Tag: Harwich Society

Sunday 9th October was another successful day with new visitors from far and wide, Warrington being our furthest traveller this week. Some interesting questions and kind comments left in the visitors book.

Mark, Gill and Paul Didn’t know this was here. Interesting

Bev + Terri So interesting. Thank you. The guide made the history of the tower come to life.

Aaron & Miranda Very good local history site

After many years giving guided tours of various sites and local talks, it is always great to receive positive feedback and to know my enthusiasm hasn’t waned. Sadly, we only have one open day left in the 2022 season. Sunday 23rd October between 11am and 3pm will be the final chance to visit until spring 2023. Group visits and other Sundays may be available out of season (depending on availability). Please email me at [email protected] for further information 🙂

Following the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen, the decision was made to continue with the heritage weekend, but keep it low key. The bunting was not put up, and Union Flags were flown at half mast when appropriate. A steady stream of visitors attended on both days despite the changeable weather Saturday. A total of 115 visitors from far and wide including Germany, Portugal and even Sydney, Australia.

Becky and Sean Very interesting. Good to see it open. Was great to learn about Harwich history and it’s relationship with WWII.

Don V. Interesting

James, Jane and Cormac (5) Very interesting Didn’t realise they had to manually push the aerial!

Our next open day is Sunday 25th September between 11am and 3pm.

Rest In Peace your Majesty, Long live the King

On June 27th 2021, we opened our doors for the first time following a major refurb and we haven’t been disappointed with the response. As of June 26th this year, we have met 873 visitors during 20 open days, an average of 43.6 guests per day. We would like to thank all those who have visited over the past year.

Rob & Sue: “very good” thank you

Tadana & Derrick: Very interesting

Dave & Sandra: Interesting

We will be opening again on Sunday 24th July between 11am and 3pm. We also have a two day event in September when we open the doors for the Heritage Weekend event on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th, again between 11am and 3pm each day. Hope to see you there 🙂

Was nice to be able to sit in the sunshine to welcome visitors outside yesterday. A steady flow of visitors from the time we opened the gate until we closed, 41 in all. Coventry was the furthest this week, followed closely by Northampton and a lot of interesting questions. Still receiving positive feedback too:

Bernard O: Wonderful effort

Richard P: Fantastic exhibits

Christina P: Great! Well done

Still adding small bits each week, trying to build up a picture of what life would have been like serving in the RDF Tower. Been an interesting project so far and looking forward to opening again on Sunday 26th June between 11am and 3pm – Admission free, Donations welcome 🙂

A big thank you to all those who braved the weather this weekend and came to visit us at the Radar Tower. With four huge downpours between 11am and 3pm we were amazed that we had 38 guests. Some interesting questions and positive feedback.

Sarah S: Excellent-V. Detailed History of The Site

Yates Family: Very Interesting

Claire C: Surprising place, so much bigger than I imagined. Wonderfully restored

Once again we are looking forward to our nest open day on Sunday 12th June between 11am and 3pm. Hopefully it will be a bit drier 🙂

On the 6th April I was lucky enough to be interviewed on BBC Radio Essex to highlight the Radar Tower in Harwich, Essex. A small part of the war effort but an important early step in a system that is still widely in use to this day. Radio Direction Finding, as the British called it, became better known as RADAR. This was the American term that has become better known over the years. The system was being developed in 1935 at Bawdsey Manor in Suffolk so when the tower opened in April 1941 it was one of the first uses of land based RADAR in the world.

The tower will be open on Sunday 15th May between 11am and 3pm and entry is free. All donations will go towards the restoration of the tower and other historic structures opened on behalf of the Harwich Society. We open every other Sunday until the end of October. Hope to see you there 🙂

Thank you to the 30 visitors who came to see us at the tower today, despite local road closures due to the half marathon. The weather was on our side and we enjoyed meeting you all. Our furthest party came all the way from Northampton, so nice to know people are hearing about us.

Wicks family: Lovely to be interactive with WW2!

Case family (clan): Very interesting

Jones family: Interesting and great to be able to get inside, thanks

We will be open again on Easter Sunday, 17th April between 11am and 3pm. Group bookings can be made via our contact page (subject to availability). Hope to see you there 🙂

After a few months being closed, we are now preparing for a new season. We have added a couple more displays and panels, so hopefully these will be a good addition to the material on display. Our first open day will be Sunday 3rd April between 11am and 3pm.

Sunday 17th April (Easter Sunday): 11am to 3pm

Sunday 1st May: 11am to 3pm

Sunday 15th May: 11am to 3pm

Sunday 29th May: 11asm to 3pm

We had more than 500 visitors after we opened in June 2021, so we are hopeful that we can beat this number in 2022. Hope to see you there 🙂

We are almost at the end of our 2021 season with one more open day on Sunday 31st October between 11am and 3pm. Our open day on Sunday 17th was well received with positive feedback and visitors from Stevenage, Chelmsford and South London.

Sue & Family: Great Stuff

Lawrence: Every day is a school day and I have learnt something new.

T Williams: Very historical and educational. Everything is saved 🙂

For our first season running this fascinating building we couldn’t have asked for a better reception. Plenty of visitors and positive comments make it all worthwhile. We have a few projects over the winter so hopefully adding a few more bits before opening again in 2022. Dates have not been confirmed yet due to the ongoing issues but we will let everyone know ASAP. See you there Sunday perhaps? 🙂

Following another successful open day on 3rd October, we only have two dates left for 2021. Sunday was a bit quieter than the Heritage Weekend but we still had a good amount of interest. Many local visitors are still keen to see what has been hidden in the tower all these years, and others from further afield. Leicester was our furthest traveller this week.

Elsie G – Very interesting I liked it much [sic] 🙂 🙂

Archie and Maddison – it’s cool, great

We have two dates left, Sunday 17th and Sunday 31st October between 11am and 3pm. Group visits can still be arranged all year (subject to availability) and can be made by emailing us at [email protected]. Already looking forward to 2022, hope to see you there 🙂