Bletchley Park

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13 years 9 months

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I think a lot of us on this forum know the highly important role that Bletchley Park played in WW11.
I have been meaning to put this on the forum for some time, however, if you subscribe to the following address, you will receive a very informative news letter every now and agaiin.
It's one of those places, like Bovington tank museum, I keep meaning to go, but more inportant things have taken prior place last year.
The email address is as follows.........info@bletchleypark.org.uk

Lincoln .7

:)

Original post

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14 years 5 months

Posts: 4,956

Thank you for that. I read an extremely good book on Bletchley at the end of last year and passed it on to a distant relative who worked there. Its role has never been given the recognition it deserved and but for the thousands who worked there the war might have lasted longer and the end might have been very different.

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15 years 2 months

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I live 5 to 10 mins drive from Bletchley park. I went there last year. Its a really good place to go if you get the chance. They even have a harrier there and I believe the nose section of a Hawker Hunter.

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

Thank you for that. I read an extremely good book on Bletchley at the end of last year and passed it on to a distant relative who worked there. Its role has never been given the recognition it deserved and but for the thousands who worked there the war might have lasted longer and the end might have been very different.

I know it's importance is finaly being recognised inasmuch as long over due repairs have been done, although I am unaware as to what has been restored.
Lincoln. 7

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

I live 5 to 10 mins drive from Bletchley park. I went there last year. Its a really good place to go if you get the chance. They even have a harrier there and I believe the nose section of a Hawker Hunter.

After being so tied up last year with one thing and another, I am determined to go this year, even more so as you have given it a good "Write up".

Many thanks.

Lincoln .7

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17 years 6 months

Posts: 9,739

I’ve only been to Bletchley Park once, about six years ago, and my initial impression was one of huge disappointment. Bletchley House seemed empty, with very little to explain either its role in wartime or its importance. The rest of the site seemed very run-down (understandably) but also seemed to lack focus, with a disparate collection of exhibits many (although interesting in their own right) with little or no connection with Bletchley Park or code-breaking.

What saved the visit for me was a group of wireless enthusiasts (one of whom was an ex-Bomber Command operator) who were happy to chat to visitors, to demonstrate their equipment (and skill) and to let the ham-fisted have a go at sending morse-code.

Several years later, although it wasn’t at Bletchley Park, I did also meet one of the museum staff (or volunteer) on a stand at RAF Cosford during an airshow and had the pleasure of actually working an original Enigma machine; it was quite something to have the thing opened-up and to actually handle the rotors that I’d read so much about. This experience made the absence of similar hands-on exhibits a Bletchley Park all the more noticeable; code-breaking is a bit abstract at the best of times (especially for the young) and I think museums need something physical for visitors to experience.

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13 years 9 months

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Thanks CD for the info. Has anyone been there recently to give us an update please.As for the enigma machine, didn't they have an 8 wheel machine?.

Lincoln .7

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15 years 2 months

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The trouble is bletchley park is quite run down, that is really true. However, it was still interesting to look around the house and the little huts too.
I think the only disappointment is that they dont seem to get as much credit and cash injection to restore it all as they should.

You can go on a tour there, or you can walk around on your own.

Member for

17 years 6 months

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Having re-read my post I think I may have been a little hard on Bletchley Park; I don’t want anybody to be put-off. I’d also like to hear from anybody who has had a more recent visit than me.

Overall there is great potential at the site for a code-breaking (and computer) museum but I think that there is great need for investment and I can understand the struggle that the current museum has in raising funds and bringing the site up to ‘modern’ museum standards.

As for the enigma machine, didn't they have an 8 wheel machine?

I think the one you are thinking about is the four-rotor Enigma machine ‘Shark’ developed for the German Navy; this machine was famously stolen a while back, ‘ransomed’ and then finally posted to Jeremy Paxman at the BBC.

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

The trouble is bletchley park is quite run down, that is really true. However, it was still interesting to look around the house and the little huts too.
I think the only disappointment is that they dont seem to get as much credit and cash injection to restore it all as they should.

You can go on a tour there, or you can walk around on your own.

So, From what I can gather, this most historical building and huts have been left to go to rack and ruin, and we send money for overseas aid. You just couldn;t make it up.Mind you, it's ONLY our National Heritage.
What about the Lottery funding repairs>. have they tried.

Lincoln .7

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15 years 2 months

Posts: 2,828

Yeah, I know what you mean actually. Its sad to think we dont really lookafter our own things as much as we could.

I think I heard they got some lottery funding, but I dont think it was much in comparison to what they really need.

When are you thinking of going there?

Member for

13 years 4 months

Posts: 36

Public House and village sign.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/PAULS%20SCANS%20TWO/window-31.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/PAULS%20SCANS%20TWO/window0001-24.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/PAULS%20SCANS%20TWO/window.jpg

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

Having re-read my post I think I may have been a little hard on Bletchley Park; I don’t want anybody to be put-off. I’d also like to hear from anybody who has had a more recent visit than me.

Overall there is great potential at the site for a code-breaking (and computer) museum but I think that there is great need for investment and I can understand the struggle that the current museum has in raising funds and bringing the site up to ‘modern’ museum standards.

I think the one you are thinking about is the four-rotor Enigma machine ‘Shark’ developed for the German Navy; this machine was famously stolen a while back, ‘ransomed’ and then finally posted to Jeremy Paxman at the BBC.


Hi C.D. I remember the theft of the one you mentioned, but I have a gut feeling that the Germans developed an 8 wheeler, just towards the end of the war, there again, I stand to be corrected.

Lincoln.7

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/PAULS%20SCANS%20TWO/window-31.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/PAULS%20SCANS%20TWO/window0001-24.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/airfieldsman/PAULS%20SCANS%20TWO/window.jpg

Hi bookman. Thanks for the photos, do they happen to have any exhibits in the pub that relate to Bletchley Park?.
Thanks.

Lincoln .7

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15 years 2 months

Posts: 2,828

The Enigma Tavern has a website with photos on it. I dunno if we can post links here but look up Enigma Tavern Bletchley and you will get their site come up.

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13 years 4 months

Posts: 36

Enigma Tavern.

Hi Lincoln .7 Sorry to say that I've never been in the Tavern as I'm always there early morning,though strangely this thursday I will get a chance to look around. I'll let you know later. Cheers Bookman :)

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

Thank you.

Lincoln .7

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

The Enigma Tavern has a website with photos on it. I dunno if we can post links here but look up Enigma Tavern Bletchley and you will get their site come up.

Thank you.

Lincoln .7

Member for

13 years 4 months

Posts: 36

Enigma Tavern.

Hi Lincoln. 7 Called at the Tavern today later in the morning but sadly still no sign of life, couldn't really see much through the windows. Still, EGTC told you of their web site, didn't know about that, not that it seems to show anything of Enigma interest. Or have I missed something? One of these days I will get inside there.....:rolleyes:

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

Hi Bookman well, at least you had a try, although I do doubt that anything relating to them having anything relating to the actual machinery , code books etc would be in there anyway.
It was just a thought, and thanks again for putting yourself out.

Lincoln .7 :)