The club members enjoyed another good lunch at the Expanse Hotel, after the Chairman, Len Collins, dealt with some official business.
Len then introduced the speaker, Mr Rick Hudson, who spoke to the meeting about the history of RAF Bempton, located on the cliffs just outside the village. Rick managed to tell the story not just from the military and technical viewpoint but also on the social and personal side. His presentation included many interesting and good quality photographs and video clips.
His first view of the site was as a small boy on a family outing from Hull to Filey. The site was an important radar site in the “chain low” network from its beginning in 1940 to its closure in 1964. The technology moved ahead so quickly that the aerials and other installations were being constantly improved over the years.
Much of the equipment was similar to that at RAF Holmpton, near Withernsea, which can be visited today by the public. The very large aerials installed during the Cold War period could be easily seen from off-site so were photographed by locals and visitors alike. These aerials had a range well above 100 miles, covering the coast from Tyneside to Norfolk. Their purpose was to warn of missile attacks coming from beyond the Iron Curtain.
The living accommodation was mainly by the village, now occupied by the Bempton caravan site. There the service men and women enjoyed fairly comfortable living conditions with many leisure time activities and sports to enjoy. The maximum complement was around 200. Rick showed a photograph of a team of airmen clearing very deep snow in 1956, so the life there was not plain sailing all the time. In the Sixties, Bempton’s role was taken over by RAF Fylingdales, so in 1964 the base was closed down. There is an annual staff reunion in July.
After asking for questions, Len introduced Bruce Petfield who gave an interesting and appreciative vote of thanks. Any retired or semi-retired gentleman interested in joining Probus is welcome to contact us through our website: http://probusbridlington.weebly.com.
Len then introduced the speaker, Mr Rick Hudson, who spoke to the meeting about the history of RAF Bempton, located on the cliffs just outside the village. Rick managed to tell the story not just from the military and technical viewpoint but also on the social and personal side. His presentation included many interesting and good quality photographs and video clips.
His first view of the site was as a small boy on a family outing from Hull to Filey. The site was an important radar site in the “chain low” network from its beginning in 1940 to its closure in 1964. The technology moved ahead so quickly that the aerials and other installations were being constantly improved over the years.
Much of the equipment was similar to that at RAF Holmpton, near Withernsea, which can be visited today by the public. The very large aerials installed during the Cold War period could be easily seen from off-site so were photographed by locals and visitors alike. These aerials had a range well above 100 miles, covering the coast from Tyneside to Norfolk. Their purpose was to warn of missile attacks coming from beyond the Iron Curtain.
The living accommodation was mainly by the village, now occupied by the Bempton caravan site. There the service men and women enjoyed fairly comfortable living conditions with many leisure time activities and sports to enjoy. The maximum complement was around 200. Rick showed a photograph of a team of airmen clearing very deep snow in 1956, so the life there was not plain sailing all the time. In the Sixties, Bempton’s role was taken over by RAF Fylingdales, so in 1964 the base was closed down. There is an annual staff reunion in July.
After asking for questions, Len introduced Bruce Petfield who gave an interesting and appreciative vote of thanks. Any retired or semi-retired gentleman interested in joining Probus is welcome to contact us through our website: http://probusbridlington.weebly.com.