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Photographs kindly sent in by Graham Jackson

In 1968, Hawker Sidderley Aviation - a forerunner of British Aerospace - first granted permission for an airshow at Woodford. The Woodford Airshows were to run for another 33 years, giving the village a national reputation as a destination for fantastic displays. At its peak, the Airshows attracted 100,000 visitors and raised £2.5million.

The shows were run as a fundraiser for RAFA, the Association that helps families and dependents of the Royal Air Force. It is the largest single-service membership organisation in the United Kingdom and has roughly 74,000 members and 500 Branches in the UK, Europe and further afield. The Association provides help and advice, assistance, comradeship and, where required, welfare and care for the whole RAF family.

The Airshows attracted a fantastic range of aircraft from all over the world, including the first display of Concorde outside an International airshow in 1971 and the famous Vulcan display. Over the years, there were RAF Tornadoes, Hercules, the Russian test pilots in their MIG fighters, the historic bi-planes, the helicopter display teams, and of course the Spitfires and the hugely popular Red Arrows. The lowest point came in 1992, when Spitfire pilot David Moore was killed in front of horrified spectators when his plane crashed in a ball of flames.

The Air Shows ended in 2001 after several had been washed out through torrential rains. Stockport Express wrote at the time “For 33 years Woodford Airshow has thrilled, wowed and excited young and old alike. You didn't have to be an aviation buff to appreciate the precision skills of the famous Red Arrows, to marvel at Britain's wartime saviour the Spitfire or be in awe of the incredible 'flying crate' the Lancaster Bomber. The war veterans would watch the Battle of Britain memorial flight with pride and perhaps a tear in their eye, while their grandchildren could dream of one day becoming a daring Red Arrow pilot.”

Woodford Aerodrome, the home of the Avro Lancaster and the Avro Vulcan, is due to close in 2012 after the completion of the Nimrod MRA.4 programme. Local Conservatives, who have repeatedly paid tribute to the Aerodrome’s past, have called for a commemorative event in that year to celebrate the amazing history of the site. Conservatives in Stockport and Macclesfield have come together with local residents to launch the campaign and its website, WoodfordFarewell2012.Local Conservative Parliamentary Candidates Ben Jeffreys (Cheadle) and David Rutley (Macclesfield) are leading the campaign, alongside Woodford Councillor Bryan Leck and local resident Tom Newey, who has also set up a Facebook group.

Ben Jeffreys said "As a history teacher living in Bramhall, I have always been both interested in, and proud of, the history of our area. It would be a wonderful tribute to the Woodford Aerodrome's rich past, and to all who have worked there, if we can secure a farewell event in 2012”.

David Rutley commented: “I think that such an event would be a fitting farewell and a mark of respect to all the people who have worked at the Aerodrome and the huge contribution it has made over the decades. It would have great appeal to all those interested in the proud history of the Aerodrome.”

Tom Newey added “My granddad worked in the paint shop at BAE for over 20 years and my dad still works there on the Nimrod. I remember going to the Airshows and seeing the brilliant displays. We need to celebrate the history of Woodford one last time before it is lost forever.”