Grove Farm
GROVE FARM: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Berkshire Aviation Company
Location: Just W of the A338, just E of Grove village centre, ESE of RAF GROVE and roughly 1.25nm NNE of Wantage town centre
Period of operation: 31st March to 2nd April 1923
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
We have Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' to thank for finding this venue, and supplying the maps etc.
The short article was published in the North Wilts Herald on the 6th April 1923.
The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
NOTES: After WW1 there were a great number of ex RFC/RAF people, pilots and groundcrew, mechanics and airframe fitters, very keen to find a future career in aviation, but the opportunities were limited. The main path was through getting engaged with operators offering joy-rides. As a general rule such operations centred on major seaside resorts, to capture holiday makers keen on having a very novel experience. Flying!
It was a major attraction to many, not least because the exploits of aces during the war had had so much publicity.
The Berkshire Aviation Company, formed initially with Alan Cobham, took a different approach. They decided to take aviation to the public where they lived, often using, as in this case just one aeroplane, staying as long as enough business came along. And, they kept operating throughout the year. This was why they succeeded in remaining in business.
A BONUS PICTURE
Mike Holder also provided this aerial picture c.1950, showing the proximity of GROVE FARM to the later WW2 RAF GROVE air base.
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