Kenley fence
Hi Chev
Kenley Airfield was built on land that was a City of London Common.
This is one a series of 'commons' that were intended to provide an open space for those that lived and worked in built up area's.
Kenley came into use for the 'realm' as an Aircraft acceptance park during the great war and the RAF Kept it on afterwards with a lease.
During the pre WW2
'expansion' the airfield was extended towards the west and the original Hayes Lane rerouted.(runways e-pens and peri-trac built).It was understood that Kenley could stay in RAF use for as long as required and even when fixed wing power flying ceased (about 1959) the camp and airfield continued albeit with the ATC (615GS) being the only flying unit.
Fast fwd to recent times when the City of London decided to remove the original boundary fence and encourage 'walkers' around the boundary which became halfway across the peri-trac. Various useless and expensive fencing options were mooted but all proved unworkable. Surrey Hills maintained a presence midweek; however the 'great pause' removed the 'busy' w-end element and therefore the public no doubt considered it fair game to 'roam'.
Kenley is now under the auspices of 2FTS so it is up to them to restore some sort of order by dealing with the City of London to achieve a sensible situation that allows access but stops 'wandering' across the operational area. Suggest Staff Cadet 'snipers' could be a new option. The other disgrace is that Kenley 'was' the most complete Battle of Britain airfield in original condition, and should have been preserved. The City of London destroyed many historical aspects and then 'listed' the ruins !!!!. From a ATC winch launch gliding aspect the airfield dimensions limited an average Mk3 launch to about 800 feet (3 mins) and cable breaks could be 'challenging'; however flying from such a famous location within sight of the capital it protected and with Croydon and Biggin Hill as neighbours there is no finer place for a Cadet to start his aviation 'Venture Adventure'.