RAF Fylingdales July 2018
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Those who have visited the North Yorkshire Moors may have seen a large “cheese grater” shaped building and wondered what it was. It is the BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System). On a warm summer evening a group of Stamford Bridge Probus Club members and partners had the opportunity of seeing inside this establishment. Under strict rules regarding what we could take in and a warning that we may have to make a hasty evacuation if an alarm sounded, we were escorted into the building.
In a small lecture room we spent an hour being told about the history of the site, from its original purpose when the previous three buildings, shaped like large golf balls, were an early warning site, used during the “cold war” for looking out for possible missile attack from the USSR. The new building does the same thing but covering a much wider area and shares information with the USA; NATO and our European neighbours. However it now spends most of its time looking out 3000 miles into space checking on all the movement of over 17000 satellites. We were then escorted into the operations room to see how this was carried out twenty four hours every day
All together a very interesting visit and it is reassuring that we have such professional and efficient personnel looking out for us.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Outing. August 2017
The pictures in the panelled room are at the Petwood Hotel, where the Dambusters were billeted.
It is the bar that they used as their mess.
Stamford Bridge Probus Club Go to Prison. April 4th 2017
26 members of Stamford Bridge Probus Club held their monthly meeting in the Conference Room of Askham Grange Woman’s Prison on the outskirts of York. Our Speakers were Neil Demby, Custodial Manager of the prison who gave a brief history of the Grange from its building in Victorian times by the extremely wealthy Harrison family and its use as a military hospital during World War Two. At the end of the war the building was empty until the bright idea of creating an open prison for women was born. Mary Size, a former Governor of Holloway Prison, came out of retirement to create the regime which, for the most part, remains today. The staff work hard to help women to realise their potential and in turn serve the community by reducing reoffending. The success of this is evident on the success stories which have been incredible. This is reflected in the fact the national average for reoffending rates is around 60% and the rate for Askham Grange is less than 10%. Our second Speaker was Paul Foweather OBE, Director of North East and Yorkshire PSP Custodial Services who talked on the future development of the prison service. Following the meeting we had an opportunity to see some parts of the prison followed by lunch provided by women residents.
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre March 16th 2016
Our first outing of the year was to the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre. Fourteen members and some wives had the opportunity of see round the museum followed by a guided tour on board the M.S. Ross Tiger by a retired fishing boat captain. The hardship of those working on board when at sea was well explained which made those in doubt realise the dangers and risked taken in order for us to enjoy a fish and chips meal.
Mid Summer Lunch July 5th 2016
The midseason lunch was held at the Raven Hotel in Ravenscroft. For the first time the Club invited a Speaker to the lunch. Mike Bortoft had previously spoken to us on the “Village That Never Was”. The village was Ravenscroft and the Committee thought it a good idea to be shown around the site after lunch and a short talk by Mike. Fortunately the weather was kind and the area was not covered in mist! All who came enjoyed the occasion and the chance to be shown a part of history which might have just passed by unnoticed.
Visit to Portakabin 21st January 2016
Don’t we all look a jolly lot? And that’s without anybody having had a drink!
Christmas Dinner in the Gold Cup, Low Catton 5th December 2015
Twenty Fifth Anniversary meeting of the Club November 2116
At the November meeting, exactly to the day twenty five years after the inaugural meeting of this Club, the President, Arthur Harrison, presented a booklet covering the history of the Club to each of the last three founder members; Dick Miles; David Carpenter and Bill Bloore. The booklet had been compiled by our unofficial archivist, Ernie Stevenson.
Mid Season Outing Crathorne Hall, Yarm 2015
Mid Season Trip on the River Trent July 2014
15 out of 16 Past Presidents still active members at the May 2013 Meeting