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Home > Wiltshire > Shrewton > Bustard Inn

Bustard Inn

Date of photo: 2012

Picture source: Wendy Lawrence


 
The Bustard Inn was situated on Great Bustard Road. Originally a coaching inn (400-500 years old) it is now a therapy centre run by a charity called God Unlimited (GUL).
 
In 1863 it was used as the headquarters by prominent members of The Old Hawking Club (which later gave rise to the current day British Falconers Club) when they went rook Hawking on Salisbury Plain.
Mick Smith (February 2018)
 
Beatrice Shilling was a pioneering engineer in the field of aeronautical research, but struggled with the blocked mentality of her bosses. The Ram Jet project which they are celebrating in the photo below was shut down by her new boss Arnold Hall who was trying to "reduce costs". Their design for a supersonic jet only progressed to model. It was tested and a scale model flew at mach1.38 before being ditched near the Scilly Isles. Their Model looked exactly like the Bell XS-1
Roger Newnham (April 2025)
 

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Name Dates Comments
Simon Myall 1982 The 3 Para had been stationed at Tidworth in 82 and frequently visited the Bustard. After the Falklands war many Paratroopers brought back war trophies and photo for the Bustard which had been placed at the bar. The landlady at that time had been Elaine.
 
Other Photos

Ram Jet team at The Bustard, 1951

Picture source: Roger Newnham

Picture source: Hania Franek