Doctor Rita

A petition was the only avenue open to the many local, national and people worldwide to express their opposition to the Council's design of the Museum. All other means had been totally ignored and the Council just 'Bulldozed' their plans forward. For example, at the Planning stage there were over one hundred letters of objection with just a handful in support, mostly from the Trust members themselves! The Planning Committee was split 4/4 and the Chair voted in favour (which is the convention in these situations). There was so much concern over the procedures that an official complaint has been made to the Local Government Ombudsman. Mathew, I fear you have been swayed in your opinions by the BHMM website, which is dishonest for starters in that at the top is the idyllic picture of the Chapel as is today. Why did they not have the courage of their convictions and show at the top how they want it to look, with all the trees and shrubs cleared, the Vestry gone and the 'Toilet Block' stuck on the side? May I suggest they knew it would have generated even more opposition. If this plan could have been fought by any other means, believe me we would have taken that route. Regards, Rita Radford.

Hello Matthew, I am surprised you are in Yorkshire because your statements seem very similar to those made by certain people around Biggin Hill who are connected with the BHMM Trust. Firstly I have spoken to Randolph Churchill and his reply to virtually everthing I asked was 'You will have to ask the Vice Chairman of the Trust for an answer to that'. When I put the phone down I concluded he is just the figure head. Incredibly there are no recognised RAF/Biggin Hill historians on the Trust and, as the 92 Squadron Standard fiasco a year earlier proved, no-one of any knowledge who could recognise its huge importance. The story can be found on the web so I won't go ino detail, only to say what most readers of this forum must know, that 92 was the most famous Battle of Britain Squadron synonymous with Biggin Hill. As for the Vestry, I will let viewers of the BBC News item decide whether it is a building of no value, to be pulled down and replaced by a characterless ugly 'box' that is totally alien to the Chapel and with no aviation or RAF influences. As for the Air Crew Association stained glass window, until we highlighted its presence, the Trust either failed to recognise its significance, or were trying to pretend it was not there! There is no mention of it in their Planning application, it is unlikely that it could be removed without damage and where would you imagine it could be put in the Trust's design to look right. You will notice it is currently housed in a very elegant brick port-hole in the front of the Vestry, facing the road and is back-lit at night. It was paid for by members of the Association and Dedicated in a special service on 11th May 1997, so the membership are rightfully 'miffed' at its possible removal and are part of the 10,900 that have already signed the petition. The driving force behind this awful design lies within the Council, who were promoting this plan before the Trust was even formed! These Officers and Councillors were also responsible for unceremoniously pushing the 170 members of the Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Supporters Club out of the picture, despite the same Council having given unopposed Planning Approval to their 'Duxford' type Heritage Centre design only months before. I think that covers all your points, but please raise more and I will gladly respond. Now I have a question for you, do you think the Lottery Fund should be giving the public's money towards demolition of part of the Grade II Listed Chapel and the building of a design of museum so despised by the public? Regards, Rita Radford

Hi Everyone, Those of you in the London area may have caught an item on the BBC Evening news, 28th July, concerning Bromley Council's plans to demolish part of the BIGGIN HILL RAF CHAPEL OF REMEMBRANCE to build an ugly square 'box' of a building which will be the long awaited Battle of Britain Museum. The plans for a mini Duxford type building that could take large artifacts and even an aircraft has been pushed aside for a flat roofed 'Toilet Block' with no aviation or RAF influences and will just contain photos and video displays. This will require the demolition of the Vestry which houses the Air Crew Association stained glass window. A quick witted local resident made a recording which can be viewed on Downe Village Website by clicking here and scrolling down to first item: http://www.downe-kent.org.uk To persuade Bromley Council to reconsider their plans, an On-Line Petition has been started which already has 10,700 signatures. To access it just Google: Protect Biggin Hill RAF Chapel Or just click here and please sign and share: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-biggin-hill-st-george-s-raf-chapel-of-remembrance