A
Proud
Heritage
Proud
Heritage
The year commenced badly when BAE SYSTEMS announced that because of the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA.4 Programme the Woodford site would have to close in May 2011 rather than the projected one year later. The sad sight of the Nimrod scrapping and the eventual emptying of the whole of Woodford made the future look very bleak for the Avro Heritage Centre.
However, reassurances from our Heritage Director at Farnborough eased what seemed to be an uncertain future and the Heritage Centre was to continue normally with a steady flow of visitors. More encouragement came when BAE SYSTEMS informed us that as the Avro Heritage Centre was regarded as a Benchmark for such venues, a new building with increased floor area would be erected on the south side of the airfield, added to which, we were to have the use of the old small hangars adjacent to the new building. After a long period of disuse the hangars are being refurbished as is the Avro Vulcan XM603 which will be exhibited outside the new Centre making an outstanding feature.
The planning for the building has been approved and it is hoped that we will be fully established for an opening in the Spring of 2013.
The current Centre is still expanding within the confines of the building and a new room devoted to the outstanding history of the Nimrod is now open to visitors.
BAE SYSTEMS announced the sale of the Woodford site on December 20th to a newly formed company to be known as Avro Heritage Limited operated by Harry Harvey and Jo Bamford with the latter a member of the family owned business J. C. Bamford Excavators Ltd., (JCB). We are delighted that the new company decided to adopt the Avro Heritage name as they have a number of exciting plans for Woodford which includes the perpetuation of the site’s historic links with the aviation industry.
The future for the preservation of Avro’s famous history now looks secure and will continue to be developed for future generations.
Chairman’s Report for 2011
Harry Holmes
January 2012
The Chairman seen with Group Captain Reg Jordan on a recent visit to the Avro Heritage Centre. The Group Captain kindly donated his uniform for display in the Aircrew Room.
It is sad to report that Alan Rigby one of our leading members recently passed away after a long illness. He will be remembered for his modelling skills with many of his models on view in the Avro Heritage Centre. He will be sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues.
Alan Rigby (1938-2012)