East Kirkby 6th September 2023

Cycling UK Louth Wednesday Ride to East Kirkby 6th September 2023:

Paul Linder had suggested today’s venue and a great choice as the last ‘Wednesday Wander’ to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre was back in June 2018.

Joining Paul at the Meridian Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Steve Croton and John Rickett.

Following a dull foggy morning, skies were clearing by 10 am and the forecast was for a sunny day by midday with temperatures reaching anywhere from 23 to 26 Degrees Celsius. Very warm but not untoward.

Our route to the Bluestone Heath Road would be via Hallington and Raithby. Once on the ancient drover’s road it was a pleasant ride past Cadwell where we could hear the throaty roar of motorbikes. Onwards past Rosin Hill and Belchford Hill with great views of the Wolds.

More unusually we’d turn off at Tetford Hill for a fast descent into Tetoford (Steve was declared the winner) before continuing into ‘Tennyson Country’. Somersby and Bag Enderby looked resplendent in the sunshine.

On nearing Hagworthinham the consensus was to deviate from the route and stop for a coffee at JJ’s. Sitting on the bench outside we’d find Alan Hockham already enjoying a cuppa and so the five of us enjoyed a chat over refreshments.

A six-mile section would now take us along Water Lane (the surface as poor as ever) and through Lusby and Hareby to East Kirkby. We’d arrive a little ahead of schedule about 12.45 am. Time then for lunch in the NAAFI and an hour or so looking around this splendid former RAF station. Steve had visited twice in recent months but for others it had been some five years since last visiting.

RAF East Kirkby first opened in 1943. Lancasters of 57 Squadron soon arrived from RAF Scampton, with 'B' flight expanded to form 630 Squadron. In total, 212 operations were carried out from the airfield with 121 Lancasters failing to return. Chris Owen's father, Pilot Officer Norman Tudor Owen, took off from East Kirby as part of Operation Saint Leu d'Esserent (flying bomb storage site) on his 24th Birthday in July 1944. Luckily all 7 crew of Lancaster JB370 DX-O survived following a crash into occupied France.

The museum was set up in 1989 by Fred and Harold Panton who were local farmers. Fred sadly passed away in 2013 and Harold is now approaching his 90th birthday. Today, Tim was lucky to have had a long chat with Harold who still keeps a close eye on proceedings.

The museum and memorial to Bomber Command is primarily as a tribute to their eldest brother Christopher Witton Panton; who was shot down and killed on a bombing raid over Nuremberg on 30/31 March 1944. He was only 19 years old at the time, having taken off from Skipton-on-Swale in Yorkshire in a Halifax operated by 433 Squadron. This was to have been his final flight of his tour of operations, having already completed over 33 ‘ops’. John would inform Tim that the Nurenberg raid was a disaster with a loss of 106 aircraft and 545 crew, partly because of a full moon and clear skies. The aircraft formations were easy targets.

Visits were made to the control tower (no Met Office personnel on duty today) and the purpose-built hangar for the Lancaster Mk VII NX611 “Just Jane” purchased by the Panton brothers. It’s currently undergoing extensive maintenance with the intention for the aircraft to be flightworthy once more. John also pointed out a ‘Queen Mary Trailer’, the name presumed to derive from its length, a reference to the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary.

With the sun still shining we would set off at 2 pm for the return journey. Hagnaby road took us to Old Bolingbroke and we discovered why we don’t often use this route as the climb up to Horncastle Hill was quite a workout.

No stopping at Hagworthingham this time, except for Tim who rather stupidly decided to stop in the middle of the ford to take a picture. Onto Harrington and more hills where we’d bid farewell to Paul and Steve whilst Alan would finally depart at South Ormsby.

Arrived back in Louth near to 4 pm having completed 75 km (46 miles). Many thanks to all for the company. A great day out.