Blog | Old Sarum Airfield

Honouring History: Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Old Sarum AOP Memorial

June 11, 2025 | No Comments

We were very pleased to support the Air Observation Post (AOP) Association on 10 June 2025. A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Old Sarum Airfield AOP Memorial to commemorate the establishment of the 653 (AOP) Squadron during World War II in June 1942. This members-only event featured prominent attendees, including the AOP Association President and the current 653 Squadron Commander. An Apache helicopter also landed, offering a poignant tribute to the squadron's legacy. It is especially satisfying that Old Sarum Airfield's acceleration of the clearance of the Hangar 3 debris meant this event could take place as planned, and
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Continued progress in clearing Hangar 3

June 9, 2025 | No Comments

We have continued to make good progress in clearing the debris following the fire at Hangar 3. We have prioritised our efforts and have now completely cleared the south side of the hangar to ensure the AOP memorial is free of debris and ready to host the AOP event ceremony on 10 June 2025. During this event, we will see an Apache helicopter and three Austers flying into the airfield on Tuesday morning.
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The first stage in the preservation of Hangar 3 begins

May 13, 2025 | No Comments

The Hangar 3 site is being screened off in preparation for debris clearance after the disastrous fire on 17 April 2025. This marks the start of our major restoration project. The first phase is to rebuild the damaged brickwork before constructing new Belfast trusses and a roof covering. Once complete, we plan to house many historic aircraft that operated from Old Sarum, to enhance the airfield’s rich aviation history.
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Progress and updates after the Hangar fire

May 1, 2025 | No Comments

Following the devastating fire at Old Sarum Airfield in April which resulted in damage to the Grade II listed World War One hangar and the neighbouring Hangar 3 Café, we are aware of some concern over airborne asbestos contamination and general local debate regarding the future restoration of the listed hangar. Since the fire we have arranged for external air quality consultants to conduct onsite testing and are pleased to assure people that there is no airborne asbestos contamination. We have also had a very constructive onsite meeting with Historic England and it was agreed that it appears that considerable
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Skydiving restarts at the airfield

May 1, 2025 | No Comments

We were thrilled last weekend to see the first day of GoSkydive restarting at Old Sarum Airfield and delighted to see so many people enjoying all the skydiving activities. Plus there was food and refreshments from the Hangar 3 Café, all in the beautiful spring sunshine. It has been a remarkable achievement by the whole GoSkydive and Café team to set up the temporary facilities near the control tower so quickly to get things going again. We wish GoSkydive and Hangar 3 Café all the best this summer, and hope the good weather keeps bringing people out to enjoy everything
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Old Sarum Airfield announces historic Harvard ‘Warbird’ flights from WW1 airfield

July 23, 2024 | No Comments

Historic airfield announce test flights as it looks to expand commercial flight activities Old Sarum Airfield have announced that they will be hosting the legendary Harvard ‘Warbird’ historic flights from the airfield starting with a test weekend on 27 and 28 July. The Harvard, also known as the North American T-6 Texan, was the most popular single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train tens of thousands of pilots from the Royal Air Force, United States Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Since being taken out of active service, the Harvard has been a regular participant
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Public consultation meeting Friday 21 April 2023

April 20, 2023 | No Comments

We are having another opportunity for residents to visit us at the airfield to see the plans and talk to some of the people involved. Date Friday 21 April 20 2023 Time 13:00 – 16:00 Venue Skies Café – Old Sarum Airfield You can find more details here from this week’s Salisbury Journal.
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Old Sarum supporting Dowding memoirs and Bentley Priory Museum

August 4, 2021 | No Comments

The man who saved both Salisbury’s historic Old Sarum Airfield and Prestwick International Airport and from closure has been instrumental in bringing to life important notes from one of Britain’s most famous WW2 historical figures, Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding. Dowding was appointed as the Commander in Chief of RAF Fighter Command in 1936 and is widely credited with playing the crucial role in Britain’s defence against a German invasion through the winning of the Battle of Britain in 1940. Matthew Hudson was an initial contributor to the formation and funding of a charity to save Bentley Priory, which was
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Wiltshire Councillor Apologises to owner of Old Sarum Airfield

March 23, 2021 | No Comments

Wiltshire Councillor, Ian McLennan of Laverstock, Ford & Old Sarum ward has made a public apology to the Directors of Old Sarum Airfield. This comes after a long period of publically detailed inaccurate statements and quotes in the media which the Directors at Old Sarum felt needed to be addressed and the record set straight. Councillor McLennan’s statement can be read in full here: Public apology Matthew Hudson – Grenville Hodge – Old Sarum Airfield – Hangar 3 Over the course of last year (2020), I made various comments on Facebook, Twitter, and the Salisbury Journal website in response to
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Lord Dowding original typed papers preserved by benefactor of Old Sarum Airfield come to life in new book

November 3, 2020 | No Comments

Matthew Hudson saved “Life Story” papers of Battle of Britain hero, now published in a new book The man who saved both Salisbury’s historic Old Sarum Airfield and Prestwick International Airport from closure has been instrumental in bringing to life important notes from one of Britain’s most famous WW2 historical figures, Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding. Dowding was appointed as the Commander in Chief of RAF Fighter Command in 1936 and is widely credited with playing the crucial role in Britain’s defence against a German invasion through the winning of the Battle of Britain in 1940. It was his efforts
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