Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL)

From Howard Heeley:

“Counting Them Home”
- Further display venues & dates announced

Launched at the end of May 2012 by Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL), Counting Them Home is an interactive display that is based around a Lancaster aircraft, with a seasoned crew, departing an airfield in Lincolnshire and completing a raid over occupied Europe.

The Counting Them Home interactive display is fully transportable and it is now being taken to different aviation sites around the region. The latest bookings will see Counting Them Home being exhaustively utilised at the following aviation sites during the next ten months:

3rd July – 26th July – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Centre, RAF Coningsby, Lincs
26th July – 10th September – Grantham Museum, Grantham, Lincs
13th September – 29th September – Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincs
30th September – 10th October – Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre, North Rauceby, Lincs
11 October – 17th October – Waters’ Edge Visitors Centre, Barton Upon Humber, NE Lincs
18 October – 30 October – Newark Air Museum, Winthorpe, Notts
November 2012 – March 2013 – RAF Museum Cosford, West Midlands

A central theme of AH’s business plan is innovative interaction with the schools, education establishments and voluntary-led young people groups across Lincolnshire. Counting Them Home in now playing an important part in imparting the Bomber Command Story in a simple way to the younger generation.

Around the interactive display there are six pod stations that have to be successfully ‘navigated’ before the crew can return home safely. The game can be played by up to six people at any one time and is suitable for young people and families. Official statistics were incorporated into this mechanically operated display module to simulate losses at all stages of the raid – from take-off; coastal flak; night fighters; and anti-aircraft fire.

AHL is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000 and a major part of AHL’s remit is to work with various venues to raise the profile of aviation heritage in the county, and promote aviation within schools and colleges.

Latest talk by AHL

AHL talk 420 Squadron and the RCAF in Lincolnshire.pdf

Received from Howard Heeley / Down to Earth Promotions

New Polish Aviation Display at Grantham Museum

The official unveiling of a new aviation display at the recently re-opened Grantham Museum took place on Friday 3rd August 2012. Entitled “Polish Air Force: First To Fight” the temporary display explains the Polish Air Force’s role in World War II and it has been placed on loan by the Polish Air Force Association.

Grantham Museum is now managed by the Grantham Community Heritage Association (GCHA) and they have been supported in securing the “Polish Air Force: First To Fight” by the team from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL). AHL is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000 and AHL’s remit is to work with various venues to raise the profile of aviation heritage in Lincolnshire, and promote aviation within schools and colleges.

Grantham Museum is one of ten (10) key sites in the AHL partnership and the museum was re-opened at the beginning of June 2012. This new display will help illustrate the town’s strong aviation connections to the county’s diverse aviation heritage.

On August 3rd, formalities commenced at 1.30pm and the official opening of the display was performed by Polish Air Force veteran Tad Weir in the presence of Grzegorz Dyk, the Polish Vice-Consul, who is based in Manchester, a variety of civic dignitaries and invited guests.

The gathering was used for the first viewing of another aviation video, which is part of the AHL ‘Talking Heads’ oral history project. This latest film features an interview with Tad Weir, who flew Lancaster bombers with 300 Squadron out of RAF Faldingworth, Lincolnshire during World War II and in addition to carrying out 16 missions over enemy territory also took part in Operation Manna, dropping supplies to the starving Dutch in 1945. Tad Weir was born as Tadeusz Wierzbowski in Zgierz, Poland and he is believed to be one of only two surviving Polish Lancaster pilots in the UK.

“The Grantham Museum is extremely grateful for the support and encouragement that it has received from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire,” commented Graham Jeal, Chairman of Grantham Community Heritage Association, he continued. “We are really proud of the town’s aviation connections and are very excited about being able to host this prestigious Polish Air Force display.”

He concluded, “We are also displaying AHL’s new Counting Them Home interactive education display, which will complement to Polish Air Force display and provide a real insight into the challenges faced by World War II bomber crews.”

PRESS RELEASE from Howard Heeley on behalf of AHL.

Aviation project continues to fly high

Lincolnshire County Council has stepped forward to take on the running of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL).

For the past three years AHL has been promoting the county’s aviation history across Lincolnshire and beyond. However, its grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund comes to an end in Spring 2013. Now, the county council has agreed to continue the good work.

Cllr Eddy Poll, Executive Member for Cultural Services, said:
“Aviation is an important part of the Lincolnshire story. We have a number of aviation heritage sites across the county, which last year attracted 115,000 visitors, providing a valuable boost to our tourism economy. And this doesn’t even include those visiting the Waddington Air Show. We didn’t want to see all that good work come to an end.”

The idea for an integrated approach to aviation heritage was put forward by North Kesteven District Council in 2004. This led to the formation of AHL with Lincolnshire County Council, East and West Lindsey district councils, Visit Lincolnshire, Business Link, Renaissance East Midlands, Visitor Sites, Volunteer groups and the RAF. The county council will maintain this steering-group structure as it moves forward.

Cllr Marion Brighton, OBE, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said:
“We are very proud to have hosted the Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire project over the past three years and supported its development and growth. Tourism is a key contributor to the entire Lincolnshire economy, and especially so in North Kesteven where visitors contribute around £89m a year to the District economy, supporting around 1,600 jobs. Aviation tourism is a major part of this and it is therefore essential that together the partners continue to promote aviation heritage as we have been doing up to now through the Lottery funding.”

Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “We at HLF are delighted that the wonderful work that has taken place with our support is set to continue into the future. The story of aviation is an important part of Lincolnshire’s heritage, and thanks this project more visitors from near and far have been able to explore and enjoy learning about this fascinating history. We wish the team at AHL the very best of luck for the future.”.

Tim Downing, Chairman of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, said:
“Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire has played a major role in Lincolnshire’s tourism industry and economy over the last 3 years and now with the support of Lincolnshire County Council we are extremely excited about the future and continuing to promote the rich heritage our wonderful county has to offer.”

2012 is Lincolnshire’s ‘Year of Aviation’ with a whole series of events planned throughout the year, covering a century of aviation. For further information on the work of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, please visit www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com .

Received from Howard Heeley

The Cuban Missile Crisis – 50th Anniversary

In October 1962 whilst Lincolnshire was apparently miles away from the real centre of events; in reality the county was at the heart of Great Britain’s response to the Cuban Missile Crisis; a time when the world seemed to be on the brink of nuclear war!

Next month, over a similar 13 day period as the original events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) and several partner organisations will highlight some of the county’s roles in this internationally significant event by hosting a series of 50th anniversary talks, tours and events.

Monday 15th October – A talk by John Boyes on Project EMILY

Noted author John Boyes wrote the definitive book on the Thor missile project, known as ‘Project Emily’. The talk will take place at 7pm at Hemswell Court, which was the former Officers Mess for RAF Hemswell. This venue was selected because it was part of RAF Hemswell, which was the Wing Headquarters for the Thor missile sites at Hemswell, Caistor, Ludford Magna, Coleby Grange and Bardney.

Tickets £5 per person.

Tuesday 16th October – Cold War Tour

Starting at Hemswell Court the day will comprise of a coach tour of significant Cold War venues in Lincolnshire including: Caistor, Faldingworth, Dunholme Lodge and the RAF Scampton Museum.

Full day tour including lunch – £15 per person.

Saturday 20th October - Cold War Focus – Newark Air Museum

A series of talks focusing on the equipment of the Cold War in Lincolnshire with an opportunity to view the Vulcan bomber from inside the cockpit; to learn more about the Bloodhound Surface to Air Missile; and to hear about the role of the Royal Observer Corps.

Tickets £15 per person.

Sunday 21st October – Visit To Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Post

Heritage Lincolnshire have arranged for the former Royal Observer Corps (ROC) underground post at Holbeach to be opened up for visitors to find out more about the vital role carried out by the ROC. To book your place please contact Penny Ward at Heritage Lincolnshire on 01529 461499 or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Saturday 27th October - Hardy Lecture Theatre – Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln

AHL will be hosting a series of talks by those who have studied the Doomsday events of half a century ago and we will have the opportunity to listen to those who were serving on the Thor sites and Vulcan bases in Lincolnshire. A fascinating day with lunch included £15 per person.

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) is funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000 and these Cuban Missile Crisis Anniversary events, will highlight the county’s diverse involvement with this important part of the country’s aviation heritage and history.

All events and talks must be pre-booked. Tickets and further details can be obtained from Phil Bonner on 01529 308135, or Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received from Howard Heeley

Reflective Autumn Conference highlights the future of AHL

More than eighty (80) delegates attended Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire’s (AHL) 2012 Autumn Conference that was held at the delightful Hemswell Court on Tuesday 20th November.

Following a brief review of AHL’s recent achievements presented by the Aviation Development Officer, Phil Bonner and the Outreach and Learning Officer, Dave Harrigan; special presentations were made to personnel from North Kesteven District Council who had initiated the steering group for the project in 2004 and hosted the AHL staff for the last two years.

The keynote speaker for the conference was the Chief Executive of VisitEngland, James Berresford. James whose early career was in tourism in the East Midlands provided details of VisitEngland’s role as the official tourism body for England, which is working in partnership with government and industry to grow the value of the visitor economy at all levels.

During his presentation James made the following comments about AHL. “Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire has been instrumental in joining up the dots in the county’s aviation offering, which has been a magnificent achievement.” He concluded by encouraging the AHL partnership to greater heights by saying, “Please make sure that you pass on your visitors to other venues in the county and make sure that you highlight to your visitors the unique qualities of the Lincolnshire aviation experience.”

After lunch a short presentation was given by the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Tony McArdle about why LCC had decided to support the continuation of AHL by hosting the team for the next three years. This was followed by presentations by Phil Bonner and Dave Harrigan about AHL’s future aims and activities. This included providing the delegates with details about the new funding for education projects that AHL has received from Arts Council England through the Museums and schools programme. {This is explained in more detail in this weblink on the AHL website www.ahleducation.org.uk/frequently_asked_qestions.html}

Delegates were then provided with details of the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Appeal www.lincsbombercommandmemorial.com by AVM Paul Robinson. The appeal aims to erect a memorial on the top of Canwick Hill, in Lincoln. The site overlooks Lincoln Cathedral which was a major landmark for crews leaving Lincolnshire and as a navigation point for those lucky enough to return.

The culmination of the day’s proceedings was an enlightening and thought provoking presentation by Tim Wallis from the RAF Museum Conservation Centre at Cosford, about their Hampden Project. The subject matter was particularly poignant as Hampden bombers had been the mainstay of Bomber Command operations out of Lincolnshire during the early stages of World War II and the type had operated from the former RAF Hemswell airfield, where the conference was being held.

Email received from Howard Heeley

Lincolnshire’s Aviation Oral History Stories

Commencing on Thursday 17th January 2013, visitors are being invited to arrange to attend the Lincolnshire Archives to listen to the county’s Aviation Oral History Stories.

These stories from World War II and the Cold War era have been recorded as part of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire’s (AHL) “Shouting The Odds” project. These oral histories were a significant part of AHL’s remit for their aviation heritage programme, which is funded by an award of £436,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Funding from AHL has purchased new sets of listening equipment, which will enable visitors to the Lincolnshire Archives to hear the fascinating stories that detail the county’s diverse aviation heritage. Some of the stories can also be accessed via the Oral History tab on the AHL website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com

The Lincolnshire Archives are located on St. Rumbold Street in Lincoln; and it is suggested that anyone wishing to visit the Archives telephones 01522 782040 to book in advance of their visit, which should avoid disappointment with availability of the recordings.

A new oral history focus for the AHL team will be in the post-World War II era of the Cold War, with the V-Bomber squadrons of the V-Force, plus the Thor and Bloodhound missile crews. This latest work will include the following Lincolnshire bases:
RAF Coningsby
RAF Scampton
RAF Waddington
RAF Hemswell
RAF Coleby Grange
RAF Bardney
RAF Caistor
RAF Ludford Magna
RAF Dunholme Lodge
RAF North Coates
RAF Woodhall Spa
RAF Barkston Heath.

From 7th January 2013, members of the AHL team will themselves be located at the Lincolnshire Archives, St. Rumbold Street, Lincoln LN2 5AB. Form this time their new email addresses will be:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Mobile: 07584 216891)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Mobile: 07584 216890)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The new landline numbers will be issued in the New Year.
Website: www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com