RAF Strubby 18-12-2022

Cycling UK Louth Ride to RAF Strubby.

It’s been the sixth coldest start to December since 1772 and this morning didn’t disappoint with a widespread sharp frost. Icy stretches were still affecting minor roads and back lanes at 10 am and so a decision was made to alter the scheduled ride for a run out to RAF Strubby with refreshments to be taken at Woodthorpe, using the salted and gritted main road via Legbourne.

Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery and Paul Linder who had ridden in from home on his trusty George Longstaff tricycle. Apologies had been received from John Rickett, John Ambler, Alan Hockham, Reg Bagshaw and Rob Cook. We hoped to return before 2 pm when freezing rain, sleet and snow were forecast.

Fighting a chilly headwind and with an air temperature of Zero Degrees Celsius, we made our way to Legbourne, North Reston and Castle Carlton with time to admire Castle Wood and its hidden motte and bailey (Carlton derives its name from ceorl Old English=peasant and tūn Old English=farmstead).

With Paul easing his trike over the bumps and adverse camber of the roads we made it safely to Woody’s Bar and Restaurant for well-earned refreshments. Interesting to see the array of photographs on the walls of the aircraft that were stationed at nearby RAF Strubby.

On departure we stopped at the Memorial funded by the Stubbs family in 2014. RAF Strubby had the distinction of being the only RAF station in Lincolnshire that was used by both Bomber and Coastal Commands. Operational in April 1944, Vickers Warwicks of No. 280 Sqn were the first aircraft to fly from the airfield before the Beaufughters arrived in September of that year. By October it would be the turn of No. 619 Sqn operating Avro Lancasters that would see out WWII. Post war, Strubby was allocated as a satellite to RAF Manby for the newly formed RAF Flying College, operating with Camberras, Meteors and Vampires until the station closed in 1972.

Paul would depart for home whilst Tim made his way back via Manby, South Cockerington and Keddington, much as he had done on Wednesday but on this occasion shadowed by two pairs of Buzzard. Perhaps savouring the thought of a meal on wheels! The ride was a ‘breeze’ aided by a freshening tail wind and temperatures by now a blistering 2 Degrees Celsius. Arrived home by 1.30 pm having covered 40 km (25 miles). Many thanks to Paul for the company.