft due to land and operate from Abingdon during the show were civilian they have effectively been wiped out. We have had no option but to postpone the show until the airfield has its tier status re-instated, probably to Tier 2. We are very sorry for the news but the committee and core volunteers are truly devastated.
Any queries please feel free to reach out but we hope to see you later in the year."

So, now what do I/we do with our faithful classic vehicle followers? This is becoming a bad habit! The last time we postponed the event was in 2022 when HM The Queen passed away two days before the show. Then, most if not nearly all of you decided to carry your applications over to the following year and I am once again offering you that option. If we cannot find an appropriate date later in the year I will come back to you again. If however, you decide you would rather have your money returned to you then please let me know and I can arrange for this to be done. Some of you, the late appliers, might not even have had your cheques cashed by our Treasurer yet so this may not apply to you.

By all means let me know your thoughts and wishes and I will reply forthwith. I am sorry again for this mess that came as a real shock to everyone involved in the show and I hope you will be understanding.

Until I write or we meet at Abingdon sometime in the near future, take care of yourselves, have a great summer and ... happy driving!

Kind regards,
Malcolm Ashby

Abingdon Air & Country Show