Picture: RAF Holmpton operating in the 1970's as a Master Comprehensive Radar Station
  • Updated 7th September 2008
  • Scroll down this page for
  • 2008 NEWS
  • Latest News in RED - Earlier items in BLUE

  A Whole World Beneath The Yorkshire Countryside

September 6th 2008 - A visit by 33 members of Subterranea Britannica was held this morning - Running for about 3 hours the members enjoyed a full visit to the bunker - Arriving and departing by double decker bus they went on to explore the ROC post at Paul near Hull and on Sunday are visiting the recently restored ROC HQ at York.

August 26th 2008 - A Record Breaking Summer Season with a huge number of extra visitors this year - The Summer season continues until Sunday 31st August with TOURS EVERY AFTERNOON - We then have a weeks holiday for the staff and the AUTUMN SEASON starts on Saturday 6th September - Full details on our Public Opening Times Page.

August 10th 2008 - PARANORMAL EVENT ORGANISERS - See our Paranormal Nights Page for our new graded fees for investigations including some new rates - These do not alter any bookings confirmed and booked prior to August 2008.

July 27th 2008 - Our SUMMER SEASON is now under way and we are OPEN EVERY DAY - Gates 2pm - Tour 2.30pm - Full details on our PUBLIC OPENING TIMES Page.   

July 22nd 2008 -  See or PARANORMAL NIGHTS page for details of actual Hauntings & Sightings in the bunker - and why not join one of our overnight Paranormal Events to see for yourself.

July 15th 2008 -  As the Historic Restoration of RAF HOLMPTON proceeds the contract for the restoration of AREA 7 has just been awared to Culrose & Parr Partnership - During 2009 they will be undertaking the complete restoration of this additional 6,000sq ft area of the Bunker which is scheduled to open for the 2010 season - AREA 7 was the most recently used part of the site and between 1995 & 2001 was the Experimental Operations Centre for the new UK AIR CCIS system. It is proposed to include an overhead viewing gallery for visitors to see this fascinating part of the headquarters along with it's original equipment and interior.

July 14th 2008 -  HIPPO has just completed the handover of the entire Historic Collection at RAF Holmpton to the RAF Holmpton Preservation Society (RAFHPS) - All the various owners of the collection have now generously donated their equipment and artefacts to the Society, which now holds possibly the most authentic Bunker Collection in the United Kingdom. Once the restoration of RAF Holmpton is completed the Society will take over the day to day management of the site and their ownership of the collection forms the initial part of this process. Chairman of the Society Mr Terry Clout said that he was delighted to become the first custodian of this unique collection. A new logo for the society will be launced on this website soon.

July 14th 2008 -  FLYING AT RAF HOLMPTON - Full details about the PARAMOTOR FLYING CLUB can be found at www.paramotorpirates.com 

July 10th 2008 -    On the 9th July former members of staff from RAF BEMPTON and their families held a reunion at the local pub in Bempton and on the 10th July they paid a visit to RAF Holmpton - RAF Bempton operated as a satellite for RAF Holmpton until the 1960's - Sadly the small single level bunker at Bempton has since fallen into a state of dereliction - The site firstly operating as an Early Warning Station later had a Type 80 radar installed and in about 1962 when RAF Holmpton closed for a major refit the entire staff moved to Bempton which operated as the principal station for about 9 months. Following the refit at Holmpton the site at Bempton closed and RAF Staxton Wold replaced it. Bempton was also used as a Test bed for the new HSA (High Speed) radar system under the code name 'Project Winkle' ad this accounts for the rather strange concrete pillars still clearly visible on the long since closed site. The reunion was a great success and it was a pleasure to meet so many Veterans with their happy memories of their time at Royal Air Force Station BEMPTON.  

July 6th 2008 - A great Paranormal Investigation last night with the 'Prepared To be Scared' team who found a considerable amount of activity in the Bunker - You can visit their website at www.prepared2bescared.co.uk

June 26th 2008 -  Visit by the MG CAR CLUB (Yorkshire Central) - The members enjoyed a guided tour of the Bunker and the event saw a superb 'Line Up' of MG Cars along the front of the Guardroom ranging from the latest to vintage models of these superb cars.

June 25th 2008 -  A Visit by the (National Service) Royal Air Force Association Lincolnshire Branch this afternoon brought 16 Veterans to RAF Holmpton for a tour of the Bunker. From a variety of service units one had been stationed near to Hiroshima during WWII and another on Christmas Island during the Nuclear Testing programme.

June 14th &15th 2008 - - International Museums Weekend brought the Finningley Radio Amateur Society to RAF Holmpton for the weekend - Members of the club along with the public visited the Radio Displays throughout the weekend and a large number also took the chance to visit the Bunker on one of the weekend tours - the Radio Club will be visiting RAF Holmpton again for future events.

         

               Transmitter Van                           Ariel Mast                      Inside the Van

June 6th 2008 - Paranormal Investigation tonight by Rotherham Ghosts - To see a report vist their website at www.rotherham-ghosts.com Why not join in one of our Paranormal Nights - Full details on our Paranormal Page - RAF Holmpton is rapidly earning a reputation as a premier and exciting new site for a variety of hauntings and happenings 

May 31st 2008 -- Thursday 5th June is WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY and RAF Holmpton is pleased to announce that following the completion of major Energy - Water - Land Maintenance - Drainage and Waste Recycling Projects we have now achieved a reduction in our carbon footprnt of 85% (Yes that is 85% some achievement)

May 25th 2008 -  Another great paranormal night with Phil Whyman of Most Haunted Fame - You can view details of his investigations on his own website at www.deadhaunted.co.uk and don't forget to look on our PARANORMAL NIGHTS PAGE for details of upcoming investigations at RAF Holmpton - Full contact details of the organisers are listed so that you can book tickets and join in with one of the fascinating events.  

May 24th 2008 -  Congratulations to HULL CITY on their graduation to the Premier League - HULL getting bigger & better every day The Pioneering City.

May 20th 2008 - SHOP -  Our new Shop is now completed and ready for our visitors along with our refurbished Foyer and extended waiting space.

May 18th 2008 - Shopfitters moved in today to alter the Foyer providing more waiting space and to fit out an entirely new shop area for our visitors - Opening Wednesday 21st May -Pictures and full details to follow shortly.

May 17th 2008 -   Museums & Galleries Month 'Night in the Museum' welcomed Kids & Adults for a special screening of 3 Wallace & Gromit & Shaun the Sheep adventures on the big screen in the Operations Room 80ft below ground - Everyone enjoyed the event and it raised over £150 for the RNLI Withernsea Lifeboat Appeal - See the pictures below. With special thanks to the BBC - Aardman Productions and 2entertain for providing the films and a great evening - Also many thanks to the MGM 2008 organisers.

         

            MGM 2008 Visitors                Wallace & Gromit              Raffle Prizewinners

May 13th 2008 -   10 Helicopters from the Helicopter Club of Great Britain flew in today for a lunchtime visit and tour of the bunker - We have added slideshow with over 70 pictures of the helicopters on the ground and in the sky just Click on the Helicopters page tab opposite.

May 10th 2008 - 'LUPIN' now has her own Slideshow Page and we will add regular updates too - Have a look by clicking on the index tab listed as LUPIN CAM.

May 1st 2008    This is 'LUPIN' our new Station Mascot - She was born in Scotland on 28th September 2007 and arrived at RAF Holmpton on Sunday 20th April - She is currently settling into the RAF Police Office and getting to know everyone while her own accommodation is being built - She follows in a tradition of Border Collies at Holmpton and we will update her progress on this website.

April 26th 2008 - See our SPECIAL EVENTS PAGE for details about Events and Charity Auctions at RAF Holmpton - Something different and advance booking always available. 

April 10th 2008 -  PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS - There are a huge number of these events already booked for this year so why not have a look on our PUBLIC SPECIAL EVENTS PAGE contact the organisers and come along - It's a whole other world.

April 5th 2008 -   A return visit by members of the 28dayslater Urban Exploration Group - Plus the chance to visit parts of the bunker not usually open to visitors - You can find out more on their website - www.28dayslater.co.uk

April 4th 2008 -  PARAMOTOR FLYING (VIDEO) at RAF Holmpton - For flying club contact details see article lower down this page - Also see the Video on GOOGLE just click this LINK

March 31st 2008 -  RAF HOLMPTON is delighted to have won the prestigeous Quality Assured Visitor Attraction Award from Visit Britain the UK Official Tourist Authority.

March 29th 2008 - UPDATED WEBSITE - Visit our PUBLIC TOUR PICTURES PAGE for a Full Description of our 2008 Tour - Also Visit our New SLIDESHOW GALLERY on our Slideshow Page - You can view Individual Pictures - Run a Slide Show  or View in Full Screen Format - We will be adding more pictures to this Gallery over the next few months. 

March 24th 2008 -   Even with the unexpected Easter Snow the holiday opened with a huge number of visitors getting our 2008 season off to an excellent start at RAF Holmpton and a 'Full House' on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

March 16th 2008 -  A fantastic evening was had by all for the Pre Season Launch Tour in aid of the Withernsea Lifeboat. Although it was a foggy night it was nearly a Full House and we received excellent feedback on the new Tour which is now in place for the 2008 season starting on Good Friday 21st March at 10.30am. 

March 13th 2008 -  RAF HOLMPTON features on the This is Ull website and you can view the article by clicking here now - LINK 

March 11th 2008 -  SPECIAL OFFER - (March 25th to April 25th) - 2 Adult Tickets for the price of One or 1 Child Goes Free with a Paying Adult - These Special Offers will be available ONLY through the Yorkshire Tourist Board during March/April 2008 - To get your vouchers just click on the YTB Website and they will have a link to this Special Offer - You can then have a voucher emailed directly to you - Just CLICK on the direct link below to the YTB Website, then click on their SPECIAL OFFERS logo and then click on EASTER OFFERS - Simple as that - Click Here Now - www.yorkshire.com

March 6th 2008 -  RAF HOLMPTON ON BBC TV - Just click on the link below to view the BBC Look North Report on RAF Holmpton 2008 and then click on the Cold War Museum Opens it's Doors Logo - LINK

February 24th 2008 -  FLYING CLUB - Flying is set to return to RAF Holmpton after many years with the establishment of a Power Gliding Club on the site - A small airstrip is to be set up on the hilltop within our 36 acre site and the Aircraft and Club will operate from the former BT Exchange Building - It is hoped this will develop into a further attraction at RAF Holmpton and will certainly generate extra interest for our Public Tours - If you are interested in joining the flying club you can contact their Secretary: Trevor Drury on 01482 839786 or email him on trevordrury@hotmail.com Please note that need to make contact through the flying club secretary as the club is not operated by RAF Holmpton.

February 23rd 2008 -  NEW TOUR FOR 2008 - Just click on our VISITOR OPENING TIMES Page and scroll down to the TOUR CONTENT section for a complete 'Pictorial' description of the NEW 2008 PUBLIC TOUR.

February 22nd 2008 - Congratulations to 1&1 Internet on their 20th Birthday - One of the largest internet & website providers - 1&1 provide hosting for the RAF Holmpton Website from their UK Headquarters in Slough. 

February 16th 2008 - Work is now completed on all the changes and improvements for the 2008 Season - See the new item below for full details - COMING SOON - A full pictorial guide to the New Tour to be published on our Public Opening Times Page shortly.

February 10th 2008 - Work is now almost complete on the improvements and changes for the 2008 season including a New Tour - New Viewing Areas - New Films & Presentations and a New Show in the Main operations Room - We will also be opening for the very first time the Historic Message Centre which back in the 1960's formed a part of the Radar operations at RAF Holmpton - This area has been fully restored with original equipment dating back to the 50's and 60's and gives a marvellous insight into the type of technology used all those years ago and long since forgotten.

January 27th 2008 - Work starts on February 4th to install a new viewing area for the Support Command Operations Centre, this will allow for much better viewing of the room and will provide improved access to this area - Just part of the major changes for the 2008 season. 

January 20th 2008 - Another excellent Paranormal Investigation by Phil Whyman and his team - Starting at 10pm on Saturday and concluding at 6am for the weary investigators - Full details of the findings to be published shortly and we will provide a link to their website.

January 8th 2008 - Work on the New exhibitions is well under way with the historic Message Centre now completed and work starting on the New AV Presentations - Dont firget to book for the exclusive Preview Tour - Full details on our Special Events Page.

January 1st 2008 - NEW EXHIBITIONS - NEW GUIDED TOUR - NEW FILMS - NEW PRESENTATIONS & A NEW SHOW - All coming in 2008 for our new season - Special Preview Evening Tour - Saturday 15th March - Gates 7.30pm - Tour 8pm (Full details and bookings on our Public Special Events Page) - Our season then starts on Good Friday 21st March (Full details on our Public Opening Times Page)

January 1st 2008 - RAF Holmpton is delighted to have as it's patron Air Vice Marshal S Chisnall. The AVM is a serving senior RAF Officer and his current post is as Chairman of the Senior Directing Staff at the Royal College of Defence Studies. Prior to this he was ACOS A1 at RAF Strike Command High Wycombe. THE AVM is a keen supporter of our Royal Air Force Heritage. RAF Holmpton remains a part of the RAF/Defence Estate under Air Command at High Wycombe.

January 1st 2008 - RAF HOLMPTON reduces it's carbon footprint by 85% - See our About RAF Holmpton page for full details (Green Issues). 

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