[9], After the First World War, Henlow was home to four aircraft squadrons; No. "When the station was closed down, and after the last Lightning left, the land was sold to a local developer who then sold the houses on the open market. There is a small window on each return to this pedimented section. You are using an out of date browser. INTERIOR: Some polished oak panelling in the entrance circulation area; fine dog-leg staircase with turned balusters to solid string and square newels to simple finials, all in polished oak. The roof of the right wing has been extended by one or two bays to the rear. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's [24], In December 2011, RAF Henlow along with 14 other Ministry of Defence sites in the United Kingdom were designated as being dangerously radioactive. The land will be used for housing to help meet the government's target of 160,000 homes by 2020. External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Raf Henlow Hob Uid: 1397210 Location : Central Bedfordshire Clifton, Meppershall, Henlow Grid Ref : TL1640036700 Summary : A key site for military aviation heritage: a military airfield used in both World Wars, the inter-war years and post-war. - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00. - 23rd November 2011 at 12:27 Permalink Original married quarters at RAF Henlow. Use our map search to find more listed places. There's effectively two estates - in the wire is very nicely maintained, however the front gate are absolute arses for visitors. Indeed from 1979 I have been actively involved in the acquisition of 36 redundant MOD sites starting with RAF Faldingworth NCO MQs in 1979 to our latest purchase the Officer MQs at RAF Ballykelly taking in amongst others RAF North Coates, RAF Hemswell, RAF Bicester and RAF West Raynham on the way. Photographer: Unknown photographer for John Laing plc, Historic England Archive John Laing Collection. There is a Facebook page: WAGS of Henlow, where there is an extremely good support network, but also there is less expectation to adapt to the RAF side of life when you're not in the RAF. The outer ends of the wings are emphasised with a central brought-forward section in brickwork, but with window and door in a stone surround; the 16-pane sash is in a 'Gibbsian' surround (but without pediment), above panelled door in wide pilasters under plain frieze and cornice. [21] The college was amalgamated with RAF College Cranwell in 1965. It is the most distinguished of a well-planned and handled series of buildings built on the domestic site at RAF Henlow in the 1932-4 period, with gauged detail to sand-faced external brickwork and high-quality internal treatment. Search over 400,000 listed places. Chicksands has the nicer area, but if you're going to be training there, you'll be sick of the place. To each side are lean-to units, some in 2 storeys, including former boiler-house on the SE side. Discover and use our high-quality applied research to support the protection and management of the historic environment. [11] He later spent some time in charge of aero engine testing on the base before being sent to Cambridge. Three further houses are in the process of being done up and a fourth property needs refurbishment. RAF Henlow - Wikipedia "This picturesque location is a desirable location to live. RAF Henlow flying club grounded by Ministry of Defence Unlike Buildings 186-9, this has retained its original external detail in the form of window and door fitments - although it has lost its original roof lights and stack.The flying field has been partly developed by a golf course. 1918, by the War Office's Directorate of Fortifications and Works; drawing No 2010/18. Key Publishing Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 2713662. Raf honington hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy RAF Henlow closure pushed back to 2023 | The Comet And you should have seen the Hal Far CO's house just up the roadit was like Buckingham Palace. Discover and use our high-quality applied research to support the protection and management of the historic environment. Phone: 01677 457567 Opening times: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm, and Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to midday. The most complete group of early buildings at Henlow comprises the five General Service Sheds which, although subjected to some external alteration, comprise the most complete ensemble of hangar buildings on any British site for the period up to 1923. We want to build, but the local plan, the local authority is yet to catch up with what we actually want to do. Source Historic England Archive BB98/02592. A group of volunteers from The Friends of Balaam's Wood Local Nature Reserve clearing brambles at Gannow Green Moated Site, New Frankley in Birmingham, Two horsemen reading The Sportsman, 30 Oct 1902, Farnborough, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. Me and my partner are not married, but have been together for 4 years and have a 15 month old daughter. Use our map search to find more listed places. Royal Air Force support station in Bedfordshire, England, 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade, No. Members of RAF Henlow | Forces Reunited 43 Squadron RAF and No. It is also one of the principal buildings on this historically important site, being the most impressive of a well-handled group of administrative and domestic buildings on what by the Second World War had become one of the RAF's major repair bases. RAF Henlow was established in 1917 as the Eastern Command Repair Depot, raised to Group status in 1965 and still in RAF hands. RAF Henlow was established in 1917 as the Eastern Command Repair Depot, raised to Group status in 1965 and still in RAF hands. Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building. More than 50 former RAF homes are on sale as a job lot. By 1924, when it was selected as the permanent home of the School of Aeronautical Engineering, Henlow was producing 35 engines and 15 aircraft each month. Parachute training, including SOE officers, was another key function of the base. - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00, If you pm me with your e-mail address I will send through some photos of the quarters at Wildenrath, By: cotteswold Why don't you be the first to send us one? Historic England holds an extensive range of publications and historic collections in its public archive covering the historic environment. Be the first to add a photo and help showcase this place to others. Guardroom phone: 01461 851515 x 7432. I started humming 'whale meat again..'! Find out about listed buildings and other protected sites, and search the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). Licence number 102006.006. Source Historic England Archive BB98/02592. To each sude on each floor is a 16-pane sash. The base looks after the Supply Central Computer System. Basic engineering theory and management were taught at the Officers' Engineering School (formerly at Farnborough), one of the 1932 pupils being Frank Whittle. Work started 3 weeks ago, the air raid shelter from out side the H block was moved to The museum around 5 years ago. RAF Henlowis a Royal Air Forcestation in Bedfordshire, England, equidistant from Bedford, Lutonand Stevenage. There is horizontal bracing to the bays adjoining the door openings, and a series of light steel purlins carries the roof sheeting.HISTORY: RAF Henlow was established in 1917 as the Eastern Command Repair Depot, raised to Group status in 1965 and still in RAF hands. This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. All government data published here A contractor cutting bricks for the wall of the partially-restored wild and natural walled garden at Warley Place, Brentwood. This copy shows the entry on 01-May-2023 at 22:04:37. RAF Wyton - Wikipedia Location of this list entry and nearby places that are also listed. By 1924, when it was selected as the permanent home of the School of Aeronautical Engineering, Henlow was producing 35 engines and 15 aircraft each month. User contributions are not fact checked and do not represent the official position of Historic England. 80 Squadron RAF. In its role as a training base for skilled engineers and equipping operational stations with the latest aircraft it became, with Cranwell, Halton and Uxbridge, one of the RAF's largest bases, accommodating some 7000 of various nationalities in 1940. Basic engineering theory and management were taught at the Officers' Engineering School (formerly at Farnborough), one of the 1932 pupils being Frank Whittle. Great times, now unfortunately buried under the Malta Freeport container depot. At one stage in 1941, in Operation Quickforce, about 100 Henlow fitters were trained for the assembly of Hurricanes on carriers en route for Malta, to which the completed planes were flown off deck. Editors' Code of Practice. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2023. https://www.gov.uk/defence-infrastrly-accommodation#entitlement-for-sfa-and-ssfa, Where are the married patches in the Portsmouth area. Part of the Alfred Newton and Sons collection. This proved very successful so I went on to acquire a further 35 sites over the following 30 years and include the following: That's a heck of a list have you any before and after images? See our extensive range of expert advice to help you care for and protect historic places. The domestic site, which was subjected to an extensive rebuilding programme concentrated in the first half of the 1930s, is situated across the A6001 to the south of the technical group. A significant period was during the Battle of Britain in 1940: Hurricanes manufactured in Canada were crated in, assembled at Henlow and flown onto front-line bases. In Chicksands, despite being tri-service, is very heavy on living to the Army standard (including the wives attempting to wear the rank of their husbands and ordering serving personnel around - just f*** them off if they do so, the chain of command can do naff all about it unless you're rude). 01-DEC-05 , RAF Henlow GV II It's just a case of selecting RAF Henlow as your preferred living area. The entrance lobby and hall to the main block gives to bar and lounge, writing room and similar public spaces, with the large dining room set centrally but transversely to the rear. At one stage in 1941, in Operation Quickforce, about 100 Henlow fitters were trained for the assembly of Hurricanes on carriers en route for Malta, to which the completed planes were flown off deck. VAT No. PLAN: A characteristic symmetrical layout, with 2-storey central block containing public rooms and mess, with transverse axial main mess, and kitchens with services to the rear. The NAAFI has been social housing for around 20 years but 3 T2's, one crash rescue building and watch tower remain. RAF Henlow is home of the RAF Signals Museum that tells the story of RAF Signals. [12] An additional hangar was added to the inventory in the 1930s and this too is now listed. RAF Henlow is a Royal Air Force station in Bedfordshire, England, equidistant from Bedford, Luton and Stevenage. Search over 400,000 listed places. Photographer: Unknown photographer for John Laing plc, Historic England Archive John Laing Collection. Using an old browser means that some parts of our website might not work correctly. , but the married quarters were still in use, the . This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. I have done a bit of research on Quarters and seem to get varied responses. Having lived in Chicksands, the best option is actually to have a quarter in or around RAF Henlow. Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building. 1961 Reserve Air Observation Post Flight RAF, "RAF Halton Defence Aerodrome Manual (DAM)", "Non-inhabited listed buildings on the MOD UK estate: 2015", "RAF stations, airfields and other establishments", "Building 190 (Coupled service shed), RAF Henlow(Grade II) (1391624)", "Buildings 186, 187, 188 and 189 (Aircraft Hangars), RAF Henlow (1391623)", "BUILDING 370 WITH 330 (OFFICER'S MESS), RAF HENLOW (1391625)", "Ministry of Defence to sell 13 sites for 17,000 homes", "Is Your Military Base Closing? By creating an account you agree to us emailing you with newsletters and discounts, which you can switch off in your account at any time. Walls, buttresses, central piers and door 'pylons' in brick, curtain walls half-brick thickness in cheaper bricks, softwood 'Belfast' roof trusses, corrugated steel door cladding and later profiled steel roofing, including lean-to units.PLAN: Each of the buildings is a double-span shed, with a central row of brick piers, some with later brick or block partitions. The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority. contact the editor here. The places on the list are protected by law and most are not open to the public. The bedroom wings are double-banked, with a central entrance facing the courtyard, and access through the link blocks. Picture: Crown Copyright 2018. He told me he was scared of getting married - it was a big step. For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948. The parish council website adds that the homes were built to a very high standard, some as early as 1938/39 and others as late as the mid 1950s. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. © Crown Copyright and database right 2023. - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00, Also worth registering and asking here:http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/forum.php, By: wessex boy It may not display this or other websites correctly. The sheds are aligned to the access road, with a larger interval between 188 and 189 than that between the first three.EXTERIOR: The general design of all the sheds is similar, with minor differences in the scope of the attached out-buildings. Entry Name: Building 370 with 330 (Officer's Mess), RAF Henlow, Location: Holwellbury, Central Bedfordshire, SG16, Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Bedfordshire, 346/0/10012 Building 370 with 330 (Officer's Mess) This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The RAF 100 Chipmunk Flypast at RAF Henlow to celebrate the air force's 100th birthday. The state was renamed The Virginia Estate as our offices were in Arlington Virginia and the roads renamed after areas around Washington such as Washington Drive, Prince William Road, Fairfax Road and so on. [27] The closure date was later extended to 2023,[28] and once more to 2026. The brickwork is swept in at the haunches above the eaves-line and carried up high to a simple capping. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy, Please enter a password with 6 characters or more. The roof of the right wing has been extended by one or two bays to the rear. 2 Tactical Police Squadron, RAF Henlow; and No. See how you can help. This copy shows the entry on 01-May-2023 at 22:04:40. I spent my childhood in base at Waterbeach - that's been sold off now, and is going to be 15,000 homes soon. The first service personnel arrived (from Farnborough) in May 1918, and a limited output of Bristol fighters and Haviland aircraft was achieved by the Armistice. - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00, NCOs Married Quarter RAF Thornhill (5 FTS), S. Rhodesia 1951 - 1953, By: slicer But, while updating Parliament on plans for 33 military sites last Thursday, defence minister Tobias Ellwood confirmed that RAF Henlow will now be closing by 2023. - 25th November 2011 at 12:16 Permalink The Royal Air Force show off improved accommodation for married servicemen.GV old style Exterior Air. Bob Blackwell SERGEANT Served from 1953 - 1973 Served in RAF Henlow Laurence Little L. A. Prince of Wales carrier stripped for spares to keep QE2 going? The 15 bases were believed to be poisoned as a consequence of undetermined activity during the Second World War. The bedroom wings have hipped roofs; towards the courtyard they are in 9 bays; the centre bay is brought forward, and taken above eaves-line to a flat, flush stone-coped parapet, above a stone-dressed central feature, with a 16-pane sash in 'Gibbsian' surround and to a closed pediment, above a pair of panelled doors in wide pilaster surround with frieze and cornice. Married Quarters/Housing | Navy Net - Royal Navy Community This site uses cookies. Construction at Henlow - conveniently served by the Midland Railway - was begun in 1917, and some of the more substantial structures including the hangars date from this time; the last of the huts dating from this period were demolished in the 1970s. To each side are 3 bays with 16-pane, and outer end bays 12-pane sash. The estate once provided accommodation for families at Lightning jet fighter base RAF Binbrook. The places on the list are protected by law and most are not open to the public. Premium Key Aero subscribers get access to read all our magazines online as soon as they leave the editors desk. Building 189 differs only in having wider main spans.INTERIOR: Main spaces have plain concrete floors, except where modified for eg a gymnasium. After I left school and college after training as a surveyor in London l made a conscious decision to specialise in the purchase, preservation of not only married quarters but technical domestic and airfield sites. [18], The empty packing crates that the Hurricane aircraft were shipped in were used to make the original control tower (which has now been replaced by a more modern two-storey Portakabin type). During the Second World War it was used primarily as a bomber base, flying Bristol Blenheim, de Havilland Mosquito and Avro Lancaster aircraft. That is very impressive, FYI work has started on the last remaining H block at Tangmere turning it into apartments. The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system. Find out about listed buildings and other protected sites, and search the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). The RAF 100 Chipmunk Flypast at RAF Henlow to celebrate the air force's 100th birthday. HENLOW 346/0/10010 Building 190 (Coupled general service RAF Stanbridge - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives Roofs all low-pitched hipped.EXTERIOR: Windows are generally glazing-bar sashes, except for the centre block, set to rubbed voussoirs in a light brick than the walling, and to stooled stone sills. Search over 400,000 listed places Overview Official List Entry Comments and Photos Previous Overview Next Comments and Photos For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948. Emergency contact. The houses are a mixture of two and three bedroom properties of which 50 are already rented to mostly working families and couples. As the son of an RAF navigator with Bomber Command and then Met Comm who served 40 years from 1939 to 1979 I have been closely involved with this life myself. Full height and width doors, eight leaves to each opening, are in cross-braced steel framing exposed externally over corrugated cladding, and at each outer end is the original 'pylon' to take the stacked doors. It's better served by public transport, has a better variety of shops, is a 20 minute drive from Hitchin/30 minute drive from Letchworth Garden City and the quarters are in a much better overall standard than Chicksands. They are Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Venning Barracks, RAF Henlow, Chilwell Station and RAF Halton. RAF Henlow had a number of post-war uses, including as a base for signals engineering and a major RAF technical training college, while also being used as a filming location for 1969 film Battle of Britain. Part of the Alfred Newton and Sons collection. planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself. Find out about services offered by Historic England for funding, planning, education and research, as well as training and skill development. Search over 400,000 listed places. RAF Gtersloh - Wikipedia The flying field has been partly developed by a golf course. Welcome to Forces Reunited the place where you can find information and friends from RAF Henlow. I am collating a documentary of life and experiences on married quarter estates throughout the post war years in particular on RAF MQs through the late 1940s to the 1980s. The first service personnel arrived (from Farnborough) in May 1918, and a limited output of Bristol fighters and Haviland aircraft was achieved by the Armistice. Part of the Alfred Newton and Sons collection. - 24th November 2011 at 00:02 Permalink It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. The outer ends of the wings are emphasised with a central brought-forward section in brickwork, but with window and door in a stone surround; the 16-pane sash is in a 'Gibbsian' surround (but without pediment), above panelled door in wide pilasters under plain frieze and cornice. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. Find out more about Heritage Apprenticeships. JavaScript is disabled. The successful buyer could rake in 19,900 a month or 239,000 a year in rent from 50 of the former RAF married quarters homes, with the chance to increase the yield to 260,000 from renting. To each side are 3 bays with 16-pane, and outer end bays 12-pane sash. 1918, by the War Office's Directorate of Fortifications and Works. Location of this list entry and nearby places that are also listed. Terracotta tiles on the roof of Saintoft Lodge, Newton-on-Rawcliffe, Ryedale, North Yorkshire. It is the best example of the more refined airbase architecture of this period after the messes at Lee-on-Solent and Biggin Hill, and the mess and offices at Cranwell, Lincolnshire.It is also one of the principal buildings on this historically important site, being the most impressive of a well-handled group of administrative and domestic buildings on what by the Second World War had become one of the RAF's major repair bases. 90 Army MQs Tidworth Garrison Wilts. The following squadrons were posted to Wyton between 1935 and 1939: No. Find out more about Heritage Apprenticeships. Historic England holds an extensive range of publications and historic collections in its public archive covering the historic environment. Group of four paired aircraft hangars in line. Any photographs of these MQs would be greatly appreciated. If the property market is all about location, the rolling hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds take some beating. The ex RAF MQ sites for the period from the late 1940s to the 1970s we are missing and are seeking photographs from that period are RAF Ballykelly NI, RAF Cranwell, RAF Faldingworth, RAF Hemswell, RAF Khormaksar Aden, RAF Manby, RAF Marham, RAF Middleton St George, RAF Scampton, RAF Tangmere, RAF Waddington, RAF Waterbeach, RAF Wildenrath Germany. Between the groups of doors to each span a large down-pipe is carried in a recess to brick piers. The outer faces to the wings have some larger sashes, and, towards the rear, smaller lights to service rooms. The right wing has 4 brick stacks on the inner roof slope, and the left wing, two. [14] After test flying in Fort William, they were disassembled and sent to Henlow in shipping containers and reassembled. In 1947 the School of Aeronautical Engineering became the RAF Technical College, moving to Cranwell in 1965. Another, a pair of previously owned RN sheets. 127 Married Quarters RAF Faldingworth, Lincs (renamed Virginia Estate) 133 Married Quarters RAF Middleton St George Durham (renamed Virginia Estate) 70 Married Quarters RAF Driffield . - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00. Building 370 with 330 (Officer's Mess), RAF Henlow - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00. - 24th November 2011 at 10:45 Permalink This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. All rights reserved. huh? [26], On 6 September 2016, UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced the planned closure of RAF Henlow along with 12 other military sites owned by the MoD. Former RAF homes at Brookenby are up for grabs, Last open day at RAF Binbrook before it closed in 1987. Annington is giving a new lease of life to the homes, formerly military married quarters, by lightly refurbishing them to provide homes for local first-time buyers and growing families. The links each side have a lower eaves and roof-line, and are in 6 bays, with 16-pane sashes. The Aircraft Riggers' School was brought in after 1935, and during the Second World War it performed a vital function as one of the RAF's largest Maintenance Units, overhauling, repairing and modifying a wide range of fighters and bombers, from Spitfires and Typhoons to Lancasters. 266 Hirings Tricomm Portfolio let to MOD located in Bristol & Bath. © Crown Copyright and database right 2023. By: thawes [4] Four Belfast Hangars were built and are now listed buildings. Read the Enriching the List Terms and Conditions. BUILDING 370 WITH 330 (OFFICER'S MESS), RAF HENLOW, Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Construction at Henlow - conveniently served by the Midland Railway - was begun in 1917, and some of the more substantial structures including the hangars date from this time; the last of the huts dating from this period were demolished in the 1970s. It's better served by public transport, has a better variety of shops, is a 20 minute drive from Hitchin/30 minute drive from Letchworth Garden City and the quarters are in a much better overall standard than Chicksands. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. After returning to the UK from our two housing schemes opposite the Pentagon Washington DC in 1980 I purchased the first site which comprised 127 former NCO quarters at RAF Faldingworth, north of Lincoln. We HAD to accept a barrow load of pre-war partly rusted kitchen wares - including a 20" fish kettle!!