CAMPAIGNERS TO OUTLINE HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF VILLAGE'S WW2 STORY

A reminder that next week’s Local History Group meeting about the role played by Bishop Monkton and surroundings in wartime will be addressed by the people fighting to preserve military heritage in and around Ripon.

The Chair of the Ripon Military Heritage Trust, Guy Wilson, and the Group’s Secretary, Jane Furse will be speaking at the meeting entitled ‘From Bombs to Bailey Bridges’ in the Village Hall next Wednesday (September 11th.) at 7p.m.

Their presentation will detail the contribution made by Ripon and its surroundings to military history, particularly in the two World Wars. Much vital wartime engineering development and testing took place in and around Ripon, including the celebrated Bailey bridges, temporary kit bridges used particularly during the Allied invasion after D-Day in 1944.

The Army Bridging site just outside the village played an important part in this story and many villagers will have seen the Nissan huts and other buildings which still remain there.

The Trust was set up to campaign for the preservation of the remaining structures on former Army barrack sites to the west of Ripon where developers are planning more than 1,000 new homes.

Guy Wilson said:- “The story of just how important Ripon’s contribution was to the outcome of the Second World War and other conflicts is still largely untold. This is why we are so determined to spread the word through events like this one in Bishop Monkton as part of our fight to preserve those relics of this fascinating history which still remain.”

Colin Philpott, who’s organising the event on behalf of the Bishop Monkton Local History Group, said:- “Even little Bishop Monkton played a vital role in World War Two with wartime bridges tested at a site near the village (known as the Bridging Grounds) where remains of Nissan huts can still be seen. It’s just one part of a much bigger military story.”

Tickets cost £10 (free to members of the Bishop Monkton Local History Group) to be paid on the door. But to ensure a seat, please contact Annabel Alton via email annabel@annabelalton.com

Doors will open at 6.30pm and there will be a cash bar selling wine and soft drinks.