Kenley Airfield Update by Alan Morgan
I’m sure that many of you, like all of us at Kenley Airfield Friends’ Group (KAFG), have been watching the steady deterioration of the blast pens with increasing concern. The conservation of these rare historic structures along with the rifle range was one of the cornerstones of the Kenley Revival Project. The methods and materials which would be used in the preservation work were carefully researched and approved by both Historic England and the City of London Heritage Buildings experts before work commenced in 2017.
However, over the following winter it became apparent there were issues with the blast pen mortar crumbling and causing failure of some of the brickwork. By spring 2018 it was clear there were serious problems with every pen. The City of London then commissioned and led their own investigation into the likely causes which subsequently dragged on for over two years and eventually proved to be inconclusive.
It’s fair to say that all of us at KAFG were very unhappy with both the way this investigation was conducted and the inordinate amount of time it took while the pens rapidly deteriorated. Just before Christmas it became clear that neither the experts nor the contractors would accept any responsibility (I) and there was no other alternative but to seek additional funding in order to make a second attempt. The specifications have been revised and after much hard work the sum of £160,000 has been secured. Work is expected to commence in the next 6 weeks and last until late September.
The new heritage trail comprising the Spitfire and Hurricane wing signs plus the very informative and attractive table-top boards around the perimeter track was finally installed last year and the project website kenleyrevival.org has lots more information.
The RAFA Portcullis Club has also reopened on Sunday lunchtimes and we’ve also welcomed back 615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron who recently moved into their very smart new HQ. 615 VGS will be operating at weekends and Public Holidays and Surrey Hills Gliding Club continue to fly Monday-Friday meaning that, weather permitting, RAF Kenley will return to flying 7 days a week – a very welcome sight. Unfortunately, due to the continuing impact of Covid, there will not be a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in August and we have also reluctantly decided that we cannot hold a Heritage Day this year. We anticipate and hope that both will be back next year.