Big Society and Aerodrome Heritage

I too would love to see a Thor pad preserved but it would indeed be a major, though theoretically not impossible, task. I do have some experience in this area I would be happy to pass on if this project ever got off the ground. An alternative might be to erect some sort of commemorative plaque at the site?

This probably isn't the right thread to carry this on, but I think Harrington must be one of the best candidates for some kind of treatment. A tidy up wouldn't be impossible, but I'm not sure how receptive the landowner would be to this interference or increased awareness of this site.

Amongst the forum here we have considerable knowledge and ability to put together some words, and P Bellamy's Sketchup model (search this forum for 'Thor') would be a great basis for a visual that could be put together on some kind of display, but my feeling is it needs actual preservation.

I'm also concerned that by doing something active like that would spoil the desolation of the site, you can walk up the runway to the pads, alone, the breeze tugging at your coat, a skylark in the distance. As the panorama of the land slowly rolls away from the site, you can first imagine the B17's and B24's coming home from another mission, then as you get to the pads you can lose yourself even further in the odd sensation that one is standing on the launch pad of what was (until comparatively recently) the cutting edge of nuclear warfare, only a few yards from a public highway, unknown by many, yet so close to home. How would it have been to see three missiles arcing into the sky, no doubt clearly visible from Northampton and certainly Kettering, along with the others from the surrounding sites lighting up the sky as they punch through the clouds, most observers not knowing that it probably meant they had less than two minutes left...

I digress, the Big Society is, I believe a good idea, and helping people to help themselves can only be a good thing, but I think the main focus is for community projects, not for some nerds like us trying to preserve some of our neglected history. Continue discussion please...

I'm also concerned that by doing something active like that would spoil the desolation of the site, you can walk up the runway to the pads, alone, the breeze tugging at your coat, a skylark in the distance. As the panorama of the land slowly rolls away from the site, you can first imagine the B17's and B24's coming home from another mission, then as you get to the pads you can lose yourself even further in the odd sensation that one is standing on the launch pad of what was (until comparatively recently) the cutting edge of nuclear warfare

Beautifully described, but there's the problem. There's a body of enterprising land owners who've cottoned on to the commercial potential of developing/improving such sites and opening them up to the public. Interest in Cold War history is gaining traction.
Maybe the first step here is to sketch a few plans of how a visitor centre might work - feed these to some of the ARG professionals for comment prior to approcahing the landowner.

low interest outside us nerds, etc

You may be surprised. How could the story of our missile defence systems fail to grip the imagination of a younger generation? Just needs someone to tell it.

But not on my doorstep! Nor near my museum (Harrington)

Care to elaborate Paul?

I think he's referring to the Harrington museum's objection to the wind farm proposal that would have seen the future of the Thor pads secure.

I'd imagine a visitor's centre would take the form of the original guardroom, you need to remember the exit is through the gift shop though...