From my Username, it’s pretty obvious where my interests lie :rolleyes:
I’m posting this message to appeal for your assistance in preserving a vital piece of our aviation history. On Tuesday 3 July, on BBC2 at 9pm, will be broadcast an episode of ‘Restoration’. For those of you who don’t know, this programme features three dilapidated properties competing for funds to restore them to their former glory. The winner of each regional episode goes to the final, the winner of which will be awarded a large amount of money for this purpose (last year it was £3.5 million, but it depends on the number of votes over the series).
One of the properties featured on Tuesday is Bawdsey Transmitter Block. Bawdsey is the home of British radar, where development work was carried out from 1936 on this war-winning technology. It was a vitally important research station, on a par with Bletchley Park for its importance to the history of this nation, and was also the first radar station in the chain of such stations which protected Britain during the war. These radar stations played a vital role in winning the Battle of Britain.
You can play a part in helping to save this important building for posterity by voting for Bawdsey Transmitter Block (on Tuesday and Wednesday, when the phone lines close) by calling 09011 332222. The call costs 50 pence, 37 pence of which goes into the restoration fund. 50p isn’t much to save an important piece of our aviation history – without radar there would be no microwave meals or cheap overseas flights – so it affects us all. Please spend a few pence (or even more – you can call as many times as you like – why not phone ten times? What’s a fiver when it comes to supporting our aviation heritage?) and help save Bawdsey Transmitter Block.
By: RadarArchive - 3rd August 2004 at 22:29
As a radar historian, I just want to say a big thanks to everyone who voted for Bawdsey. Fingers crossed we’ve achieved something special this evening.
By: RadarArchive - 3rd August 2004 at 22:28
There are a few original wartime Chain Home transmitter towers still surviving. One is still in its original location at Stenigot in Lincolnshire and is now scheduled. There is another at Chelmsford at the Marconi works there, having been removed from the station at Canewdon many years ago. I understand Marconi want to get rid of the tower – perhaps the funds from Restoration could pay for it to be dismantled, restored and re-erected at Bawdsey? There are a few towers at Dover, but these are not originally from there. There are other towers which have been cut down, one at Great Bromley is Essex is just the lower part of the tower I believe. So there are peraps a handful, but not many. They’re certainly rarer than airworthy Spitfires! 😮
By: Septic - 3rd August 2004 at 22:08
Just cast my votes.
what a shame that the last remaining Bawdsy mast was lost only three or so years ago.
Out of interest, do any of the original masts survive.
Septic.
By: Whitley_Project - 3rd August 2004 at 21:21
It’s on now everyone!!
Please vote 🙂
By: RadarArchive - 3rd August 2004 at 17:48
Just a reminder – please spend a few pence and vote for Bawdsey Transmitter Block on 09011 332222 today or tomorrow, but why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?
By: RadarArchive - 2nd August 2004 at 19:24
Just so that anyone who wants to help knows what they are voting for, here’s a picture of the Transmitter Block. Do please vote for this worthy cause.
By: RadarArchive - 2nd August 2004 at 11:19
Yeah, sorry. Onset of senility, I think. :rolleyes:
The programme is indeed broadcast on 3 August, not 3 July. These changes of month seem to come round quicker and quicker all the time – it seems like they’re almost every four weeks, these days!
By: Whitley_Project - 2nd August 2004 at 11:01
Hi Ian
3 July – so it has already been broadcast? How did it go?
Elliott
By: RadarArchive - 2nd August 2004 at 10:16
For those of you interested, here’s what Bawdsey looked like during the war:
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August 2, 2004 at 10:15 am