Caversham flying sites
Note: This map only shows the position of Caversham within the UK.
In March 2020 I was kindly contacted by Mr John Joyes - see 'Comment' below which refers to the BLAGRAVES FARM location. Since then Mr Michael T Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide' has had a look into the history of this area. See below.
CAVERSHAM: In the 1920s there were three temporary aerodromes being used for flying displays and joy-rides. The first was BLAGRAVES FARM, roughly 1nm WNW of Caversham bridge, being used from 1919 to 1922. Later displays were held at LOWFIELD FARM, situated east of Caversham, perhaps from 1926 to 1928? In 1929 at least one display took place from the field adjacent to the PROMENADE which is on the south bank of the River Thames, just west of Caversham Bridge. So, strictly speaking, not actually in Caversham?
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
BLAGRAVES FARM
Note: The second item, a picture, was published in the Reading Observer on the 8th January 1921.
The fourth item, an article, was published in the Reading Observer on the 25th December 1920. The picture was published in the Reading Observer on the 8th January 1921.
Note: This seventh item, a picture, was published in the Reading Observer on the 8th January 1921. The eighth item, a notice in Flight magazine, was published on the 12th May 1921. The ninth item, an area view, is from my Google Earth © database.
LOWFIELD FARM
Note: This third item, an advert, was published in the Reading Standard on the 30th October 1926, concerning Air Displays being held from the 26th October until the 7th November.
Note: The fourth item, an advert, was published in the Reading Standard on the 13th November 1926 regarding an air display being held on the 14th November 1926.
The sixth item, another advert, was published in the Reading Standard on the 19th May 1928.
There is a lesson to be learnt here from the fourth item. Having enough business generated over several days clearly indicates the huge amount of popular enthusiasm for such events. Just a few years later, even bigger and more spectacular displays, in most cases, would warrant just a single day display.
PROMENADE
Note: The advert was published in the Reading Standard on the 23rd March 1929.
NOTES: As always in this 'Guide', if anybody can kindly offer advice and information, this will be most welcome.
John Joyes
This comment was written on: 2020-03-25 10:34:05Not really an aerodrome, just a farmers field leased for displays and pleasure flights, a few times a year, from 1919 to 1922, at Blagraves Farm, 51°28'43.9"N 0°59'59.5"W, now a golf course. Information derived from newspaper adverts and reports.
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