Visitors are invited to experience what it was like to be in an RAF Operations Room at Eastbourne’s Redoubt Fortress this weekend in a living history event.
This Saturday and Sunday living history group Deco In Style will be re-enacting the plots of three air raids that actually took place in 1940 with visitors invited to find out how an RAF plotting table would have been operated at a Sector Station operations room during the Second World War.
Starting at 11am the group will be performing the plot of three air raids on rotation throughout the day, including a plot from 15 September 1940, the anniversary of the Battle of Britain Day.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “The Redoubt Fortress makes an excellent setting for living history events and the RAF Ops Room experience weekend complements this year’s Stitch for Victory exhibition, which explores another aspect of life during World War Two. Deco In Style do a brilliant job at giving a real insight into an RAF Operations Room and there’ll be the chance for visitors to put their questions to the group too.”
Deco In Style will be decked out in authentic period uniforms and in addition to the re-enactment of the Battle of Britain raid, will also be performing plots of air raids from 16 August 1940 at Tangmere and 18 August 1940 at Kenley.
Visitors will be able to watch the group using equipment, which includes a scaled down version of the plotting table at 11 Group HQ at RAF Uxbridge, and also includes speakers, an information tote board, typewriter and period publications.
The group have been performing these raids for the past two years, developing the display as a living history tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who took part in the Battle of Britain, especially for the surviving veterans, and as an educational experience for all.
Visitors to the Redoubt this weekend will also have the chance to take a look at the Stitch for Victory exhibition and find out more about the contribution that needlework made to lives during the Second World War. It is the first time that artefacts, documents and memories that show the importance of stitching to the wellbeing of civilians and servicemen have been brought together, making an unusual, evocative and inspiring display.
The RAF Ops Room experience takes place from 30-31 July at the Redoubt Fortress and the event is free with an admission ticket. For more information go to the Eastbourne Museums website or call 01323 410300.
