Sundorne Farm
SUNDORNE FARM: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Sir Alan Cobham’s 1933 No.2 Tour of the UK
Location: Adjacent to Sundorne Castle, roughly 3nm NE of Shrewsbury town centre
Note: I originally had this venue listed as SUNDORNE CASTLE which it was initially advertised as, and had guessed it was probably north-west of Shrewsbury town centre. Wrong! The problem was that I was using modern maps, and as Sundorne Castle had been demolished, it didn't appear. Also, the 'Comments' were posted before Mike Holder kindly investigated the subject.
Period of operation: 8th June 1933
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
In June 2026, following up on a request I made to see if he could discover any more about this venue, for which I only had the skimpy notes above, I was delighted to be sent the following. However, as Mike pointed out, we still do not know the exact field used, so if anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated. He makes the point that the main reason he has selected the probable field(s) shown, is because those nearer to the farm have ponds in them, so hardly suitable for flying from.
All three of these items are from the Shrewsbury Chronicle. Advert One was placed on the 26th May 1933, and the Notice and Advert Two both appeared on the 2nd June.
The article in two parts was published in the Shrewsbury Chronicle on the 9th June 1933.
The local area and area views are from my Google Earth© derived database.
NOTES: The more I learn about our aviation history, the more fascinating it becomes. For example, the early to mid 1930s era is now famous for being the 'hey-day' of the "Flying Circus". These displays attracted huge crowds and many lined up to take flights, often for the first time. And yet, this was in the depths of the 'Great Depression'. This of course reflects the time in America when the most extravagant films were being made celebrating how the rich and famous lived and carried on.
The Tours Sir Alan Cobham's company organised from 1932 to 1935 were in a class of their own in all respects, not least for the sheer number of venues planned to be visited. The 1933 Tour was so large in scope that it had to be divided into two Tours, both starting on the 14th April. This venue for the No.2 Tour was the 51th, and 161 venues were planned to be visited, the No.1 Tour having 116 because that also went to Ireland.
Michael T Holder
This comment was written on: 2020-05-18 13:26:35Had to Google this and found it for sale on a web site - also I could not find it on the old Ordnance Survey maps - had to go the 1950s series before I found it marked. Position - 52 52 14"N 002 39 47W - some 2.8 miles to the NE of Wem. Bit out in the sticks.
Lawrence
This comment was written on: 2021-04-03 22:47:12Sundorne Grove Farm is now part of an estate on the northern outskirts of Shrewsbury. On google maps the Farm house is situated on a cul de sac named Goldcrest Drive, Post Code SY1 4TP. The more likely spot for a temporary aerodrome would have been at Sundorne Castle a large country house run by the Corbett family, since demolished, situated East of Sundorne Grove close to the village of Uffington.
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