You can almost picture the scene, farmers and workhands working the fields in the heat of the summer sun, shield their eyes with their rough hands, drawn to the unmistakable sound of an aircraft engine as it chugs slowly overhead. They’ve seen aeroplanes before of course, the horrors of the First World War remain very much in the public consciousness, however the allure of powered flight is captivating and their gaze follows the airframe until it disappears over the brow of the chalk cliffs of Odiham.

The year is 1925, and a field a mile South of Odiham village is identified as a promising location for a landing strip due to its proximity to Aldershot and Salisbury Plain. Soon after, the Air Ministry purchases the land at ‘Downs Farm’ and so begins Odiham’s aviation story.

This year, RAF Odiham and Odiham village celebrate 100 years of aviation in this rural Hampshire village. Working in cooperation, we will mark this milestone with several events around the themes of Community, Legacy and Celebration.

Distinct from being purely a military anniversary (in fact RAF Odiham only came in to existence officially on the 18th October 1938), the celebrations will document Odiham’s eras of aviation, telling the stories of some of those who flew, as well as powered flight’s development and its influence on the local people.

The year ahead will include celebration events such as ODI100 Boxing, Flags on the Highstreet, Odiham in Bloom, High Street Box Car Racing and much more, culminating in ODI100 Families & Communities Festival in July.

Do you have a connection with RAF Odiham? Perhaps you are a veteran with a great story from your time serving there? If so, then we want to hear from you! Contact the RAF Odiham, Media & Communications Officer at odihammco@gmail.com

 

Flt Lt Ian Wallis

Media and Communications Officer | RAF Odiham