Yoxford
Note: This map shows the position of the modern airstrip.
YOXFORD: Private airstrip
Note: These four pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Location: Just NW of Yoxford village
Period of operation: 1990s(?) to -
Runway: 02/20 535 grass
NOTE: In November 2017 I was kindly contacted by Mark Gamble, (see 'Comment' below), and this certainly helped clear things up as I did have a record of this airstrip on my Google Earth personal file, but loosely labelled as Saxmunden.
AN EARLIER AIR STRIP
Operated by: Sir Guy Hambling
Location: Yoxford is just W of the A12, on the A1120
NOTES: Between 1934 and 1939 a grass airstrip was in use at YOXFORD. Two sixteen acre fields were made into one in 1934 when the strip was prepared. A windsock as placed at the north end near the B1122. The strip was used it seems occasionally at weekends. Notable visitors were Flt. Lt. E H ‘Mouse’ Fielden, (Captain of the Royal Flight), Flt. Lt. Dick Etchley, Mr Soden (RAF) and an Austrian Prince. It is reported that some estate workers and their families were given joy-rides in visiting aircraft.
When WW2 broke out, the Rockery Park Estate placed old steam engines and surplus farm machinery on this landing strip to prevent use by German invaders.
A GUESS?
A look at modern maps, shows a Rookery Park near Yoxford. The problem being that it is situated east of the A12 and on the B1122. But, is it possibly the case that a Rockery Park once existed west of Yoxford? It seems a tad unlikely, but any advice on the matter will be much appreciated.
Mark Gamble
This comment was written on: 2017-11-22 14:18:19There is a grass air strip about half a mile north of Yoxford. It is visible on Google satellite view. By road - From Yoxford on the A1120 north west for about a quarter of a mile then turn right onto a track that will take you to the air strip. On the satellite view there is even a plane at the southern end of the strip. There is a partial boundary fence in the field which might be the one described in the notes.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Mark, Many thanks indeed. I shall now update the Yoxford entry. Best regards, Dick
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