News - Sheriffs ride in with pledge of support for Cold War bomber (Finningley)

ROBIN Hood played host to four sheriffs yesterday as representatives from North, South, East and West Yorkshire pledged their support for an aviation icon.

The High Sheriffs of Yorkshire’s four counties visited Robin Hood Airport, near Doncaster, to view the Cold War Vulcan bomber XH558, which is undergoing its winter service.

It is unusual for all four sheriffs to gather apart from at ceremonial occasions, but Alexandra Holford, of North Yorkshire, counts Vulcan pilot Martin Withers among her neighbours in Crayke, near Easingwold.

Mrs Holroyd said: “We were just talking at a drinks party before Christmas and we came up with the idea of getting all the sheriffs here to give the Vulcan our support.

“We all want to see her flying in the summer, but the aircraft needs a great deal of money to ensure she is airworthy for the show season.”

According to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust £300,000 is needed to ensure that the aircraft is ready for the summer show season.

Sqn Ldr Withers, who flew the Vulcan during the Falklands War, added: “We’ve spent £200,000 just on components for this service, so we really need more support.”

Donations can be made to the charity by calling 0845 5046 558

From: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/sheriffs_ride_in_with_pledge_of_support_for_cold_war_bomber_1_4172245

Review - South Yorkshire Archaeology Day 2012 (Sheffield)

This is normally my favourite reason to visit Sheffield and this year was no exception.  The Showroom Cinema room was once again sold out and various dignitaries came down to sit and watch the proceedings.

Excavations at the Medieval Hospital of Bawtry by Dawn Hadley.

The first talk of the concentrated on the medieval chapel and hospital of St Mary Magdalene at Bawtry which is currently being used as a masonic lodge. The excavations of 2010 were in a small section of car park by the chapel building.  Initially 18 bodies were identified in 16 graves on the site but after careful analysis of the disarticulated remains discovered at least 53 separate bodies.  The earliest carbon dating of these remains put the usage for burials at between 1185-1275ad.  Of the finds located other than bones was a copper alloy plate used to cover injured limbs (it was noted these sometimes had poultices in them).

Excavations at Aston Hall Hotel by Andrea Burgess

This excavation was initially done by ARCUS in 2007 and the materials and excavation were examined and interpreted by Wessex Archaeology.  The present building on site dates from 1772 and replaced an earlier hall which was destroyed by fire at Christmas 1770 which is thought to have dated to the 13th or 14th centuries.  The modern car park seems to have removed most of the archaeology and so only a small section of building was located. A sketch of the original building also exists but its accuracy was greatly debated by Wessex and members of the audience.  Finds on site included a 14th century segmented dish of East Yorkshire Sandyware type and some blue 15th century window glass and a glass bowl thought to originate from Venice.

Forgotten Industry: Research into the Stone Quarries at Green Moor by Margaret Tylee

This works was carried out to identify how much stone quarrying had been carried out at Green Moor and how much evidence was still to be found either physically or by looking at old photographs.  The Green Moor sandstone was noted for its fine close grain and its tendency not to split.  The first lease known to have been taken out was by Reuben Marsh in 1813 on land owned by the Earl of Wharncliffe. The quality of the sandstone was that good it was used as paving outside the Houses of Parliament in London and one of the local companies also had a wharf in the capital to transport their wares areound the capital. Huge 18 tonne blocks were hauled out of the quarry by teams of 10-12 horses on special flat carts.  The last quarry closed in 1936 and there are very scant remains left around the village.  New interpretation boards will be st up so visitors can see how the landscape progressed during these industrious times.

Craft & People at Holme Head by Bob Johnston

This talk looked on the industrial Rivelin Valley and two of the twenty water wheels which used to dominate the area. The earliest record of Holme Wheel is from 1742 when the land was owned by the Duke of Norfolk and plots leased out.  One building was initially built and during later periods a second joined it and they were expanded.  The mill mainly finished off knives with blanks being delivered for wet grinding and a final dry grind to glaze the metal. Evidence of both carbon steel and Stainless steel blanks were found during the excavation. The building still stood in the 1950's and it was unclear when it was pulled down or collapsed.  The other mill mentioned was later 2 storey Roscoe Wheel built further downstream and its related cottages of which only the foundations still remain.

Experience Barnsley by John Tanner

This talks concentrated on the towns first museum which is to be opened sometime during summer/Autumn 2012.  The museum has had a lot of work to do as most of the collection has had to be built up from scratch.  John expressed his great admiration for the people of Barnsley and their generosity and helpfulness in getting exhibits for the project.  The museum will be situated on the ground floor and basement of Barnsley Town Hall built in 1933 and will also have a separate archive centre. There are also plans to have digital content and interpretation boards and a conservation  workshop.

RAF Finningley and the Cold War by Roger Thomas

There seemed to be a lot of trepidation from the audience over such a modern subject at the archaeology day but Rogers efforts were well thought out and it gave the audience a lot to think about on interpreting sites which are though of as contemporary.  The talk was not on aircraft but on the buildings, staff housing and infrastructure associated with running an RAF base and how the site developed between 1932 when it was opened and the V Bomber days of the 1960's and 70's.   The talk also concentrated on how the runway and aircraft storage adapted to the times and how aircraft hard standings could easily be misinterpreted of it was not known that what they were.  The nuclear weapon stores such as the 'Unit Store type B1' were constructed and the various other small buildings used to house separate parts of the bombs mechanics.  It was also noted the Finningley hheld the UK's first hydrogen bombs called 'Violet Club'

After this talk one of the audience brought up the situation regarding the Traditional Heritage Centre and how important it was to preserve our local remains, receiving a resounding applause from the audience.  I also mentioned the visits available at Finningley for the last flying Vulcan XH558 and Vulcan to the Sky.

Excavation at Manor Farm, Bessacarr by Paula Ware

This plot of land lies between the M18 and East Coast Mainline south of Doncaster.  It has planning permission for 1000 houses to be built on it at roughly 50 per year.  The site was named after a c.17th century farm which was demolished in 1998 leaving only remains of some pig sty's on site. There were many Romano-British fragments of pottery recovered from one ditch numbering 212 sherds in all.  There was also the remains of an industrial scale furnace bottoms with large amounts of iron slag being recovered.  Henry II gifted the land to Kirkstall Abbey ad it is believed a small settlement was somewhere on site due to the large limestone blocks recovered.  a 16th century Jetton and some cistercian ware was also found.  It is hoped that a further excavation will happen next year with some community involvement.

Excavating Doncasters Civic & Cultural Quarter by Dave Aspden

The new CCT will occupy the site previous used for horse stables and selling called Glasgow paddock which was later Doncaster bus station before becoming a car park.  The site contained many roman urns holding cremated bodies along with several burials and lamps with the lettering Strobili and FORTIS on them, possibly denoting their manufacturer or that they were copies made in this country.  Included with the cremations were burnt dates, figs and grapes.  A first century glass jug was also found on site although it was very nearly destroyed as it was excavated by a digger!  The site also had World war 1 practice trenches in it created by men from the nearby Scarborough Barracks.

Heres looking forward to next years event - surely another sellout showing how important we view history and archaeology in our area.

Event - Last Vulcan Flight of the Year times (Finningley)

Vulcan to the Sky are happy to report all 558 tickets for the event in the viewing gallery at Robin Hood Airport sold out just after lunchtime today.

An exciting day is certainly in prospect and we hope for good serviceability of XH558 and some luck with the weather.

Make sure you watch their Twitter feed and Facebook pages for all the latest news as it happens.

However, this flight comes at a very awkward time for the Trust with our cash reserves almost depleted. The fuel bill alone will be nearly £10,000.

It is the sight of XH558 by many thousands of people over the day that we hope will help them. Not only immediately, but as they strive to reach our funding targets for next year. With the assistance from their supporter's club, they have people on the ground distributing leaflets at several locations on Sunday.

Here is where you might catch a glimpse of XH558:

XH558's Detailed Flight Plan for Sunday 16th (Subject to weather and serviceability - all timings approximate)

1345 - Crew in
1445 - XH558 departs Robin Hood
1515 - Flypast at Highclere Castle
1545 - Flypast at Highclere Castle
1600 - Flypast at Wootton Bassett
1630 - Overflight at Wellesbourne
1655 - Land at Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster
1700 - 'Hot' change of crew
1705 - Take off for crew currency flight - circuits
1715 - Landing and return to parking

If you wish to make the difference, please do visit their donation page or TEXT VULCAN to 70558 to make a £5 donation from your mobile phone.

Calls cost £5 plus one standard text message and you must have the bill payer's permission. They receive at least £4.60 from every call made. 

Modified from their email posted today.  Hope the weather is good :) I'll be stood in a field!

Event - Last Vulcan Flight of the Year (Finningley)

The last flying Avro Vulcan, XH558 has been booked in to make one final appearance for the year when Wootton Bassett receives the Royal title for its recent use of being the town which until recently has received the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan after repatriation at RAF Lyneham.

XH558 should take off from Finningley (Robin Hood Airport) mid-afternoon on October 16th and the Vulcan to the Sky charity are marking the day with a special event to give fans a chance to see the aircraft by positioning it outside the airport terminal and having a Family Fun Day prior to flight.  Tickets are available at £6 for adults and £3 for children.

This will be the last flight before the Vulcan goes for its winter maintenance programme.  To book a ticket for the event contact Vulcan to the Sky at http://www.vulcantotheskystore.co.uk/category/558_s_Family_Day_Event___Sun_16th_Oct,i.html

Event - Vulcan to the Sky Hangar Tours (Finningley)

Vulcan to the Sky have announced that tours of the Hangar at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster are able to be booked from Monday 19th September.

This is the first time since restoration, that the general public will be able to get regular access to the V-bomber.  To book a place call 01302 776411 between 10am – 4pm. Tour dates are available between 25th September and 23rd October, although additional dates will be added during October.  Places must be pre-booked and are only available by calling the dedicated booking line.

Only a few places are available at a time so your visit can be savoured. Tours will last approximately two hours from arrival. 

Website: http://www.vulcantothesky.org/

News - Vulcan returns to cold-war hangar to be centrepiece for events, education and engineering centres (Finningley

The last flying Vulcan has moved into Hangar 3 at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, the historic site of former RAF Finningley. For the first time, this much-loved aircraft will have a dedicated home, open to the public and available for private and commercial events. Plans are also being laid down for a facility for skills development, using the inspirational nature of the Vulcan to provide training and team building for engineering companies. In the longer term, a world leading centre of expertise for the restoration and operation of heritage jet aircraft will also be developed.

"This is one of the biggest steps for Vulcan XH558 since her return to flight in 2007. It brings a new era of opportunities that will help to fund her future and provide new levels of access for her supporters," said Vulcan to the Sky Trust CEO, Dr Robert Pleming. "These are early days in deciding exactly what facilities will be included. Developing the funding and detailed plans needed to turn our ideas into reality will take some time, but I am thrilled to be able to share our vision at this stage."

Hangar 3 is one of the airport's crescent of Type C hangars built in 1935 and adapted from 1955-57 to take the RAF's new V-Bombers. All three V-Force types were based at the airfield - Valiant, Victor and Vulcan - including XH558 from 1960 to 1968. During this period, Vulcans stood on Quick Reaction Alert, ready to take off in just a couple of minutes in response to the detection of a potential nuclear attack, carrying Britain's nuclear deterrent deep into enemy territory. The original architecture, bomb-stores and even the aircraft holding pans are all well preserved, making this the ideal location for the new visitor centre and a uniquely evocative location for education and events.

Because the Vulcan has been based at military airfields for the last two years, providing public access has been challenging. The top priority for her new home is therefore to provide visitor facilities. Initially, this will be by pre-booked tours, including visits by local schools through the educational outreach programme. The facility will be progressively developed to provide a visitor centre with a retail store and educational displays covering XH558's technology and restoration, and an insight into the Cold War; "A critical but increasingly overlooked period in World History, with many lessons relevant to today," according to Dr. Pleming. These facilities will continue to expand to eventually create an important new visitor attraction for Yorkshire, which is already independently recognised as one of Europe's most successful tourist destinations.

The fabulous Hangar 3 location will also provide an outstanding new events and hospitality venue, professionally-managed by Directions Community Interest Company, which facilitates all activities associated with Hangar 3 and Hangar 2. With staging, lighting, catering, audio visual facilities and flexible seating for up to 400 around the Vulcan, it will provide an unique and powerful venue for private and corporate events, and for smaller VIP parties which can also include a tour of the aircraft. Vulcan celebrity speakers, including aircrew, can be arranged.

Ideas are also in development for an engineering skills centre that will build on the presence of XH558 and her technical team to provide inspirational training experiences for apprentices and young engineers. "Initial reaction from industry has been superb, with suggestions and offers of help in setting up courses and providing expertise," says technical director Andrew Edmondson. "We would like to talk to any company that may find it useful to offer a truly inspiring environment for team building and basic training in areas that may include project management, audit, craft and trade skills, compliance and potentially a lot more. I'd like to understand your needs so we can evolve this unique resource to help satisfy them in an inspiring way."

Andrew Edmondson is best known as the engineering leader who, under the guidance of Robert Pleming, successfully completed the world's most ambitious aviation heritage project when XH558 returned to the skies in 2007. He is also playing a key role in negotiations with the Civil Aviation Authority, with whom he is working to revise airworthiness requirements for the Complex category of ex-military aircraft. Pleming believes that the experience of Edmondson and his team, which today ensures that XH558 is more reliable than many military aircraft, has given Vulcan to the Sky Trust the world's most complete expertise in the restoration, maintenance and safe operation of classic heritage jets. This knowledge, together with the workshop resources of the Vulcan to the Sky technical crew, will be made available to those who are operating the growing number of privately owned ex-military heritage jet aircraft.

"We are reaching a period where there are an increasing number of ex-military jets available for private ownership and operation, ranging from relatively simple trainers to more sophisticated multi-engined aircraft. Running them is a completely different proposition to operating say a Spitfire, or even an early jet like a Hunter," says Edmondson. "We can help solve that challenge, advising on what is possible, developing and implementing restoration plans and providing maintenance and operational management within an approved quality system, to the world's highest safety standards."

"The new centre will help to keep many more of these wonderful vintage aircraft alive and safe, providing enjoyment for generations to come," concludes Edmondson.

Engineers as Heroes

Highlighting the substantial step between the Vulcan and its immediate predecessor the Avro Lancaster, Dr. Pleming notes the contribution made by its designers. "We always think of the pilots and crew as the heroes and yes they are, their skills and bravery are an example to us all. But their achievements wouldn't be possible without the incredible talents of the engineers whose genius, imagination and dedication allows us to do things that just a few years earlier would have been impossible," says Dr. Pleming. "The various inspirational aspects of the new Vulcan facility will place these remarkable people alongside the aircrew as our heroes and role models, to inspire the next generation of engineers and aviators."

Craig Richmond, CEO of Peel Airports, which operates Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport, sees the opportunities that the Vulcan offers for the airport, for the region and for XH558's supporters. "Having the last flying example operating from 'the home of the V-Force', in the town that also hosted Britain's first airshow, is a fabulous tribute to the men and women who were based here when the airfield played a key strategic role in Britain's defences," he says. "Peel Airports is committed to developing all aspects of aviation activity at the airport and is delighted to be able to provide a home for this inspirational historic aircraft at what is today a modern commercial airport."

Invest in Doncaster, part of Doncaster Council, also saw the potential opportunities more than two years ago and has been in discussions with Vulcan to the Sky Trust since. Manager of Investment Chris Dungworth said, "This is the beginning of another world-class attraction for Doncaster, not just for tourism but also for education, engineering and hospitality. The fit is perfect and we are one hundred percent behind Vulcan to the Sky Trust and Doncaster Sheffield Airport to help them make it happen."

The last flying Vulcan receives no funding from the RAF or from Government. She is almost entirely dependent on public support. To find out how to help keep her flying, visit www.vulcantothesky.org where there is also a history of the aircraft and a wide range of Vulcan merchandise including the beautifully-illustrated 50th Anniversary book and a limited number of the highly-regarded account of the Falklands mission, Vulcan 607, signed by Black Buck 1, squadron leader Martin Withers DFC.

Background Information

Invest in Doncaster is Doncaster Council's Economic Development arm. The team provides a comprehensive package of support to help make it easier for companies who wish to move to Doncaster, relocate or expand within the region. The team provides information to both existing and potential businesses on a wide range of issues including the availability of land and premises, business development, financial benefits, HR consultancy, and information on the local economy. The team is also responsible for Doncaster Tourism and management of the Tourism Information Centres

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is the UK's newest purpose built international airport, having commenced operation in April 2005 on the site of the former RAF Finningley air base. The Airport is located seven miles from Doncaster and 25 miles from Sheffield, serving passengers across Yorkshire, the Humber and the North Midlands.

In June 2010, Vancouver Airport Services acquired a 65 percent majority share in Peel Airports Limited, which includes DSA. The Peel Group retained a 35 percent share in Peel Airports Limited. In 2010, the airport handled just under over 900,000 passengers, an increase of 5% compared to the previous year with flights to over 30 destinations currently available. Principle airlines providing services at the Airport include TUI (the world's largest leisure company), Flybe, Ryanair, Thomas Cook and Wizz Air.

Significant recent investment of over £100 million includes a new terminal. With one of the UK's longest runways, Doncaster Sheffield Airport has the capacity to handle all types of international aviation including charter, scheduled, long-haul, freight, general and business aviation.

From: http://www.industrytoday.co.uk/aerospace/vulcan-returns-to-cold-war-hangar-to-be-centrepiece-for-events-education-and-engineering-centres-/4988

XH558 at home (RAF Finningley)

Finally home; Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558 at Robin Hood airport

News - Vulcan on show in Doncaster (Finningley)

Plane enthusiasts will have a chance to see the iconic Vulcan close up this Easter.

The last flying Vulcan, XH558, will be on show from a viewing gallery at Robin Hood Airport from Good Friday until May 2.

From the viewing gallery, visitors will be able to see the Vulcan XH558 parked up outside, take photographs, try the flight simulator and visit the shop for lots of Vulcan memorabilia - with volunteers on hand to answer questions about the stunning craft.

It will be free to view the plane between, but there is a parkign charge. However, if a discounted car parking ticket of £3 will be offered to people making a purchase at Wetherspons in terminal building and this will cover the parking for the five hours the plane can be viewed.

For the viewing gallery, visitors are asked to enter the main terminal building and follow the clearly marked out signs.

For more details of the viewing conditions please visit: www.robinhoodairport.com.

From: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/doncaster-news/vulcan_on_show_in_doncaster_1_3307199

News - Vulcan flies home (Finningley)

THE LAST flying Vulcan bomber has returned to its former Cold War base.

The iconic aircraft will spend the summer based at Robin Hood Airport, formerly RAF Finningley, the home of the Vulcan in the 1960s.

The agreement to base the XH558 at Doncaster for the summer could be the first stage in the development of a visitor centre that will eventually be linked to a facility to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians.

“We are thrilled that the last flying Vulcan has come home,” says Vulcan to the Sky Trust CEO Dr Robert Pleming.

“We all feel that something very special could be created here but I must emphasise that these are early days in the discussions.”

 

From: http://www.gainsboroughstandard.co.uk/news/local-news/vulcan_flies_home_1_3230947