Recording Memories

As a child growing up in Doncaster in the 80’s and 90’s I have very fond memories of been taken to the old airport club on a summers evening watching the single engine planes and gliders take off and land, while my brother and I ran in and out of the old hangers playing.

The old Airport plays a huge role in Doncaster’s history the original airport was based at Doncaster Racecourse but relocated almost over the road in 1916, the airport or RAF Doncaster as it became known operated during the second world war. In October 1947 the airport operated as a reserve flying school to train RAF reserve pilots. In 1960 civil aviation returned to Doncaster initially as a gliding club. With the reopening of the airport South Yorkshire Flying school was formed in 1976, flying mainly Cessna 150 and 172’s, the club stayed until the airport closed on Christmas Day 1992. After the airport closed it was redeveloped into what we now know as Lakeside, a monument to honour all aviators civilian and RAF pilots is placed on the island at Lakeside near to where the original control tower stood.

At the far side of the original airport now stands Lakeside Village Lakeside originally the Yorkshire Outlet which opened on the 15th August 1996. Just behind stands Keepmoat Stadium which officially opened in 2007 home to Doncaster Rovers.

The photos you can see are on the mound over looking Lakeside Village and surrounding buildings. To the left of Lakeside village you can see Keepmoat Stadium.