LDHS Update December 2021

By hilary on December 9, 2021 in Uncategorized

LDHS has been protecting and promoting the heritage of Longstanton, RAF Oakington and Oakington Barracks (the airfield is now the site of the new town of Northstowe) since May 2007, and in that time we have made significant contributions to the development of the new town. Below are just some of the successes we have had over the last fourteen and a half years.

LDHS achievements 2007 – 2021: A legacy to be proud of!

International campaign to save RAF Oakington buildings saved the Officer’s Mess, the Guard House and the Station HQ from demolition.
LDHS obtained listed building status for the circular Oakington Pillboxes. This safeguarded these rare WW2 structures but also enabled the area around them (the curtilage) to be protected and landscaped appropriately.
LDHS has created a unique and historically important physical and digital archive which is now recognised as being an important heritage asset for both Longstanton and Northstowe. It is because of the LDHS archives that there is the prospect of a heritage building on the former RAF Oakington site. One day in the future, by working with others LDHS may achieve an official museum for Northstowe and the surrounding villages.
Listed building status for 8 pillboxes on the site of RAF Oakington enabled English Heritage and SCDC Conservation Officers to scrutinise the Northstowe development plans out on the former RAF Oakington site. This was not an option when there were no listed buildings within the development area.
Over the years LDHS has acted in an advisory capacity on a number of heritage issues and contributed to the Pillboxes Management Plan; the Manor Farm Paddocks Management Plan; the Heritage Steering Group and the Heritage Building Content Group.
LDHS, through its LDHS Updates, and other work has helped raise awareness of the groundwater issues faced by Longstanton and the Kingfisher pond.
The LDHS website, social media pages, magazine articles and the annual newsletter have helped to provide historical information to people across the country and round the world.
LDHS has run a series of 6 talks every year from 2007 until early 2020 (suspended due to Covid) which offered members and non-members the chance to learn about local history and to socialise with other like-minded people. LDHS members also have access to CAS and other local society events and talks and since the outbreak of the pandemic many members have enjoyed accessing these historical talks on-line.
The Society has been supported by members and donors from across the country, with a small number coming from abroad. This unwavering support by members and the Committee for nearly 15 years, is why we are now in a position of having to look towards the long term safeguarding of the LDHS Archives and ensuring that they can be made more widely available to the public.

The role that LDHS has played over the last 15 years in protecting and promoting the heritage of Longstanton and Oakington Airfield has been ground-breaking. LDHS’s work has been described as ‘unprecedented’ and has been used a role model elsewhere. As we go forward into the New Year, we look forward to working with others so we can make progress on safeguarding the LDHS Archives for future generations