Blidworth

[REF]

The airstrip itself was roughly E/W and was in the large field to the east of Blidworth Lodge (Between Long Dale and Blidworth Lodge). CDP and I were chatting about its location the other day!

[NJR]

Do you mean the west of Blidworth Lodge? Longdale is to the west

[REF]

Yep, west - was a bit early for me when I wrote that!!

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks Peter. I have several more references to BHQs at SLGs. In no case do I have an accurate location or description. A six figure OSGB reference normally describes a 100m x 100m square NOT a point and many DoB sourced ones have been wildly inaccurate.

Don't we know it! That's why field trips are so important. SLGs had few features to use as landmarks when they were in use; now, seventy years later it is a real challenge.

I have not dwelt on BHQs at SLGs although I do know that some non-airfield sites had them. I shall remember BHQs when I find anything related to SLGs and let you know.

EDIT: Blidworth is recorded as having had an unpaved 1000 yard strip approx east/west with storage for 52 fighter type aircraft and was service manned, i.e. not civilian. (Source Airfield Review No 91 July 2001)

[Ossington_2008]

I think BBH has a lot to answer for! Action Stations Vol 2, page 48:
"...which appears to be ventilation for an underground structure of some kind."
You mean this thing?



At SK57073 54161? It is nothing to do with the SLG but a cistern for local water supplies. Something water-related has been on this site since bef WW1 at least. The Pastscape entry is also erroneous. There is nothing at the point it refers to, SK590540, which also happens to be the incorrect OS grid ref BBH gives for the siting of the SLG. That said, is THIS thing, not too far away, replicated at any other SLG?



OK, it isn't a standard pattern BHQ but is it military?

[PETERTHEEATER]

Thanks Ossie,

I'm not surprised that the NGR for the supposed BHQ is erroneous. The covered 'reservoir' , as you say, is unrelated to the SLG.

What is the location of the other structure?