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Hampshire Chamber Partners On ‘Behind-The-Scenes’ Air Festival



Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the organisers of the county’s newest airshow on a ‘behind-the-scenes’ networking opportunity for members and other businesses.


The inaugural Hampshire Air Festival is an aviation-themed, family-friendly weekend designed to celebrate 'The Age of Flight' through flying displays, static and heritage aircraft, pyro aerobatics, drone displays, fireworks and a STEM learning area.


It takes place at Thruxton Aerodrome near Andover on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.

On the eve of the show, Friday 11 September, Hampshire Chamber will host a behind-the-scenes networking day at the aerodrome starting at 10.30am.


Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chair of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“This is a prime opportunity for representatives from our members and other businesses to meet, connect, have fun and potentially collaborate on business ideas in an atmosphere that breaks away from the usual."

“It is networking with a real difference, bringing the business community together in a unique aviation setting. We’ll be surrounded by aircraft, equipment and aviation industry themes that reflect the power of engineering, scientific insight and innovation. There will be a keynote speech, topical business presentations, scope to ask questions of pilots and other aviation experts and the chance to see aircraft landing. We hope it will inspire fresh thinking and new connections.”


Festival organiser Jonathan Moore, founder and Chief Executive of owner Montserrat Events, said:

“Thanks to our exciting new partnership with Hampshire Chamber, we anticipate business professionals from across the region will attend what promises to be a meaningful and enjoyable networking day with an aviation theme.”

Joining members from Hampshire Chamber for the networking day will be representatives from fellow event partners Omni Business Development Network and Total Business Network.


Thruxton Aerodrome began as a Second World War airfield, built in the early 1940s for fighter, transport and glider operations. When the war ended, flying activity shifted to training and general aviation, and the airfield moved into civilian hands.


Motor racing arrived soon after. In 1950 motorcycles began using the old runways and perimeter roads, followed by car racing in 1952. The wartime surfaces didn’t hold up for long, so the site was redeveloped during the late 1960s into a purpose-built circuit. The new track opened in 1968 and quickly became known as one of the fastest circuits in Britain.


Today Thruxton carries both histories. The aerodrome continues to operate for aviation training and private flying, while the circuit remains a major fixture in British motorsport.


For more information on the Hampshire Air Festival visit here.


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Contractor Clegg Construction is inviting members of the public to a behind-the-scenes tour of its £13.5m Peterborough College development.


The company is building a new three-storey Centre for Green Technology for the Inspire Education Group at the main college campus, off Park Crescent. On the afternoon of Wednesday 20th March – as part of Open Doors 2024 – Clegg is working with IEG to invite young people and career changers who are considering working in the construction industry to go behind the scenes.


Delivered by Build UK, Open Doors offers a unique chance for the public to visit live construction sites, offices, factories and training centres across the UK, and discover how the communities they live in are shaped and constructed by a fantastic industry with a diverse range of career paths to offer.


Open Doors takes place between Monday 18th and Saturday 23rd March 2024, and Clegg’s Peterborough College site will be open for visitors on the afternoon of Wednesday 20th March, with two visitor slots each lasting up to an hour. Bookings are now available on the Open Doors website and spaces are set to fill up quickly.


Roger Bancroft, project manager at Clegg Construction, said:

“We are proud to be building a new Centre for Green Technology for Peterborough College and are excited to be getting involved with the Open Doors scheme once again. It is a great platform for us to showcase the hard work that goes into building these landmarks."

“This March, people will be able to visit the inspiring Centre for Green Technology, which is a low carbon project, and which will make a real difference to the future - training the next generation to work in green technologies and modern methods of construction.”


Open Doors seeks to inspire young people and career changers of all ages to consider and explore a dynamic and exciting career in the construction industry.


The event is delivered in partnership with CITB and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and supported by Industry Partners Canary Wharf Group, the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), Go Construct, Kier, People’s Partnership, Sunbelt Rentals and Willmott Dixon, and Community Partners the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and Skills Development Scotland, and Media Partner Building Magazine.


Suzannah Nichol, Build UK Chief Executive, said:

“Many young people don’t know what they want to do when they leave school, so we have a fantastic opportunity to capture their imagination and show them just what they can achieve – whether they are considering college, an apprenticeship, or university."

“Open Doors also encourages career changers and members of the public to experience a “live” construction project in their local community. We all know the impact this can have and the powerful first impression it can make.”


Visitors to Clegg’s Peterborough College scheme will see the recently poured first floor slab at the site, with preparations for constructing the second floor. Onsite that week will be project manager Roger Bancroft, alongside the reinforced concrete contractor, the quantity surveyor and the design manager.

The session itinerary will include a health and safety briefing, a project overview, details on how Clegg Construction works with the college, and a site tour.

To book visit here.


Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects.


The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors.


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