14th November 2025
The Heritage Society continues to work to develop our understanding of the rural, social and military heritage of Old Longstanton and Oakington Airfield.
Earlier this week I had the pleasure to be contacted by an author. I won’t go into full details now but hopefully we can put together an article for Northstowe News, etc in due course.
The person under discussion was Major Charles Townsend, who was known by so many of Longstanton’s older residents and LDHS members, who sadly are no longer with us. LDHS did not have much information on Charles, apart from he was a renowned horse vet whose patients from Newmarket used to recuperate here in Longstanton’s paddocks. Charles died in 1971 and is buried in All Saints’ churchyard along with generations of the Townsend family.
Rather sadly, for years I thought we didn’t have a photograph of this important local figure. Only by speaking to this author and a chance remark made me realise that we do have a photo of him as Master of the Hunt at a meet held at The Manor.
I won’t spoil the whole story as to just how significant Major Charles Townsend was nationally as I await further information. Nor would I wish to preempt the work this author is currently engaged with. Hopefully, we can share more information before long.
However, yet again this illustrates how the Heritage Society’s Archives are of both local and increasingly national importance and we need to decide in conjunction with our communities how best to get public access to the archives, both in person and online. This is important and urgent whilst we still have access to the detailed information behind our photographs etc.
To facilitate progress in this area we continue to work with the Northstowe and Longstanton Heritage Steering Group on development of a Northstowe Heritage Strategy and this is vitally important. However, as we continue to publicise, the Heritage Society needs considerably greater support from our local communities, councillors and the Northstowe developers if we are to ensure that the LDHS Archives are not lost. Once again, please consider joining the Heritage Society and volunteering some time to help us if you can. Please message us or find our contact details on our website.
In the meantime here is a photograph you might enjoy showing Major Charles Townsend with his impressive military moustache. I cannot believe that the LDHS Archives had a photograph of him hidden in plain sight
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