BATTLE of BRITAIN FIGHT ON HANGARS

by Robin Bird

BATTLE of Britain Historic Society is joining the scramble to stop Vauxhall Motors blitzing old WWI and WWII aircraft hangars at Hooton. Vauxhall Motors has put in a planning application to Ellesmere Port and Neston Council to build a 11,500 vehicle distribution centre on greenfield land adjacent to the Astra car factory.

This involves demolition of the three Grade 2 Listed aircraft hangars, two of which are home of the Griffin Trust, a charitable transport preservation group. They have been told to go by December.

The hangars are listed because of the Belfast truss roof structures. Griffin Trust has been served with an eviction order to quit the hangars containing a collection of historic planes and vehicles. Vauxhall says the delivery area will improve service to customers and follows the £300m factory investment and 1,000 extra jobs to produce the new Astra.

Now the Shh campaign to Save Hooton Hangars reaches new heights as Battle of Britain Anniversary Week dawns. The Battle of Britain Historic Society joins North West Aviation Heritage Museum Group (NAHM) plus other groups defending the hangars.

This month marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII and the 59th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Enthusiasts want people to protest to EP and Neston Council as soon as possible.

Shh/NAHM spokesman Mike Lewis welcomes as an ally the Battle of Britain Trust, which has 540 members and such eminent names as Sir Paul McCartney, Melvin Bragg, Dame Vera Lynn, Lady Bader and somewhat ironically, Nick Reilly, Chairman and Chief Executive Vauxhall Motors and former plant manager at Ellesmere Port.

Historic note: County of Chester 610 Squadron was formed at Hooton in 1936. During Battle of Britain 610 Squadron accounted for 133 enemy aircraft. In 1946, 610 returned to Hooton flying Spitfires and finally Meteors. There is a small museum dedicated to 610 Squadron at Hooton.

Wirral Aviation Society supports Shh and Chairman Dave Ewing is to give a Battle of Britain memorial lecture based on 610 with help of the squadron.

Dave, 43, of Oxton, says this is an opportunity for people of all ages to find out just what the 'few' did to save Britain in its darkest hours.

The lecture is on Sunday, September 5, starting 8.30 pm in the Roundel Club, RAFA building, Alton Road, Oxton. Admission £2.50 but tickets are limited. Further details from Dave on 653-9925.

Hooton Park's aviation heritage will be further highlighted today (Wednesday) when Wirral Mayor Hugh Lloyd attends a presentation by 1123 Hooton Park Squadron of a heraldry trust print to the Griffin Trust. The Wirral boundary, until recently, cut through Hooton Park but Wirral Council no longer has planning control there.

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