Hi from Oliver, in Waterbeach

[OliverM]

Hello all,

Hi there. So I finally got round to joining....

I've been a volunteer at RAF Waterbeach Museum at the Barracks since 2006. Shortly after I became the Hon Curator, taking over from a civilian member of 12 Engineer Group (Air Support) who are the brigade level RE unit running Waterbeach Station. He continued as OiC (officer in charge). I have no armed forces background, but I have worked in libraries and archives in Cambridge University, Middlesex University and local industry. Originally I trained in plant biology at university!

As you can imagine I had a steep learning curve, but had the advantage of access to the University Library in Cambridge. Soon after I met John Hamlin who lives locally. Together we published an updated version of John's 1987 booklet:

Hamlin, John F., with Oliver J. Merrington
At the 'Beach: the story of Royal Air Force Waterbeach and Waterbeach Barracks.
Peterborough: GMS Enterprises, 2011.
ISBN 1904514634
£9.95 from me, John or Graham.

And the year after the government announced that Waterbeach Barracks was to close in 2013 - see subsequent messages from me.
The Museum is closing too, at the end of September. If you would like to visit before then, see
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver....museum2012.pdf
Or you can get my email address & phone number from Richard F, Paul F or John H.

Richard & I are planning an article in a future issue of Airfield Review.

See also http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?p=1866026

Best wishes,

Oliver

[Arcade Al]

Hi Oliver, welcome. Sorry to hear that the museum is closing - I have to admit I didn't know it was there, despite being relatively local!
I will try my hardest to visit before it does.

[REF]

Hi Oliver, great to see you on the forum. I am looking forward to meeting up next week and visiting the museum and airfield.

I can highly reccomend the book for those who have an interest in the airfield.

Looking forward to putting the article in Airfield Review as well

Our own Waterbeach thread is here;
http://www.airfieldinformationexchan...415-Waterbeach

Richard

[PNK]

Welcome to the forum. Used to go past Waterbeach on a regular basis to Brandon and Hunstanton until they improved the A14/A45 (can't recall what it is today!) Shame the earth bank hid a lot of the airfield from the road.

[Bigbear]

Hi Oliver and welcome to the AiX. Are you joining the ARG too? I think your skills would be most welcome. I used to live in the married quarters when my dad was stationed there!

I was looking forward to visiting the airfield as well. Did I miss something Rich?

[REF]

Hi Oliver and welcome to the AiX. Are you joining the ARG too? I think your skills would be most welcome. I used to live in the married quarters when my dad was stationed there!

I was looking forward to visiting the airfield as well. Did I miss something Rich?

Nothing Missed Bigbear, I am just heading over with Jason. I'd like to get a proper visit organised for ARG this year and I will get some dates sorted this week hopefully.

Cheers

[OliverM]

Hi Oliver and welcome to the AiX. Are you joining the ARG too?

Yes I am joining the ARG, and the Archives Group, too.

May not be possible to organise an official ARG/AiX visit to Waterbeach, could be easier if people come over individually. Watch this space....

Oliver

[Bigbear]

Yes I am joining the ARG, and the Archives Group, too.

May not be possible to organise an official ARG/AiX visit to Waterbeach, could be easier if people come over individually. Watch this space....

Oliver

Hi Oliver,

I thought I'd PM you, but it seems I can't! Anyway, I'd love to come over because as well as visiting the airfield with a new interest, my dad was stationed there when I was a kid. We lived in the married quarters (I assume they are still there) and he was, I think, responsible for building the swimming pool!

Regards,

Dietmar

[Bomber]

Hi Oliver Please count me in i can get any time so let me know .
Regards ,
Bomber .

[OliverM]

Yes, I'm afraid I've switched off IM - I just don't have time at present.
As I said before you can get my email address from REF - or see the attached - not clickable to reduce spam. email1.gif

Visting the Museum is free of charge, please give at least 48hrs notice - however there may not always be someone available.

We are currently fundraising as the Museum has no money at all!
If you wish to see Hangars & Technical buildings a tour in my car will cost £10 per person and the visit must be on a weekday in the morning. Interiors might also be possible. Maximum of two people in each tour.
If you want see the runway or memorial garden (outside the fence) a tour in my car will also cost £10 per person and the visit must be at a weekend. Maximum of two people in each tour.
It is no longer possible to combine these two tours on the same day, as I have health problems.
Please bring cash as the museum has no bank account.
These tours are only possible in August or September 2012.

REF, Jason H & I will be posting photographs once these have been cleared by the Army.

Oliver