Help save RAF bicester

[gpn01]

How so? Has something changed recently ?

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

From Bicester Garth gazette;

Councillors Agree Conservation
Status For RAF Bicester
Proposals to protect the historic RAF Bicester site from housing
development have been agreed by Cherwell
District Council.
RAF Bicester, where World War Two bombers were once based, already
has special status in the eyes of planners and now the Cherwell District
Council has confirmed its historic status.
The site was originally developed as a bomber base in 1925 and has
been described by English Heritage as the best pre-1945 example in
the country.
“We want to make sure the historic buildings are maintained as
they represent a significant part of our national heritage,” says Cllr
Michael Gibbard, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing.
Councillors on Cherwell's scrutiny panel received a presentation from a
group called Bomber Command Heritage on ideas for creating a
heritage centre on the site, with historic aircraft and the possibility of
some use as a working museum airfield.
The council's Executive confirmed the historic status of the site and,
while recognising that some development may be needed to maintain
and support the buildings, it has firmly ruled out any idea of using

RAF Bicester for housing

[Al R]

Given its location and access, Bicester should be put to practical use rehabilitating injured servicemen, housing socially vulnerable servicemen (why wait for Chelsea?), teaching tradition aeroplane skills, being a centre for cadets and for remembering the Bomber Command sacrifice in WW2.

[taxydual]

What a bloody good idea!

Well done, Al R

[gpn01]

That's not news - meeting was 17 November. Wonder if it'll change following decision on eco-town no longer happening at Weston-on-the-Green.

[Al R]

Bomber Command Heritage should take a pat on its back for all its resilience and determination. Although I dissagree about one or two aspects of how it intends to move forward, what it has done, quietly and without fuss is nothing short of amazing.

Bicester needn't be stuck in a time warp.. preserved, conserved.. yes, but with a modern spin and with a proud nod to its past. If you go to places like Northwick Business Centre near RAF Moreton in the Marsh you can see what can be done. Bisto's heritage, its facilities and its proximity to the Silverstone triangle makes it the perfect spot to also be put to productive commercial use use our servicemen's skills and attributes, historic aviation, apprenticeships, learning, passing on knowledge and historic motorsport, as they move into a potentially hostile and incertain civvy career.

Northwick is a small place with a charm all of its own. It started life as an American army hospital, became a Polish refugee camp for more than 25 years after WW2 and has been a thriving business centre ever since. Companies on the site range from metal workers to shoe makers, antique restorers to stonemasons, to car restorers and vintage racers. Somewhere like Bicester could replicate that success on a grander scale. It could give a viable platform to those servicemen in need who wish to work together the chance to present those skills and at the same time preserve the memories of those who died for us in the bombing campaigns of WW2.

[Double Zero]

Moderators

Like other people have mentioned, I posted a completely inoffensive, constructive post here, now it has gone; I also posted on the thread regarding the use of Israeli airburst phosphorous shells in Gaza as did others.

That entire thread was locked and has now gone; OK if what I and others said might be too contentious then of course delete those posts, but the thread as a whole was valuable information.

Censorship by one person or a small group...tends to lead to bad things, judging by history.

I notice the 'contact us' option has disappeared from the banner options.

I was also going to ask how to pay up & have a logo on my username ( I wanted to make it clear 'Double Zero' refers to Dick Dastardley's car, nothing to do with 007 pretensions) .

[bc_heritage]

First off, Double Zero, you are right, so to the 'Moderators', if its not offensive let it stay, as everyone's voice should be heard.

Secondly, Really Annoyed...'living in the past', is also known by people as something to do with a subject called 'History'? Excuse my sarcasm! Some people hate History, that's fine, I know I did in me School days!

Thirdly, have a read of the following links. (if I have not messed up!)
Conservation Area Appraisal
http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/media/pdf...ester_-_lr.pdf
Conservation Area Executive Report
http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/media/pdf...ive_Report.pdf

As Tyres has mentioned, things seem to be looking good for the drome! 2009 should be another year when things carry on moving foreward, no doubt slowly, but with positive vibes in the air!

A massive thanks to everyone that is showing support for the project!

[Chugalug2]

On Saturday 24th January 2009 Bomber Command Heritage’s first Public Meeting was held at St Edburg’s Hall, Bicester. BCH played to a packed house and the event was deemed to be a great success.
National coverage via the Daily Telegraph here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4337232/NEEDS-PIC-Fight-to-save-WW2-bomber-base-for-the-nation.html
and via the BBC here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7848931.stm
Local Press Coverage via the Bicester Review can be seen here

[spectre150]

According to the latest Bicester Review (front page story no less), a buyer has been found for the 'domestic site' (ie the one over the road from the airfield). Good news for those seeking to preseve this piece of history. Sorry I cant give m ore details - I am typing this at work and the paper is at home

[BEagle]

See: Old RAF Bicester site sold off to developers (From Oxford Mail) or Old RAF Bicester site sold off to developers (From Bicester Advertiser) .

[airborne_artist]

Good old MoD - the indoor range at Caversfield (used for testing personal ballistic protection) was only completed a few years ago, and now it's no longer available. There were other testing facilities installed at great expense as well, which then were dismantled/scrapped.

[Always a Sapper]

I'm not surprised the Domestic Site has been sold, it was the better of the two built sites and it should'nt be too difficult for the developer to get a return on the asking price either. (once they get rid of the stream that runs under one of the main buildings that is... big one, next to the old mourge, could be Bldg 50).

Should be interesting to see what they do with the Ballistic Range mind... I hope they don't just unbolt the steel plates lining the thing without getting some serious heavy lift gear in first ....

The place never really rose to it's full potential following the incredibly stupid move of the clothing and kit boffins from Colchester, we lost a world beating inhouse resource there btw as a lot of the 'brains' just feked off to industry.

The labs were all set up, spankers new kit etce most of which were never used (all those brand new Fume Cupboards in Bldg 16 anyone?). Apart from the range that is... firing an old 'bang stick' (SLR) in an indoor, steel lined 25 mtr range... rumour was they were even licensed for .50

Shame they didnt find a use for the Tech Site as a part of the move, then all that nasty asb**t*s that infestates the place would have been removed and it would have been maintained over the years instead of being put to wind and weather (ignored more like, so it falls down and we can sell it easier... but I never said that right... RIGHT).

[airborne_artist]

(all those brand new Fume Cupboards in Bldg 16 anyone?)

Destined for the skip, I expect. I was working in that very building up to four weeks ago.

[bc_heritage]

Follow us at www.twitter.com/bc_heritage (Please paste link into your browser)

Just to let everyone know we are still going strong!

It's a bit of a , but we continue to strive for our goal of having a vibrant Heritage Education Centre/Museum on such an exemplar site of an aerodrome, and as mentioned elsewhere on PPRUNE..It is the best preserved 1930s grass ex-RAF airfield on the planet, so spread the word!

Nuff said eh?!

For more info about becoming a Volunteer visit our website, or Twit.ter (Some reason PPRUNE does not allow links there?)

Huge Thanks to people all over the WORLD that are showing support! Your kind words are most encouraging

[Chugalug2]

Thanks for the update, BCH, always heartening to hear of the good work you guys are doing and the exciting plans you have for RAF Bicester. It is especially appropriate that your post coincides with a thread informing us of the sad news that Ray Grayston, one of the very few remaining Dam-Busters, has died. Both postings remind us of the very great debt we owe to all who served in Bomber Command in WW2 and the very heavy losses they sustained in order that we later generations be born free. Let us hope that the proposed Bomber Command Memorial in London be completed before they are all gone. BCH Bicester I fear will take rather longer but hopefully what is currently being done and the plans for what it will become will gladden the hearts of those who are still with us. We can never repay the debt we owe but at least as a nation we can express our gratitude and commemorate their sacrifice more fittingly than we have.

[bc_heritage]

Hi All,\it's been a while!

Hi All, Just to keep you all informed of what we are trying to do you can now follow our updates that we post to both Twitter and our Faceboook Page.

BCH (BC_Heritage) on Twitter

Bomber Command Heritage | Facebook

May I also take this opportunity to wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks So much!

[Chugalug2]

Thank you for keeping us abreast of the tireless work of Bomber Command Heritage, bch. Now that the London Memorial looks at last to be about to happen let us hope that RAF Bicester is seen as its perfect complement so that both may suitably honour the tremendous sacrifice made by that Command in WW2. Another of its members has sadly passed away in recent days, Bill Foxley. He might have found later fame in the Battle of Britain film, but he was a BC Nav and sustained his dreadful burns while attempting to save a fellow crew member from the raging inferno that was his crashed Wellington bomber. Future generations must learn of the heroic struggle that was the WW2 Bombing Campaign, and the dreadful cost that it incurred. It has taken an inordinately long time for this nation to begin to take proper cognisance of the debt it owes these brave men, let us hope now that it makes amends by bequeathing RAF Bicester as a permanent national Bomber Command Heritage Site to ensure that debt is commemorated in perpetuity.
A Merry Christmas to all at BCH, and may 2011 be a truly Happy one for you at Bicester!

[bc_heritage]

Fund-Raiser for B.C.H - An Evening with Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC

Fund-Raiser In Aid of B.C.H - An Evening with Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC, Chairman of the Bomber Command Association, 22nd October.

I do hope I don't get clobbered by the Mods here for promoting our latest Fund-Raiser, as it has been a few months since our last post here! This year has seen a local company, M40Offices, kindly donate office space as our HQ, a stone's throw from Bicester Aerodrome, so 2011 is coming good for us at last!

For further information please visit our website. Bomber Command Heritage Fund-Raiser

Thanks so much!

[John Botwood]

As a well known patriot once said:

Lie In The Dark And Listen

Lie in the dark and listen.
It's clear tonight, so they're flying high -
Hundreds of them: thousands perhaps,
Riding the icy moonlit sky -
Men, machinery, bombs and maps,
Altimeters and guns and charts,
Coffee, sandwiches, fleece-lined boots,
Bones and muscles and minds and hearts,
English saplings with English roots
Deep in the earth they've left below.
Lie in the dark and let them go.
Lie in the dark and listen.

Lie in the dark and listen.
They're going over in waves and waves,
High above villages, hills and streams,
Country churches and little graves,
And little citizens' worried dreams.
Very soon they'll have reached the bays
And cliffs and sands where they used to be
Taken for summer holidays.
Lie in the dark and let them go.
Theirs is a world we'll never know.
Lie in the dark and listen.

Lie in the dark and listen.
City magnates and steel contractors,
Factory workers and politicians,
Soft, hysterical little actors,
Ballet dancers, reserved musicians,
Safe in your warm, civilian beds,
Count your profits and count your sheep,
Life is passing above your heads.
Just turn over and try to sleep.
Lie in the dark and let them go.
There's one debt you'll forever owe.
Lie in the dark and listen.

Noel Coward 1943

John B