A trip up to East Anglia this week (again) saw me go to several places, loads of updates on my Aifields & Aviation Memorials website.
I went back to Watton to see the goings on there and it really is a very sad sight now. One hangar is demolished already, another one is less than a shell and there are two others looking in a very sorry state. Watton pictures here.
On the plus side, I took a flying trip to Rackheath to see the progress of the old Control Tower. Rackheath photos here. It really is looking good now and although it is going to be used as offices it is nice to see something being restored – especially as there is not much else left at Rackheath either!
Richard
By: REF - 30th May 2007 at 19:21
Hi John
thanks for the info on Bradwell Bay regarding the power station, I thought this government wanted more nuclear power!! Still it is interesting to hear this one is being decomissioned.
As for the CT site that you took the pictures on, I find it a great site for reference and will often look at it. As for the buildings behind the Control Tower at Bradwell Bay, they were still there when I was, sadly I forgot to take the photos! I got disracted chatting to the owner of the old tower!! I thing they are used for storage now and they have done some work to them if I remember correctly.
Richard
By: Carpetbagger - 29th May 2007 at 19:41
I see you’ve visited my old local airfield at Bradwell Bay. I took the photos on your ‘competitor’ site.
Nice to see what there is hasn’t deteriorated much since my visit, I thought they were my photos at first glance. Have the buildings behind the tower fallen down yet? they didn’t look that stable when I was there.
You may be interested to know that the power station is one of those now being decommissioned.
John
By: REF - 29th May 2007 at 19:23
Isn’t Bodney still on MOD land? It would be great to see it restored, along with some of the other surviving buildings there.
I was chatting to the farmer at Swannington while I was there and I think he said he uses the place for sand blasting now.
At least Rackheath is not being knocked down though or left to rot like so many others……..
Richard
By: Moggy C - 28th May 2007 at 12:47
I know, we can’t preserve everything. Like you the tower at Swannington has horrified me for years.
Bodney’s biggest problem is that it was a fighter station. Ten times as many aircrew were available to become rich veterans and donate to a bomber tower restoration.
But I had fears for Rackheath, and whilst we purists may baulk at it being turned into an office with plastic rainwater goods…
Moggy
By: REF - 28th May 2007 at 11:04
I guess you seen my photos from Bodney this week then Moggy?
There are so many old Towers around that need alot of TLC, but sadly I don’t think some of them will get the needed restoration.
Swannington, Norfolk is one of the worst I have seen so far on my travels. Little Snoring, Norfolk looks in reasonable condition but needs renovating. Shipdham, Norfolk is much the same. The list goes on really.
Richard
By: Moggy C - 28th May 2007 at 10:44
So yes, I guess that is the one that used to be full of panels. How brilliant to see it being restored.
How I wish somebody could do the same for Bodney.
Moggy
By: Mudmover - 28th May 2007 at 09:35
I remember in the mid-sixties the old control tower at Rackheath was the centre of a large scrapyard-used to go with my dad to get bits for his old Morris,Ford etc.Did you note REF,what was the old gatehouse on Green Lane West is now a block of flats,one of the last bits to go.
As for Watton-again in the sixties remember playing cricket for my school at Wymondham College and getting b@ll’7ked for watching the Canberras and not the ball in the outfield!
By: Moggy C - 28th May 2007 at 00:23
Is Rackheath the one that used to be full to the rafters with old car body panels. 1950s stuff?
Moggy
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May 28, 2007 at 12:02 am