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Reunion 2012 date proposed as the 8th August?

Posted by Martin on January 3, 2012 at 4:40 AM

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I propose Wednesday 8th August 2012 as the date for 2012's reunion at The Inn at Greatworth for this years reunion meet. This is the second wednesday in August and will be our 3rd Reunion.

I have made this proposal very early in the year so as to `get in to' everyones diary in good time for their organisation of their years commitments, i.e. holidays and vacations etc.

Should this date prove unsuitable for the majority of interested parties, please reply to the blog with another proposed date.

Again this year, I am circulating this proposal to ALL members of this site, just because some members cannot* attend, doesn't and will not exclude them from being part of the reunion, it is as though they are there in spirit, if not in actuality. So for those of us who do attend, please, lots of blog entries and pictures. This includes folk who do visit these shores from afar to make the scene.

Tom Hall

* A large part of the sites membership is scattered around the world.

Some more Greatworth history

Posted by Roy on November 8, 2011 at 6:20 AM

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Hello Martin,

As you suggested. I have had a trawl (crawl) through the Early Years to see if anything familiar turns up. At first I thought the Nissen Huts rang a bell, but all Nissen Huts look alike really. What decided me against was that the aerial masts in the background were too close - our billets backed onto open fields to the N and the masts were between us and the Tx site to the E or SE - and the Mess was larger than I remember..

The OS 1946 map showed up very little and I wonder whether the camp was excluded because it was a military site and thus a secret not for the general public.

What was interesting was to see the railway. I'm sure I remember a single track in a deep cutting near the village. I suspect it was unused even then, and I never did discover what railway it was or where it went.

I'm sorry I cannot be of more help to you, but I'll keep on trying.

Regards,

Roy

Some Greatworth History

Posted by Roy on November 6, 2011 at 6:00 AM

comments (2)

Roy

Nov. 05 2011 at 12:36 PM Hello Martin,

You've certainly gor the old grey matter working and I'm sorry that there were not too many cameras around in 1951 to record the scene.

The accommodation site I remember was about half a mile across the fields SW of the Main Site. (The aerial photo shows a later one with a tennis court on the Main Site, but that is not the one I remember). Our site was on the right hand side of a minor road W then N out of Greatworth. From the aerial photo there now appears to be a large expanse of greenhouses around there. A little to the N of these is another large building which looks as though it could be a farmyard. Either one of these is a possible although my guess is the farmyard. When I last saw the site in the late 1980s the huts and the COs house were no more - just acres of cornfield.

The COs house was about 100 yards from the old accommodation blocks on the village side and was sited about 50 yards back from the road. It was a detached house, and that's about all I can remember. If there was a garden, then it would have been a pretty big patch for anyone to manage.

You ask about the ablutions. They were separate from the Nissen Huts, at right angles to them and furthest from,and facing, the road. I believe they were constructed of stone or concrete, certainly something more durable than the huts. The boilerhouse with chimney and a small coal fired boiler was attached. The usual facilities were inside and comprised about half a dozen basins, two or three toilets and an ancient bath. All just about acceptable in Summer, but I don't like to think about what Winter must have been like there. And don't ask about the drains - at least they seemed to work.

If anything else comes to mind, I'll let you know.

Regards,

Roy

Old Accomodation Blocks.

Posted by Martin on August 17, 2011 at 2:55 AM

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Martin, following discussions last Wednesday at the Reunion about the postion of the old Nissen Huts, I contacted Derrick Savage (who was there at that time) I forward to you his reply, it appears that they were in the next field, to the LEFT, just over the hedge from the new accomodation block, Derrick thinks that they even used the same path across the Aerial Farm to the Transmitter Hall. So it looks as though the mystery is solved, the Nissen Huts were alongside the Public road B4525, next to the "new" Block.

Subject: RAF Greatworth old site position.

Hello Eric.

Thanks for your E-mail. Its amazing how information gradually disappears with time. I am firmly of the opinion, that there is no such thing as permanent record. Even in these modern times with advanced communications and information storage techniques, given enough time information details fade away.

Now to try to answer your question, I would like to know where the new accommodation block was situated relative to roads and the transmitter hall using the Google satellite image of that area.

I am assuming the Google default satellite view is showing north at the top of the page. Now centre your viewing of the Google satellite image over the cruciform shape of what was the transmitter hall and zoom in to include the B4525 road running east/west. Approximately 250 yards north of the hall there is another, what looks like some sort of industrial compound that has a well defined car park. This car park looks relatively recent. The northern edge of this car park was as far as I can tell the southern boundary of the old accommodation block. This extended right through to the B4525 road where there was an entry gate to the site. As one came through the gate, 6 nissen huts were on the left and on the right was the canteen /recreation nissen hut. I expect you have seen my photographs of these huts and that of the interior of the tranmitter hall.

Now two very interesting features of the satellite picture is a well trodden footpath stemming out from the corner of the car park towards the transmitter hall. I am fairly certain this was the access path to the hall we used, when I was there. I distinctly remember one of the rhombic 90 ft aerial towers being very adjacent to this path. The 2nd point of interest is the concrete bases of some of the aerial towers that can be seen in the field near to the industrial buildings (ex accommodation area), one of which is immediately next to the path.

The old accommodation block looked like a grim prison compound while I was there. It was bearable during the summer months, but there was nothing endearing about the camp site throughout the winter, when it was decided to rebuild the transmitter hall around the old decaying nissen style hall. One end of the hall, where the feeder lines went out of the building was open to the elements throughout the building process. It was so cold in there the mercury vapour rectifiers would not vaporise properly shorting anode to cathode causing the demise of the 3 phase contactors as they welded together and the fuse link holders shattered as the fuse ruptured violently.

Needless to say I was glad to get out of the place. Anyway I hope the above information is of assistance to you. Please keep in touch and let me know what you discover about the place.

Kind regards.

Derrick R. Savage

War time Greatworth

Posted by Martin on August 14, 2011 at 9:05 AM

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Hi from Vancouver Island,

I wrote to RAF Innsworth and asked for my service record and have had it for some time. I just looked for it to discover what the place was called (eg ??SU) when I was posted there late '43. I cannot find it at the moment and will keep looking. Apart from the pic of the SWB 11, everything is unfamiliar in your photos. I recall that enormous butterfly condenser in the SWB 11 output stage. Back then no accommodation on site. Long, long road from gate to tx building.

Congrats on your reunion

Michael O'Hagan

In a following comunication Michael added:-

Hi Martin, (Tom)

The F.O in the guise of MI6 acquired the BP estate around 1938. It was the tenth in the series of acquisitions

for special purposes and given the nomenclature Station X.

The army element had its own T/R facilities, but I cannot be sure the RAF did not use them.

BP’s own records are poor on the RAF T/R history. Hinsley wrote the definitive history of BP, and we

corresponded in the 1990s. He acknowledged the paucity if comms history, pointing out it was not the aspect

in which the public were interested. We may perhaps assume it started around the same time as the Rx

station

I joined August 40. was at Moreton in the Marsh OTU Sep 42 to early 43. arrived at Chicksands B (Shefford) in

early ‘43-sent there whilst being security cleared. That must have been a couple of months, maybe less, and

many Waaf were similarly being cleared. During this time I went on a course at CREED, Croydon to learn High

speed morse equipment. I shall never forget that when my course assessment was read to me back at

Chicksands, it said, “This airman could not even put a bicycle pedal together.”

When I was posted in to BP, all four watches were working, and there were I think 4 or maybe 8 of us . I was a

WOM.

The 80:80 DTN lines were in and the block was working to SLUs around the world. Church Green was not established until 1944. Greatworth had no resident officer. We, at BP, had four I think. S/L Paterson led three P/Os who did watch duty.

I was taken to GW by Paterson whilst still serving at BP. I guess it was one of his routine visits and he took the opportunity to take me along. I was posted there latish 1944.

I knew of nobody else billeted at Helmdon, but that may not mean much. I once ran a dance at a local pub. I once won a goose egg in a raffle. I would hitch to/from London, recall doing the last bit to Helmdon on a hay-cart. GW worked four watches yet I do not recall ever doing a night shift. It would not have fitted well with landladies. I once rode the liberty truck (6d?) to Banbury. Forgive me if these are snatches of memory. Who was in charge there? I cannot remember. I do recall wanting to go to midnight mass and being sneered at by somebody-and that somebody being told to shut up by whoever it was in charge. I am fairly sure there was no sleeping accommodation and thus everybody must have been billeted out.Off the tx hall, there was a kind of mechanic’s rest room

At no time, as far as I can recall, was GW attacked and I think the same is true of BP. I tell a story of BP at the time when Sicily had been won and the jump to Italy was on. On our link to Catania, the undulators used a tube to convey ink to the pen. We ran out. None to be found anywhere, Frantic calls being made by officers to Creed. I walked downtown to the cycle shop and bought some valve tubing. It solved the problem. That link was back in operation. And the RAF still owes me sixpence.

The path from road/gate to tx hall was very long.

Just had another throw-out looking for my Service records to see what it says about GW. No luck, Will look in the storage room one day.

We seldom repositioned rhombics. I suspect that was because I got there after D-Day and BP was working Italy (and all the fixed stations) and bearings did not change so frequently.,

Sunday morning. 19 degrees. Life is good. I retired at own (foolish) insistence in 1964. The world has changed a bit since then, and because you lot in UK let the pound collapse, I get drastically fewer dollars.

Regards

Michael O'Hagan

Michael Continued again:-

Hi again. I've Found it.

1st March 43 from 21 out to 372 WU. Creed april 10

372 WU April 18 '43. renamed Church Green but with no date given then 8 R.S. in April '45.

No mention of GW and I suspect it was regarded as an outstation of 372 WU

although no mention of GW.

This reads promoted T/Cpl 28.7.44 so that must be when I went to GW.

Not much help, I’m afraid but it makes sense for the RAF to consider GW as an outstation of 372 WU.

Regards

Michael O’Hagan

2nd Reunion 10th August 2011!!

Posted by Martin on July 30, 2011 at 12:35 PM

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10th August at "The Inn".

What a day! A lovely sunny midweek August in the heart of Northamptonshire. We couldn't have picked a better day if we tried! As I write this, I look outside to see leaden skies over a drizzly morning. Oh well, back to normal eh? We had a total of 19 arrive at The Inn, our hosts Mark and Anne did a great lunch which was served after our walkabout, which this year was limited as the companies that work on the site didn't get much warning of our arrival, but we did get to look round the centre hall and some exotic VW campers, we had a `peer' through Tim Samways doors to see some very classy motors. Back at The Inn, lunch was served and lively conversasion and reminiscing that continued till well into the afternoon.

I have alread put my photos in a gallery, if any one has more to ad that's great, THE MENU is there too, you can download copies at will

It was a real pleasure to meet you all, specialy those I once served with, I think similar sentiments will be felt with all of us and I think `next years bash' is as good as booked? Several indicating a similar date, without reaching for the callender and this time it was the second wednesday in the month, do it the same next year? 2nd Wednesday into August?

June'n'Martin (Tom)

Greatworth's Veterans attending were:-

845 SAC Hall, 945 Cpl Millard, 767 SAC Sumsion, 810 J/T Burrel, 896 J/T Rogers, 202 SAC Cornish, 145 SAC Morris, 304 Cpl/Tch Walker, 199 Sgt Fyfe, 341 SAC Langrish, 641 Cpl Stoddart, 511 Sgt Wilson and 007 J/T Gabriel.

Supported by Marrion Walker, Geordie, Stuart, June and the two remaining ladies, can someone send me their names so I can edit them into here properly?

10th August 2011

Posted by Martin on July 26, 2011 at 6:17 AM

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This year has really galloped by and it feels as though we haven't done anyting at all in that time. But of course we have, it's just that being busy speeds time up and August is just around the corner. Both of us are really looking forward to meeting everyone at The Inn this year, a high point of the year so far, that is a complete contrast to the begining of our year. I'll ring Mark and confirm the event this evening, anyone with special requirements from The Inn should also ring him, The number is +44 (0) 1295 710976

I'll try to be there earlier than last year, when we were a little late arriving. Just as last year take your cameras and camcorders, those of us unable to attend will not then be left out of the activities.

See you all soon.

Our nicknames

Posted by Martin on July 19, 2011 at 4:18 AM

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Back in the old days I was called`Tom', my middle name, it has a story to it. Back in July '59 as I signed on at RAF Cardington, one other signatory, who's name I forget now, asked if I'd like to go to the naafi for a pint. His invitation went " You fancy a pint up 't naafi Jack?", overheard by several other new signatories, we were quickly joined for a pint or three and the name `stuck', indelibly! Untill several years later I remustered from "armament mech guided weapons*"(grease monkey!) to "Ground Radio Tx's" and ended up at RAF Locking, in a completely different crew/environment. Taking the oportunity to introduce myself as `Martin', my real name, but it was immedietly `shortened' to `Mart'! As this rymed rather too easily to `fart', I wasn't impressed and I strongly objected, aided by the fact of being the eldest (being the only remuster on the course) and senior man! I quickly understood that Martin didn't roll from the tongue easily enough, so I suggested that as my middle name was Thomas, to call me Tom, it caught on, so `Tom' I became and it's a name with which my older friends still refer to me. So, now you know! When we met back then, thats how you would have known me.

Martin

* Bristol Bloodhound (Mk1) then Blue Steel.

RAF Greatworth Station Call-Sign

Posted by Eric Rogers on June 30, 2011 at 3:23 AM

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Do any members remember what the Station Call-Sign was? All Radio Stations operating on assigned frequencies are required to transmit identifying call-signs, including routine military services, RAF Locking for example used the call-sign MRM for transmissions on 5105KHz, at least from the late 1950`s until much later, probably until it closed. I think that Greatworth must have had a call-sign in the "M" Air Ministry series, later (MOD), any clues? Eric (Rogers).

Thermionic technology?

Posted by Martin on June 15, 2011 at 12:45 PM

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Surprisingly enough, our days as techies in the transmitter hall, be they with the SWB 8's and 11's, or HS31's and later gear, haven't been left behind. The high power transmitters of today still use valves, yep thermionics still rule the air waves, check out this site for a feast of high power RF valve gear, but don't look at the prices!http://nrgkits.shopfactory.com/workshop/tetrode.htm

Martin

Skype Virtual Reunion.

Posted by Martin on June 8, 2011 at 3:27 AM

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I have recently subscribed to skype, the internet video phone system, if there are other members out there interested in this form of communication, Look up the Skype site on www.skype.co.uk very effective and cheap to run, free between subscribers, including webcam video.

Skype supports 'conference' style networking so that several subscribers can converse together, I thought this might be a good idea, considering that this membership is scattered about the globe, and could provide a `Virtual Reunion' for those unable to come to Greatworth.

My Skype number is up in the guardroom and in my personal profile.

Your thoughts, as always, are welcome.

"2011 reunion list"

Posted by Martin on January 1, 2011 at 11:15 AM

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If you'd like to attend the 10th August's 2011 RAF Greatworth Reunion, please leave a comment, or you can email me raf.greatworth@mypostoffice.co.uk or virgoprestige@yahoo.co.uk , if anyone is coming with you, please say, The Landlord of The Inn and anyplace we visit may find this helpfull, as will everyone including this site for its statistical reports on the event.

update June 8th

We'll be talking with the landlord of The Inn within the week, so if anyone has anything to add, please do. As last year tho, it's never too late, it's not 'set in stone', As last year again, mid morning start, comments on this too would be good feedback.

Updated 16th March '11

This is the date of our reunion. Wednesday 10th August 2011 I'll contact `The Inn' to let them know. So far we have a number stalwart veterans apart from myself, wanting to attend.

updated 6th July '11

The following names will be updated as we go along.

Martin (Tom) Hall and June,

Mick Langrish,

Tony Cornish,

Eric Rogers,

John Walker,

Marion Walker,

Fred Fyfe,

Tony Millard,

Kev Moreland,

Al Burrell & (pos) Judy

Eric Sumsion & son

Don Stoddart

Greatworth Folk

Posted by Al Burrell on January 1, 2011 at 8:00 AM

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For those of you interested, I have posted a December 1963 photo taken at Hittadu Tx Site in the Greatworth people gallery. Although not exclusively Greatworth, several of the guys shown on this photo did serve at Greatworth, and in some cases at Edlesborough. Some of the latter possibly also served at Greatworth as there were occasionally cross-postings between the two units. That said, with the exception of the three riggers, the cook and the General Duties guy (and of course the 'bosses in the fromt) all of the rest were fitters or mechanics, and I know that many remained in the HF world for most of their service so will be known to many of you. I believe that some might also of served at Jurong Tx (Singapore) as I almost did, and I know that you did Martin. Please browse and see if there are any old faces there. Happy New Year all.

White Christmas.

Posted by Martin on December 26, 2010 at 7:39 AM

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Well, whether it snowed or not is achedemic, it was a White Christmas with a good coverering of snow and ice everywhere down here in the Thames Vally. I do hope everyone had a wonderfull Christmas, here on Boxing Day, glass of Jamesons in hand and the missus (June) tucking into a snowball (apt!), we've had a quiet weekend Christmas to ourselves, neighbours have popped in, relatives have belled us, the roast pork has been rellished, pudding has gone, sigh! Wassat about New Year? Diet? Yeah, right! Best wishes to all of you in the New Year, My resolution? Live on! Good luck and bless you all.

The First Year.

Posted by Martin on November 28, 2010 at 3:42 PM

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RAF Greatworth.com has just achieved it's first year on the internet, the membership (56) it has attracted is staggering and I am really happy to have remade so many old aquaintances from the past, even June (Mrs) has had some involvment and thoroughly enjoyed this years August reunion at RAF Greatworths site and at The Inn in the village, we're hoping for a repeat next year and will commence the 'overtures' for this early next year. Thanks to all of you for making this site such a rewarding venture. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you.

New Developement

Posted by Martin on November 13, 2010 at 1:15 PM

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SPRING FARM RIDGE

Broadview Energy’s Wind Farm Proposal

Thousands in Greatworth, Helmdon, Stuchbury, Sulgrave, Weston and elsewhere will lose.

A few will gain - naming and shaming the “Grantpreneurs” who stand to gain from the damage that will be done to the rest of us

Nicholas Ward

13 November 2010

Broadview Energy Limited (“Broadview”) has recently applied for planning permission to install and operate a wind farm at the Spring Farm Ridge site between the villages of Greatworth, Helmdon, Stutchbury and Sulgrave. The application envisages the erection of five wind turbines with a maximum height of 405 feet each. Turbines of this height will dwarf the surrounding area. They will be a major blot on the beautiful South Northamptonshire countryside and will cause huge environmental damage in terms of visual intrusion, noise and other interference. It will also have a significant adverse effect on local flora and fauna.

Thousands of people will be affected by these proposals, including:-

People who live or work in or near the villages of Greatworth, Helmdon, Stutchbury, Sulgrave and Weston, or who visit these villages. These people will be the most affected, with the wind farm on their doorstep. The turbines will be 750m from the nearest house, well within the 2km limit which is mandatory in Scotland.

People living, working or visiting elsewhere in South Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, whose views will be affected.

People who drive in or through South Northamptonshire, especially those driving along Welsh Lane.

People walking on the many footpaths that cross the site.

Wind farms such as that at Spring Farm Ridge are rarely profitable in their own right and are only promoted because of grants and tax concessions that are available to support wind farm developments. The promoters and developers of these wind farms are “grantpreneurs”, maximising the benefits they get from subsidies (such as Renewables Obligation Certificates) and tax concessions, for which the rest of us pay through increased electricity charges and through higher taxes.

Whilst many people will suffer from Broadview’s proposals, relatively few will gain. If planning permission is granted, the winning “grantpreneurs” will be:-

The management of Broadview

The shareholders in Broadview

The five local farmers who are collaborating with Broadview

This paper names and shames these “grantpreneurs” who are trying to ruin our lives. It is based on publicly available information.

The Management of Broadview

Broadview’s address is Unit 2, The Old Power Station, 121 Mortlake High Street, London SW14 8SN, its telephone number is 020 8487 950, and its website is www.broadviewenergy.com.

The Chief Executive and main energiser of Broadview is Jeffery Corrigan. A change of home address was filed at Companies House in respect of Mr Corrigan on 13 April 2010. Previously, his registered address was 5 Bellevue Road, Barnes, London SW13 0BJ, but since 13 April 2010 it has been 16 Elm Grove Road, Barnes, London SW13 0BJ. Both these addresses are very close to Barnes Common.

Barnes Common is a 100 acre area of woodland and common in south-west London. This area is noted for its beauty and for the habitat it provided and it is vigorously defended by the Friends of Barnes Common, a voluntary group whose website it www.barnescommon.org.uk. One wonders how the Friends of Barnes Common would react if Mr Corrigan, or a “grantpreneur” like him, were to make an application to build a wind farm on Barnes Common.

Peter Hughes is a Non-Executive Director of Broadview. His registered address is London House, 45 High Street, Clophill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 4AA.

The third Director of Broadview is itself a limited company, Regent Capital Services Plc. Regent Capital itself has four directors who are listed as:-

David Altshuler

Anna Josse

Howard Kitchener

Gideon Lyons.

Regent Capital’s website is www.regentcap.com and it appears to be based at 20 Seymour Mews, London W1H 6BQ.

On its website, Regent Capital says ““Regent Capital has been working with Broadview Energy Limited in the wind energy section to develop and build wind farms in the UK and is creating opportunities for professional customers to invest in wind farms through the Enterprise Investment Scheme which provides investors with the following benefits:-

· 20% income tax relief on amounts invested (£500k limit)

· Defer CGT on gains realised (within last 3 years)

· IHT exemption (EIS shares held for 2 years)

· No CGT on gains from EIS shares after 3 years”

The Broadview Project Manager for the Spring Farm Ridge project is Olly Buck.

Broadview are currently working on a total of seven wind farm sites, as follows:-.

Operational – Aberdeen

At various stages in the planning process:-

· Allerdale (Cumbria)

· Stockton-on-Tees/Hambleton

· Harborough

· Huntingdon

· Stratford-on-Avon

· Spring Farm Ridge.

Shareholders in Broadview

Broadview shareholders stand to make major capital gains out of the development of the Spring Farm Ridge wind farm and other sites on which Broadview are currently working. In doing so, they will benefit significantly from tax concessions for which the rest of us effectively have to pay.

The shareholders of Broadview are:-

Number of Percentage

Shares of share capital

Directors

Jeffrey Corrigan 879,800 10.2

Peter Hughes 221,200 2.6

Regent Capital Plc 356,710 4.1

Corporate Investors

Ventus (3 VCT PLCs) 1,353,846 15.7

Hatton Consultants Limited 654,000 7.6

Les Enterprises

Josephine Benitez Ltd 46,000 0.5

Individual Investors

Per list below 5,106,969 59.3

8,618,525 100.0

The Broadview directors are referred to in the management section above.

Ventus appears to control the largest shareholding in Broadview, which is apparently spread across three venture capital trusts. The Ventus website is www.ventusvct.com. Their address is c/o Climate Change Capital Ltd., 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AQ.

The Board of Ventus PLC comprises:-

D. Pinkney – Chairman

A. Moore

P. Thomas

C. Wood

The investment manager of Ventus is Climate Change Capital Limited, whose website is www.climatechangecapital.com and whose address is above.

The individual Broadview shareholders referred to in the table above are:-

Name No of Accounts Total Shareholding

Paul Adams 3 442,692

David Altschuler 2 137,500

Andrew Arrowsmith 3 442,692

Peter Barlow 2 270,000

Jeremy Benjamin 1 750,000

Julie Bostock 1 12,300

Katherine Bostock 1 3,850

Nicholas Bostock 2 4,138

Executors of

Richard Bostock

250,000

Paul Chilvers 1 125,000

Gary Crystal 1 5,000

Steve Flashman 2 76,154

Hamilton Greenwood 1 140,385

Andrew Hagyard 1 11,430

Paul Hardy 3 303,077

Clive Hill 1 800,000

James Kaberry 1 53,712

Andrew Kitchener 1 10,000

Howard Kitchener 2 137,500

David Pridden 1 25,000

John Rawicz-Szczerbo 2 288,462

Chris Roase 3 303,077

Ian Ross 1 250,000

Mark Shaw 1 250,000

David Weekes 1 15,000

5,106,969

A number of these investors acquired all or some of their shareholdings in the summer of 2010 at a time when it was already known that Broadview was working on the Spring Farm Ridge development.

The addresses of the individual shareholders are not shown in Broadview’s Annual Return, but it would be possible to write to them care of Broadview’s own offices, or via Regent Capital.

The Five Local Farmers Collaborating with Broadview

The Broadview application would not have been made if Broadview had not been able to find farmers who were willing to work with them on the Spring Farm Ridge wind farm proposal.

In the event, five farmers have been willing to work with Broadview and would benefit significantly from the proposed wind farm. They are:-

Nick Mead, Spring Hill Farm, Welsh Lane, Helmdon

Mervyn Humphrey, Falcutt Hall, Welsh Lane, Helmdon

Doug Humphrey, Redlands, Welsh Lane, Helmdon.

Steve Adkins, Greatworth Hall, Greatworth

David Thame, Stutchbury Lodge, Sulgrave

These five farmers have been prepared to work with Broadview notwithstanding the huge damage that the wind farm proposal will do to their neighbours in Greatworth, Helmdon, Stutchbury and Sulgrave.

Public Relations Advisers

Broadview maintains a very active public relations function, which is part of the armoury it uses to promote its wind farms.

The Broadview website (http://www.broadviewenergy.com) contains copies of press releases over the last three years or so. The first release on the website was dated 28 June 2007. Up to 20 October 2010 there have been a total of 70 press releases in respect of the seven wind farm proposals.

Within Broadview, PR is handled by Lisa Ross, the Broadview Community Relations Manager (tel. 020 487 9150).

Over the years, Broadview have used a number of external public relations consultants, the latest of which is Paul Taylor at Taylor Keogh Communications (tel. 020 3170 8465). Paul Taylor is well known in the wind industry and apparently acts for a number of wind companies. Taylor’s first press release for Broadview was dated 21 September 2009 and his name has appeared on every press release since then.

Based on what has happened elsewhere, it can be expected that the Spring Farm Ridge development will be the subject of a barrage of press releases. There have already been six so far and, based on experience elsewhere, there could be a further twelve or more press releases relating to Spring Farm Ridge over the next year or so.

Apologies

Posted by Martin on October 12, 2010 at 4:03 AM

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Our apologies for not keeping up with the site over this last month. Members who met my wife June will remember that she has some health issues and this last month has been more dependant on my help than usual. This last week has been worse as she has suffered from a cold, which didn't help her respiration a lot. But she is a gallant lass and with a little encouragement she'll bounce back into her normal form when that cold retreats. Hopefully her apointment at the Heart Hospital this 5th November will resolver those health issues.

Regards to everyone

June'n'Martin

RAF Greatworth the past.

Posted by jeff on September 5, 2010 at 5:13 PM

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Who put the old accommodation site on the Welsh Road?

Was it unhappy to be in it`s old place in the side road about directly opposite to the transmitter hall entrance door? It only takes 4 clicks of the left arrow to get there.( I said LEFT arrow airman).

RAF Greatworth, the future.

Posted by Martin on September 2, 2010 at 3:35 AM

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The proposed `High Speed Rail Link' that will slice through the Old TX Hall and the CO's House in a few years time, isn't the only cloud on the horizon. There is also a proposal for a wind farm, to be built, it is said, on the other side of Welsh Lane, where the original railway line was. This will not, it is thought, further demolish RAF Greatworth, but Greatworth's villagers are showing deep concerns about these developments so close to their village and are worried about the impact upon their peacefull rural environment. Railways and windfarms aren't known for their lack of noise, destruction of rural setting is their game and the villagers, I'm told, want none of it. I have been asked by one of their number, If we would support them in any way and if so, would we allow a platform (No not a railway station!!) on our site? So a concensus of the memberships opinion is sought on the matter. Further details from Mr N. Ward at :-

Nicholasward@variouscompanies.com

A Great(worth) Reunion

Posted by Martin on August 12, 2010 at 2:43 PM

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An absolutely brilliant day, attended by fifteen stalwarts of yesteryear making this reunion a resounding success. Thanks go to The Inn's Mark and Anne who rose to the occasion splendidly, providing an excellent luncheon for us all, also Everyone we met at the old TX site who not only made us welcome, but gave us a guided tour of their premises too. I am best pleased to have met such a great bunch of folk, without which, such a lovely day would not have been possible. So thank you all, for making our day so enjoyable.