Upavon

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Upavon is a rural village in the English County of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portions of the River Avon which runs from the north to the south through the village. It is situated about 4 miles south of Pewsey, about 10 miles southeast of the market town of Devizes, and about 20 miles north of the cathedral city; Salisbury. The A345 and A342 roads run through the village. Most of Upavon is between 90 and 100 meters above sea level.

[edit] Facilities

The village has two public houses, corner shop, petrol station and garage, Doctors surgery, a primary school, a fine church, and a village hall.

[edit] The former RAF Upavon

Upavon airfield, now officially called Trenchard Lines, and previously RAF Upavon, is situated about 1½ mile east of Upavon village. The site was originally constructed around 1912 as a Royal Flying Corps (RFC) base, and became the home of the RFC Central Flying School on 19 June 1912, later to be the RAF Central Flying School upon formation of the Royal Air Force. Upavon is referred to as the birthplace where the Royal Air Force was formed.

In recent years the main function of the military base has changed, and it is now largely an MoD administrative centre, and home to admin HQs of the British Army. Today the airfield is still used by the RAF from time to time but is now most frequently associated with regular Glider activity. With the only permanent RAF unit based there being No. 622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, providing glider training to members of the Air Cadet Organisation.

The Army Gliding Club also uses the airfield in co-operation with 622 VGS.