Visit to Slimbridge
In May a small party gathered at Slimbridge Wild Life Park, but unfortunately is was a very stormy day, so some left after lunch, in the hope of returning on another occasion. Those who did remain did see some of the lovely birds inhabiting the park. There is something quite therapeutic about watching water birds on the ponds in the pouring rain!
Visit to Bletchley Park
In July a party of Lazarus Members, headed by our Commander, James W. Turner and the Dame Audrey Turner, accompanied by their friends, visited Bletchley Park, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, at the Invitation of a Veteran of that project for a while during the 2nd World War, the Chevalier George E. R. Gardner.
Bletchley Park mansion was the home of the Code Breaking Team, that diverse body of persons that Winston Churchill called his "Golden Geese who never cackled," from 1939 until 1945; it was then removed to Cheltenham where it is now known as GCHQ, the General Communication Headquarters; where it still does invaluable work in keeping a watch over our safety from all who may wish us harm.
It was also at Bletchley Park where Alan Turing invented and perfected the first ever Computer that was so invaluable in assisting the 10,000, yes Ten Thousand Professors, Egg Heads, Whizz Kids, Intelligentsia, Graduates, etc:, both male and female, of different nationalities, who toiled there for many, many long hours constantly monitoring the Radio Signals from the enemy to their warriors, wherever they were stationed all over the World. It was a mammoth task with the culminating highlight being the deciphering of the German Enigma Code that shortened the 2nd World War by several years.
To say that Bletchley is fascinating is quite an understatement; it requires many visits to appreciate all it has to offer. However, with the wonderful aid of an expert and humorous guide, who was not a Veteran, coupled with George's own knowledge and assistance, the Lazarus Party saw more than the normal Day Visitor could hope to see.
We enjoyed coffee and biscuits upon our arrival, taken within the mansion Dining Room, we then went on a short general tour, followed by luncheon again in the mansion, then, with our Guide, we went around the remainder of the site and saw many items of interest that brought forth numerous questions, all that were expertly answered to the best of their ability by the Guide and George.
After a tour of the complex and exciting Churchill Exhibition in one of the Huts we then adjourned for afternoon tea in the mansion and then, having bid fond farewells to the remainder of the party, we left at 17.30 hours to wend our individual way homewards, happy that we had enjoyed such an interesting and thought provoking visit, our minds full of thoughts of what we had seen, and contemplating all of what had transpired through the years, and all that had happened since those World War days, marvelling at those many events and inventions that have, in so many ways, changed our own concept of life in general and our pastime with computers in particular.
Many who were fortunate enough to be in that party have expressed a wish to go again, and those who did not visit with us this time, but have heard the comments of those who did, and have since expressed a wish to be included in any future visit.
Since that visit our own George Gardner has, quite recently, been delighted and honoured to be invested from Prince Charles with a Breast Medal, together with a Signed Certificate from our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, thanking him and the ever diminishing number of other surviving Veterans, for their valuable and welcomed contribution to the undertakings of that "gold mine" of information and technology that was such a closely guarded secret, and remained as such, for many years after the cessation of the hostilities in 1945.
The Marches - Outing to Welshpool Area, 15th September
Click here to see the report.
