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10,000 turn out for Abingdon Air and Country Show
ORGANISERS believe a record number of at least 10,000 people flocked to this year's Abingdon Air and Country Show - despite frequent showers.
The ninth event of its kind was held at Abingdon airfield at Dalton Barracks on Sunday. For the second year running, all profits were donated to the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.
Colin Smith, the show's publicity officer, said: "Going by the numbers that have been going through the gates, it's definitely the best year we have had so far."
He said: "It's the first major air show of the season, which will give the enthusiasts time to dust off their cameras and such like.
"It's a good local community event and has something for all the family, and it's for such a worthwhile cause.
"The tank rides have proved popular and I think the mobile farm has attracted a lot of people."
Many visitors brought brollies and anoraks as forecasts were for downpours for most of the day, but the rain held off until the afternoon.
One of the main attractions was a three-hour flying display in the afternoon, which featured a Second World War P-40 Kittyhawk, a Supermarine Spitfire, a 1950s Percival Pembroke, a Hawker Hunter jet and a Douglas DC transport aircraft. There were also more than 60 old and new aircraft on static display.
Visitors had a chance to take to the skies in a de Havilland Chipmunk or those who preferred to keep their feet on the ground could ride in a tank. Lucy Webster, ten, got the chance to climb into the cockpit of a Black Hawk helicopter. Her mum Mary Webster, 43, said: "We had a great day. Unfortunately, it started raining mid afternoon but we were leaving anyway.
"The highlight for me was going on to the Merlin helicopter and being shown around by the RAF men, it was really interesting. I think the children enjoyed the tank ride the best."
Emma Berchier, 42, of Drayton St Leonard, who attended the show with daughter Laura, 11, enjoyed the flying displays. She said: "It has been an absolutely fantastic day and the rain hasn't put us off. The flying displays were brilliant and the children enjoyed going on the planes. We have also been on the little Jeeps a lot, which was lovely, and the ice cream and candy floss have certainly gone down well."
Mandy Rowden, 40, and her son Jay, nine, visited the show from their home in Reading.
Ms Rowden said: "It has been a really good day. The Spitfire flying display was the highlight.
"It's the first time we have been, but it's really good value for money."
On the ground, there were displays of vintage cars, steam machinery and military vehicles. There was also a craft tent, amusements, a mobile farm Farms-2-Ewe, which brought a selection of young animals for children to pet, and performances by Kennington Brass Band and a dog agility team.
Another popular display was Doctor Who's Daleks, complete with the Dr's time machine. Five-year-old Alex Bradley, from Witney, is a huge fan of the television programme and went to have a look at the Daleks with dad, Simon, 38.
Mr Bradley said: "Alex certainly enjoyed himself and the Daleks were his favourite, they were really good and just like they were on the telly. That was the main reason we went along as Alex loves the programme."
1:57pm Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Louise, Abingdon on 1:39pm Wed 7 May 08
Well done to everyone from the air ambulance who organised this day, I hope they managed to raised a decent amount of money. It was a great event and good to see something happening in Abingdon. The rain didn't put us off, and the kids loved the daleks!
Well done to everyone from the air ambulance who organised this day, I hope they managed to raised a decent amount of money. It was a great event and good to see something happening in Abingdon. The rain didn't put us off, and the kids loved the daleks!
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