RAF Woodvale
 

I was in Ainsdale at the weekend and the local rumour is that RAF Woodvale will close. As a former member of MUAS many moons ago I have happy memories of the airfield and the delights of the sand dunes at Formby.

Does anyone know anything?

Ah, me too!

Very fond memories as that is where I did my first air experience flying in Chippies, being in the RAF section of the CCF at that time.

Always looked forward to Wednesday afternoons! :ok:

I think we'll just have to wait and see as nothing is set in stone yet, from what I've heard it seems that just about every RAF station has it's own rumour about it closing at the moment!

Rumours of Woodvale's closure have circulated for years.

Does the rumour cite any sources, or is there any reason to suppose it is well founded? If not, I wouldn't take it too seriously.

Closing Woodvale would mean moving a UAS, VGS and also relocating the Police helicopter, am I correct? Does the rumour include where these are likely to move to?

I believe that the Police Helicopter is already planned to move - something to do with amalgamation of 2 Forces requirements. Not sure where it is moving to, though. This will, of course allow for the previously planned asylum seekers camp or low cost housing estate that the residents of Formby have been crying out for, to come to fruition!:E

Duncs:ok:

But it's one of the few RAF airfields on the west coast. Only Valley and the use of West Freugh are left. Handy and discreet to go over the water or work off the Morecambe Bay gas fields for the long haired ones.

Regards

Air pig

The Police Air Support Unit at Woodvale closed earlier this year. I believe some of the crews joined their ASU colleagues at Hawarden.

Im surprised Woodvale has escaped the bean counters for so long, I have fond memories of cleaning barf out the back seat of a chippi after aero's there bac in the 80's.....didnt put me of flying though.

I taught with the VGS not to long ago and there was talk then of them moving back to Sealand, they only moved for developers to move in but they didnt.

Airpig, the discreet ones use a nearby civi one occasionaly.

I'm not surprised at all. Assuming that the land is owned outright by the MoD, there has been almost no investment in the airfield for decades, it is bought and paid for and probably earns a small sum in rent (assuming that civil aviation remains part of the Woodvale skyline) It is also an effective buffer keeping joe public away from the Red Squirrels and protected toads associated with the adjacent sand dunes. I doubt it is within the Liverpool green belt if indeed such a thing remains and although any land has development potential, Woodvale is surrounded by hundreds of acres of farmland that could serve as housing estates if required. In short, it costs little to retain and all things being considered, would probably raise little if sold.

Tiger Mate,

I hope you're right, I have fond memories of the old OM accommodation blocks - Valiant, Victor and Vulcan - in the days when a batman bought us an early morning cuppa.

However, with the state of the MoD's finances, nothing appears sacred these days.

When I was there in the 90s the resident flying club paid for the repair of the roof of the one half of the hangar that they used - MOD wouldn't

That I am afraid is: Game,Set & Match :(

Perhaps we should drop the thread and let Woodvale slide gently beneath the radar where it belongs. ;)

What about the tried and tested key indicator of imminent sale; have vast sums of money been spent on the place recently?

1.3Vstall,
I've heard loads of rumours. TSR2 to be cancelled. And Nimrod MRA4. And I heard that RAF Kinloss may shut. And I hear there may be RAF and RN redundancies....

No sh!t Betty?

Do any of you who were at Woodvale remember the 'Sands' and 'Toad Hall ' night clubs at Ainsdale by the beach?

Daz

My father worked in ATC there in the 60s and I can remember spending a lovely day there for the whole of one of his shifts. Lots and lots of hares and other wildlife on the field as well as Natterjack Toads in the area. :)

Categorically: yes.

"Handy and discreet to go over the water or work off the Morecambe Bay gas fields for the long haired ones"
Blackpool
And don't forget Barrow is a s near as dammit a "secret" airfield as you could wish for