BLETCHLEY PARK CELEBRATES THE ARMED FORCES & 150 YEARS OF THE CADET CORPS

 

 

The two day event will feature a range of wartime displays and re-enactment groups, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypasts, featuring a Spitfire and a Dakota* and a number of entertaining lectures about the Armed Forces and Cadet Corps.

 

Telling the story of the siege of the British garrison in the township of Ladysmith in 1899, the highlight of the weekend will be a Cadet Field Gun Run competition. 

 

The origins of the Field Gun Run competition lie in the second Boer War in South Africa when, in support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers. The Field Gun Run competition simulates the drill that would have been undertaken to bring a naval field gun into action during the march to Ladysmith.

 

Commander David Moth from TS Invincible Naval Cadets said, “It’s great to be involved in this event and will be great fun, not to mention quite a challenge for our cadets.  The Cadet Force has always been closely linked to our Armed Forces and helps develop leadership, responsibility, self reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance.”

Other activities during the weekend will be a display by the Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society of radio equipment spanning the last hundred years, showing how communication in the armed forces has changed over time and become ever more vital.  While representing the animal kingdom, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association will demonstrate how the humble pigeon has played a major part in warfare over the ages.  Northampton Specialist Club will also carry out a pigeon release (weather allowing), which is certainly a sight to behold.

 

A series of lectures will include:

"Intelligence in Uniform" By Peter Wescombe, how the Armed Forces contributed to intelligence work in World War Two
“The Current Role of a Royal Marine” By Corporal Rackham

 

Bletchley Park was home to the codebreakers of World War Two and the birthplace of the modern computer.  Today it is a museum and heritage site, with a fascinating range of permanent exhibitions and private collections.  Among other things, visitors will see the famous Abwehr Enigma Machine, the Lorenz and other mechanical cipher systems and the Bombe and Colossus Rebuilds. 

Bletchley Park is set in beautiful parkland with a Victorian Mansion, a lake, wildlife and a children’s play area.  The restaurant in Hut 4, former home of the Naval codebreakers, serves a full range of meals and refreshments. The gift shop sells books, DVDs, CDs, gifts and toys.  Bletchley Park is easily accessible by car from the A5 and J13 and J14 of the M1.  On-site parking is £3 per car and Bletchley Station, which has direct services to London Euston and Birmingham New Street, is a five minute walk.  

 

*All Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Flypasts are subject to weather conditions and aircraft serviceability. The Spitfire will Flypast on the Saturday and the Dakota on the Sunday.

 

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For visitor information, contact 01908 640404, info@bletchleypark.org.uk, or go to www.bletchleypark.org.uk