SKYDIVING is to return to Shobdon after a break of 28 years.

Skydive Shobdon will start running skydives from the Shobdon Aerodrome on April 7.

Although a new name in the area Skydive Shobdon is the sister drop zone of the UK’s longest running skydive and parachute drop zone up in Cockerham Lancashire operated by Black Knights Parachute Centre.

The Black Knights drop zone has been operating in Cockerham near Lancaster for more than 50 years.

Chief instructor Paul Yeoman said: “We are obviously really excited to be starting up operations again in the area and look forward to welcoming those new to the sport as well as experienced skydivers, who now won’t have to travel as far to partake.”

Hereford has a rich history in skydiving and parachuting with the Hereford Parachute Club formed in 1963 by the 22nd SAS Regiment at the request of locals who wanted to start the sport in the area.

The club successfully operated part-time until 1976 when it changed over to full-time operation and continued to do so until it finished operations at Shobdon in 1990 and moved to Staverton Airfield in Gloucester and operated a split drop zone.

This was a part-time operation again until it finally closed its doors in 1992.

Skydive Shobdon will initially be operating Friday through to Sunday with two offerings of Tandem Skydives of 7K Ground Rush experience along with the current full height 10K jump.

They have invested in a new automated booking system within the website, where customers can book direct for individual tandem skydives, group and charity events.