VISIT TO THE BENTLEY PRIORY BATTLE OF
BRITAIN MUSEUM
On 25th October a Group of 24 ROCA members, family and friends, spent a fascinating morning at the Battle of Britain Trust Museum, officially opened in September by HRH Prince Charles.
Entering through the main gates the immediate area has changed significantly but sympathetically, only the occasional gasp from members reminded us that a building had gone and was replaced by impressive millionaire homes. A short walk from the repositioned car park, brings you to the familiar ambience and vista of the Priory. Passing the two renovated gate guardians, the Spitfire and Hurricane, you are soon back in the familiar setting and era we know so well.
I cannot begin to do written justice to the standard and care, with which the museum’s history, artefacts and story of the Priory and the Battle is told. The best I can do is to give you a taster through the lens, and commend a visit that will not disappoint. The first to admit there is still much to do, to develop and extend the displays, are the museum’s staff, very much work is in progress that is heavily reliant on the generosity of future donations.
One aspect that the photographs cannot do is to show the heart of the exhibition, the brilliant portrayal of Lord Dowding’s office and his role. I have included a picture taken in 2006 to remind us of the original office display. The current film and the audio visual technology, now set up in his former office to tell the Battle of Britain story, has to be viewed to be fully appreciated.
Guided around the Filter and Operations room we were rewarded with snippets of facts and stories behind the artefacts, and the lengths taken to achieve the highest level of display accuracy. The Operations centre, where the filter information was assessed, is depicted by a very detailed scale model in what is now the restored Ballroom. In due course the room will house further displays; its primary use will be to hold functions. Fittingly the administration staff is remembered, with a display of desks and equipment used between 1936 and 2008. How office life changed. All were touched by the table of memory boards, one of which that proudly displayed the detail of how John Simmonds and Michael Lee spotted the fire at the Priory when they arrived for the NRC training meeting.
After the guided tour there was plenty of time to wander around the exhibits followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to view the gardens, thoughtfully restored and maintained. Several of us adjourned to a local hostelry for lunch, to reminisce and thank Edwina for a very interesting, and highly enjoyable visit.
We are all familiar with the skill and speed the Observers and the Radar operators out in the field provided the tracking information during those dark days. It is refreshing and sobering to learn and see, through the visual models and displays, the practical use to which this crucial information was put, without which the Filter and Operators at the Priory would have been unable to fulfil its part in the Dowding system.
The museum will open to the public in January 2014 watch out for opening details on the web site.
Please send donations by post to The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, Wendleberie, Moor Common, Lane End, Bucks HP14 3HS, please mention the ROC Jenny Morris November 2013
The following photos were taken by Jenny Morris. To view the gallery simply click on one image and scroll left or right. (Ed.)
BRITAIN MUSEUM
On 25th October a Group of 24 ROCA members, family and friends, spent a fascinating morning at the Battle of Britain Trust Museum, officially opened in September by HRH Prince Charles.
Entering through the main gates the immediate area has changed significantly but sympathetically, only the occasional gasp from members reminded us that a building had gone and was replaced by impressive millionaire homes. A short walk from the repositioned car park, brings you to the familiar ambience and vista of the Priory. Passing the two renovated gate guardians, the Spitfire and Hurricane, you are soon back in the familiar setting and era we know so well.
I cannot begin to do written justice to the standard and care, with which the museum’s history, artefacts and story of the Priory and the Battle is told. The best I can do is to give you a taster through the lens, and commend a visit that will not disappoint. The first to admit there is still much to do, to develop and extend the displays, are the museum’s staff, very much work is in progress that is heavily reliant on the generosity of future donations.
One aspect that the photographs cannot do is to show the heart of the exhibition, the brilliant portrayal of Lord Dowding’s office and his role. I have included a picture taken in 2006 to remind us of the original office display. The current film and the audio visual technology, now set up in his former office to tell the Battle of Britain story, has to be viewed to be fully appreciated.
Guided around the Filter and Operations room we were rewarded with snippets of facts and stories behind the artefacts, and the lengths taken to achieve the highest level of display accuracy. The Operations centre, where the filter information was assessed, is depicted by a very detailed scale model in what is now the restored Ballroom. In due course the room will house further displays; its primary use will be to hold functions. Fittingly the administration staff is remembered, with a display of desks and equipment used between 1936 and 2008. How office life changed. All were touched by the table of memory boards, one of which that proudly displayed the detail of how John Simmonds and Michael Lee spotted the fire at the Priory when they arrived for the NRC training meeting.
After the guided tour there was plenty of time to wander around the exhibits followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to view the gardens, thoughtfully restored and maintained. Several of us adjourned to a local hostelry for lunch, to reminisce and thank Edwina for a very interesting, and highly enjoyable visit.
We are all familiar with the skill and speed the Observers and the Radar operators out in the field provided the tracking information during those dark days. It is refreshing and sobering to learn and see, through the visual models and displays, the practical use to which this crucial information was put, without which the Filter and Operators at the Priory would have been unable to fulfil its part in the Dowding system.
The museum will open to the public in January 2014 watch out for opening details on the web site.
Please send donations by post to The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, Wendleberie, Moor Common, Lane End, Bucks HP14 3HS, please mention the ROC Jenny Morris November 2013
The following photos were taken by Jenny Morris. To view the gallery simply click on one image and scroll left or right. (Ed.)
