Kenley 2015
Thread Starter
Kenley 2015
I am having a 'day off' from 'rag dragging down west' on Sept 15 2015 and coming back to my No 1 spiritual Home ( Kenley ) for a Kenley 75 Walk.
I was hoping to fly in for this, but the way things are with all the 'crats' this is unlikely so i will prob use Redhill (No 2 spiritual home) for the trip.
If there are any former Cadets from 450 or Staff Cadets from 615 (59-73 ish) out there who want to meet up then will be pleased to see you.
As the 2015 Air Day is now cancelled i am having my own trip back down memory lane to revisit this historic battleground where i had my first ever flight in 61.
In those days the Airfield and Camp were still in their former wartime state,and operating as a functioning RAF Station with all normal facilities.
Regular powered flying ceased in 59,but 615 Gliding School stayed and is still there (Well Done).
As i lived locally (Kenley Village) i grew to know the place very well and have now produced a current aerial view of the site showing the position of the demolished buildings.
Anyone interested pm me for more info,and about the Kenley Raid picture.
PP
I was hoping to fly in for this, but the way things are with all the 'crats' this is unlikely so i will prob use Redhill (No 2 spiritual home) for the trip.
If there are any former Cadets from 450 or Staff Cadets from 615 (59-73 ish) out there who want to meet up then will be pleased to see you.
As the 2015 Air Day is now cancelled i am having my own trip back down memory lane to revisit this historic battleground where i had my first ever flight in 61.
In those days the Airfield and Camp were still in their former wartime state,and operating as a functioning RAF Station with all normal facilities.
Regular powered flying ceased in 59,but 615 Gliding School stayed and is still there (Well Done).
As i lived locally (Kenley Village) i grew to know the place very well and have now produced a current aerial view of the site showing the position of the demolished buildings.
Anyone interested pm me for more info,and about the Kenley Raid picture.
PP
"So, with the knowledge gained we re-grouped and aimed for a BofB airshow in September 2015. Again we were about 70% of the way towards this event until we were recently informed by the RAF that they were refusing us permission to hold an event at Kenley due to the "local use requirements" for the site (no powered flying at OR in the airspace over Kenley). This restriction will apply for the forseeable future (so no airshows) at Kenley."
I am confused - can someone explain this in English. Never heard of such a restriction before. or is this just officialdom being "difficult"?
Then I found this bit further down
during 2014, the CO of all RAF gliding schools changed and the new postholder adopted a negative attitude towards the event (risk management) and it was he who pulled the plug on us in October
Hmm, sounds like "Air Cadet Gliding"
I am confused - can someone explain this in English. Never heard of such a restriction before. or is this just officialdom being "difficult"?
Then I found this bit further down
during 2014, the CO of all RAF gliding schools changed and the new postholder adopted a negative attitude towards the event (risk management) and it was he who pulled the plug on us in October
Hmm, sounds like "Air Cadet Gliding"
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I should have liked to join you for a walk around the site and perhaps several pints at the Wattenden but alas I shall be in the Lake District on 15th September...
I believe there will be a balbo of Spitfires and Hurricanes taking a tour around BoB related sites in Kent, Sussex and Surrey on 18th August - can't slope off work for the day (only member of my team not on holiday!
) but I might take a break and zip down (up!) to Kenley if it is included on the flight plan.
I believe there will be a balbo of Spitfires and Hurricanes taking a tour around BoB related sites in Kent, Sussex and Surrey on 18th August - can't slope off work for the day (only member of my team not on holiday!
) but I might take a break and zip down (up!) to Kenley if it is included on the flight plan.
Thread Starter
Kenley Walk
Slight change of plans due to some extra 'rag dragging' down west and also having to give some 'Kenley talks' to various groups including the RAF at St Mawgan.
However this is only going to delay my visit by a matter of days so the plan is now to be there from the 25th Sept.I have had to prepare a power point show to go with the talk so if anyone is interested i can bring that along.It is sad for me (and Frelon no doubt) that the camp and those wonderful red brick buildings are destroyed, but at least the actual airfield is still intact and little changed from 1940.I could never understand how the 'numties' removed most of the e-pens including one that featured in the famous 18th Aug raid photo (complete with Spitfire) and one wonders what they were thinking about (not much probably).
Will contact the Portcullis club to see if they are interested in the show.
Any 615 ers pleased to see you PC. Is that a better date for you Treds.
However this is only going to delay my visit by a matter of days so the plan is now to be there from the 25th Sept.I have had to prepare a power point show to go with the talk so if anyone is interested i can bring that along.It is sad for me (and Frelon no doubt) that the camp and those wonderful red brick buildings are destroyed, but at least the actual airfield is still intact and little changed from 1940.I could never understand how the 'numties' removed most of the e-pens including one that featured in the famous 18th Aug raid photo (complete with Spitfire) and one wonders what they were thinking about (not much probably).
Will contact the Portcullis club to see if they are interested in the show.
Any 615 ers pleased to see you PC. Is that a better date for you Treds.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Sounds perfect, particularly if it's the weekend - I'll be trying to avoid getting roped in to an office move!
Kenley Flies......
Just found this in the Frelon archives. It is the cover from the Programme to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain at RAF Kenley.
Inside the Programme there is a reprint from the Hardest Day by Alfred Price - entitled The Lunchtime Engagement.
I trust the Jobsworths and elf&safety brigade appreciate the efforts that these brave young men and women went to to make the world a better place........
Inside the Programme there is a reprint from the Hardest Day by Alfred Price - entitled The Lunchtime Engagement.
I trust the Jobsworths and elf&safety brigade appreciate the efforts that these brave young men and women went to to make the world a better place........
Last edited by Frelon; 23rd Aug 2015 at 17:57. Reason: Speeling!
Thread Starter
Kenley Sept 2016
It would be great to see some of the original '615 ers' from the 60-70's even though we can not fly in to our old 'home'.
Classic B O E organisation (that is no organisation just turn up) we can use the Wattendon or Portcullis if open.
Kenley has a 'magic' not easily forgotten, and was a peaceful Surrey common that became a battlefield.
Ok chaps get the 'bush telegraph' going and get them in
Pobjoy Pete
Classic B O E organisation (that is no organisation just turn up) we can use the Wattendon or Portcullis if open.
Kenley has a 'magic' not easily forgotten, and was a peaceful Surrey common that became a battlefield.
Ok chaps get the 'bush telegraph' going and get them in
Pobjoy Pete
Thread Starter
Kenley 2016
Just to get things going I am putting some names from the mid 60-70's staff cadet division that come to mind (some whom went on to become Cat instructors, Joined the RAF, or flew commercially)
D Taylor P Channon A White K Farnfield C Jessson N Watson Phil loos (he of high mag glasses fame) B Dowling I Harry. Frelon can add the names from his group and CW and DJN can come along even though they were never s-cadets. In fact we may even make then honoury s-cadets as they were not too bad.
AW is local, KF is near Andrewsfield I think, CJ has a Stampe (poss Headcorn), CW (Poland), PC (West Country), DJN (West Country).
Frelon is back in the UK nowadays and can relate tales of shooting the Austin with a bow and arrow. Pobjoy will bring his black book of incidents along before it goes to print. Treds can come along and marvel at what went on !!!
PP
D Taylor P Channon A White K Farnfield C Jessson N Watson Phil loos (he of high mag glasses fame) B Dowling I Harry. Frelon can add the names from his group and CW and DJN can come along even though they were never s-cadets. In fact we may even make then honoury s-cadets as they were not too bad.
AW is local, KF is near Andrewsfield I think, CJ has a Stampe (poss Headcorn), CW (Poland), PC (West Country), DJN (West Country).
Frelon is back in the UK nowadays and can relate tales of shooting the Austin with a bow and arrow. Pobjoy will bring his black book of incidents along before it goes to print. Treds can come along and marvel at what went on !!!
PP
Kenley Walk 2015
Hi Pobjoy
Are we not getting a bit ahead of ourselves, you seem to be referring to Kenley 2016!
Can we get the Kenley Walk 2015 done first?
Do you have an actual date and time for this so that we can do some planning?
Rgds Frelon
Are we not getting a bit ahead of ourselves, you seem to be referring to Kenley 2016!
Can we get the Kenley Walk 2015 done first?
Do you have an actual date and time for this so that we can do some planning?
Rgds Frelon
Kenley Walk 1959
I went to Kenley County Primary School, but lived in Foxon Close on Buxton Ln. Sometimes used to spend my bus fare on sweets and walk home instead - up Whyteleafe Hill and then cut through the woods to the airfield. Always found 'stuff' around the airfield perimeter - some of it was quite dangerous...but not to a 7 yr old. 
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Are we not getting a bit ahead of ourselves, you seem to be referring to Kenley 2016
Kenley Walk 2015
Well Pobjoy only two weeks to go, but when exactly?
I have to arrange the hire of my electric Zimmer frame for the day and get the batteries charged!
Probably better to aim for the Friday then we may be able to watch (take part) in Surrey Hills gliding. No point in going over the weekend as the Air Cadets are still grounded and there will be nothing to see and nobody to talk to. As I understand it many of the instructors have found other things to do at weekends.
Latest news on the airfield is that the general public seem to have taken back control of the airfield since the Air Cadet gliders are not seen at weekends. Dog walkers being the worst offenders, they conveniently forget their poop bags and leave their dog mess all over the airfield!! Our planned walk should therefore be confined to the peri track - Frelon's eyes are not quite as sharp as they used to be.
Can you remember the go cart that was built by Dave Manley and George Nunn for non flying days? It was built using MkIII wheels and tyres. It was a great mystery in the Stores why 615 was going through more MkIII tyres than any of the other gliding schools - the other mystery is that when our tyres were sent in for replacement they all had a flat area where the spinning go cart had worn the tread away!!
Those were the days
I have to arrange the hire of my electric Zimmer frame for the day and get the batteries charged!
Probably better to aim for the Friday then we may be able to watch (take part) in Surrey Hills gliding. No point in going over the weekend as the Air Cadets are still grounded and there will be nothing to see and nobody to talk to. As I understand it many of the instructors have found other things to do at weekends.
Latest news on the airfield is that the general public seem to have taken back control of the airfield since the Air Cadet gliders are not seen at weekends. Dog walkers being the worst offenders, they conveniently forget their poop bags and leave their dog mess all over the airfield!! Our planned walk should therefore be confined to the peri track - Frelon's eyes are not quite as sharp as they used to be.
Can you remember the go cart that was built by Dave Manley and George Nunn for non flying days? It was built using MkIII wheels and tyres. It was a great mystery in the Stores why 615 was going through more MkIII tyres than any of the other gliding schools - the other mystery is that when our tyres were sent in for replacement they all had a flat area where the spinning go cart had worn the tread away!!
Those were the days
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The Wattenden Arms
I wonder if any of you can help with this appeal?
The new landlady of the Wattenden Arms, Old Lodge Lane is keen to find some information about the pub that was opened in about 1850 and was used during WW2 as variously a kitchen and Naffi for the airmen/troops based at RAF Kenley.
Originally there were two bars, presumably Saloon & Public, but at some time after 1945 they were merged into the one we have today.
Has anyone recollections of this? We would like to here of your memories and any pictures would be helpful.
Many thanks
Andy McIlvenna
Wattenden Bungalow
Old Lodge Lane.
The new landlady of the Wattenden Arms, Old Lodge Lane is keen to find some information about the pub that was opened in about 1850 and was used during WW2 as variously a kitchen and Naffi for the airmen/troops based at RAF Kenley.
Originally there were two bars, presumably Saloon & Public, but at some time after 1945 they were merged into the one we have today.
Has anyone recollections of this? We would like to here of your memories and any pictures would be helpful.
Many thanks
Andy McIlvenna
Wattenden Bungalow
Old Lodge Lane.
I lived in Old Lodge Lane throughout the war at No. 248'. Re the 18th of August I recall being rushed to the top of our garden (quite a steep slope) by my father after the "All Clear" had sounded to see the smoke rising from the airfield. Didn't visit the Wattenden until 1954ish' and can only recall a large bar to the right after coming through the main entrance door off Old Lodge Lane.
