Faringdon
Note: This map only shows the position of Faringdon town within the UK.
FARINGDON 1919: Temporary aerodrome (Aka HAREMORE PARK)
Operated by: Berkshire Aviation Company
Location: Sports Ground, just SSE of Faringdon town centre
Period of operation: 9th June 1919
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a long term friend of this 'Guide', to thank for both discovering this venue location and providing the following items to illustrate it.
In producing this 'Guide' which is basically intended to identify the location of flying sites, (and if only all were as easy as HEATHROW), it can often be a devil of a job. But, Mike Holder is not one to do things by halves, and this is an excellent example of his diligence, finding this Notice published in the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the 21st May 1887! Please note that on the c.1914 map above, this is still, even after over 25 years, labelled as being the cricket ground.
The article in two parts was published, also in the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette, on the 14th June 1919. Note the mention of Alan Cobham flying the displays.
Later of course to be knighted as Sir Alan Cobham after his pioneering flights in the 1920s, establishing routes for Imperial Airways across Africa down to South Africa, and across the Middle East through to the Far East. His autobiography, A Time to Fly is highly recommended reading.
The local area and area views are from my Google Earth© derived database. Please note that not all, by any means, of all the flying sites listed is this 'Guide', have been pinned in this database. And, even in 2025, new flying sites are being added nigh on every week! Many being additions to existing general locations such as towns and cities.
FARINGDON 1933: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day No.1 Tour
Location: Just S of the A417, about 2nm ESE of Faringdon town centre
Note: We do not know for certain exactly which field was used but both Mike and I agree that this field, just east of Kitemore House, is the most likely. Favouring prevailing winds it has quite enough room, close to the main road, for spectators and car parking.
Period of operation: 1st May 1933
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Article One was published in the Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette on the 28th April 1933.
The Article Two, in two parts, was also published in the Faringdon Gazette etc, but this time on the 5th May.
The local area and area views are from my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES: After the resounding success of the 1932 tour, ending at CHINGFORD, north London on the 16th October, Sir Alan Cobham decided to crate up many of his fleet and ship them out to South Africa for a tour which lasted from the 23rd November until the 17th February. However, by early April he was ready to embark on a truly massive project involving two Tours, planned to visit 277 venues, including the No.1 Tour going to Eire.
The 1933 No.1 Tour commenced at CENTRAL PARK, Dagenham in ESSEX, on the 14th April and this venue was, by a small numerical coincidence, the 14th display site.
Although once in BERKSHIRE, Faringdon is now in OXFORDSHIRE.
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