Eaton Bray W.I.

Posted on April 1, 2012

A welcome was extended to the members at the March meeting.

There was a birthday card for Celia White and congratulations were given to Barbara Ilic and her husband Tony on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding.The card from the Queen was looked at by everyone (especially the code on the back). Loving thoughts were expressed to Dorothy and her daughter June, whose husband Bill had died suddenly. A newsletter was distributed giving all the forthcoming details of events and outings planned for the Summer.

Deirdrea introduced the speaker Jean Yates who spoke on Bedfordshire's Secret War.

Organisations such as the Special Operation Executive and others, conducted their secret operations from various parts of Bedfordshire.

The Met Office Central Forecasting unit was in a nissen hut camou fl aged as a haystack on top of the Downs, in Isle of Wight Lane. Another hut was involved in experimental radar, this too was camoufl aged by hay. Twenty miles of chicken wire was erected on the Downs at 400ft above sea level. Hockliffe had a secret radio station run by the Czechoslovakians who were communicating with their president and government.

Chicksands was an RAF 'Y' station, at one time it had 200 receivers intercepting the German Air Force strategic wireless network. Paris House at Woburn was used as an interim safe house for the Royal Family if Britain was invaded.

Jean showed slides with so much information written down. Most details could be found in her book entitled Dunstable at War, written by herself and Sue King. (Copies available from Focus editor.)

Jean was thanked by Sue for a most informative talk. Social time followed and the raffle was won by Barbara Collier and Megan Hall.

Next month's speakers on Monday 2nd April are Mandy and Justin James of Redbournbury Mill and Bakery. They will be bringing samples to taste.

Why not join us?

Source: Focus, April 2012