Oxford News
Shock announcement for Abingdon’s popular summer air show
The show at Abingdon Airfield, next to Dalton Barracks, attracts thousands of aviation enthusiasts every year. It was due to be held on Saturday, June 13.
The event’s website says: “The 2026 event is cancelled due to circumstances outside of our control.”
READ MORE: Air show will no longer feature air display
Air show organisers also posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Due to circumstances beyond our control it is with reluctance that we are having to cancel the show which was due to be held on Saturday, June 13.
“We have tried to find ways of making this year’s show viable but its not to be unfortunately.”
Last month, organisers announced there would be no air display but added they hoped they would be able to stage the show, with displays of aircraft on the ground.
A statement from the organisers said at the time: “We have a major change to this year’s show.
“Due to costs of both air display aircraft and the insurance for air displays and road closures we have had to reluctantly chop the air display programme segment – a first after over 20 plus years to keep the show inside its smaller budget to survive, so we hope you understand as to why.”
Organisers have previously said it costs about £80,000 a year to stage the air show.
The festival has raised more than £100,000 for various charities since it launched in 2000.
Following the announcement last month that there would be no air display, organisers added that after “much hard work” with Dalton Barracks and with the advice of the Military Aviation Authority, civilian aircraft and helicopters would be available for static viewing.
“Very limited military aircraft are hoping to support on the ground too,” the organisers added in their statement.
They said at the time: “Also, further good news is the whole show will now be moving back across to the west side of the airfield which is both better for accessibility, provides a concrete access track to and from the car park and showground as well as much better for budding photographers with the sun behind you for most of the day.”
The 25th anniversary show took place in June sunshine last year, attracting at least 5,000 visitors.
The previous year, the show was scheduled to take place in May but was postponed until September.
Following the show’s success in 2025, organiser Neil Porter said: “What a fantastic day everyone seemed to be having – we’ve had some lovely positive reviews and that’s what spurs us volunteers on.
“I have been asked about next year already – let’s see where we are financially first before any decisions are made.
“All I can say on behalf of the committee, to all those who supported us across the board, a big thank you.”
Hailey CE Primary unveiled the library in conjunction with World Book Day, funded through donations from the Friends of Hailey School, community grants, local business donations and our generous families.
Mrs Davies, headteacher, said: “The school is proud that together we are building a brighter future for our children through the power of reading.”
The library offers a wide selection of books across different genres to help children improve their literacy skills and discover new interests.
Excitement is high within the school community.
Mrs Davies said: “We’re so excited about the opening of our library that everyone’s peeking through the doors to catch a glimpse.
“I cannot wait to unfold the magic behind the books.”
The garden has been developed at Folly View Primary School and is designed to support pupil wellbeing, creativity, and personal growth by providing a calming and engaging outdoor space.
Funding for the project was secured through a £1,500 grant from the Tesco Community Grants scheme, made possible by votes from shoppers using blue tokens at the Faringdon store.
Muddy Spades, a local gardening business led by Royston Oxendale, also played a key role in bringing the garden to life by donating plants and building bespoke planters for the space.
Richard Evans, chief executive of Cambrian Learning Trust, said: “This wonderful sensory garden is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose.
“At Cambrian Learning Trust, we are proud to see Folly View Primary School bringing its core values of belonging, kindness, and aspiration to life in such a meaningful way.
“This space will not only enhance pupils’ wellbeing but also inspire curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.”
The garden will also support the school’s gardening club, offering pupils hands-on opportunities to care for plants and learn about the environment.
The school has thanked Tesco Faringdon, Muddy Spades, the PTA, and everyone involved in turning the garden into a reality.
UNESCO first adopted March 21 as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.
The heritage organisation said: “World Poetry Day is the occasion to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry, foster the convergence between poetry and other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting, and raise the visibility of poetry in the media.”
READ MORE: Oxford United ‘told to stop new stadium work or face action’
This time on Looking Back, we’ve found a selection of fantastic poetry celebrations in Oxfordshire from the year 2014, now 12 years ago.
Language lovers converged for the day of celebration on bookshops, schools, at recitals and conferences.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to find pictures from a decade ago of World Poetry Day celebrations in Oxfordshire.
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