Latest news with #16AirAssaultBrigade
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Tiny abandoned UK village where no one can enter without special permission
Stanford, a deserted village and civil parish in Norfolk, was taken over by the British Army during the Second World War and can only be accessed with permission A Norfolk village can only be accessed with special permission from the military. Stanford, an abandoned village and civil parish in the English county, was seized by the British Army during World War II. It was subsequently dubbed the Stanford Battle Area, and to this day, it serves as an active infantry training ground. The village was evacuated and reformed in 1942 to mimic a 'Nazi village', playing a crucial role in the preparations for the D-Day invasion. In 2009, an additional section was incorporated into the Battle Area to train troops set to be deployed in the Afghan war, as previously reported by the Mirror. This section comprises houses, a market, a mosque, and even a system that emits odours such as rotten meat and sewage. The 16 Air Assault Brigade conducts their annual Gryphon exercises there, along with cadets aiming to complete Fieldcraft exercises. Located seven and a half miles north of Thetford and 25 miles southwest of Norwich, the village lies within a restricted area, and visitors must obtain special permission from the Army to enter. Access is primarily limited to a handful of tours throughout the year and on compassionate grounds for former residents or their relatives. Live fire drills are conducted on site, so entering at your own risk could have serious repercussions. Structures like the parish church of All Saints are equipped with blast-proofing sheeting to shield them from military operations. Each of the surviving churches and churchyards in the region is enclosed by wire fencing. Stanford is one of six Norfolk villages unceremoniously abandoned during the Second World War, with villagers promised a return post-war that never happened. West Tofts, Sturston, Langford, Stanford, Buckenham Tofts, and Tottington were all evacuated and have since remained in military hands. Yet, despite continuing as an active military zone known as Stanford Training Area, the 2001 census clocked a tiny population of just eight souls residing within four households over an expansive 5.26 square miles. And still, in 2011 the census data pointed to fewer than 100 inhabitants, leading Stanford to be administratively swallowed up by the civil parish of Croxton. The name 'Stanford' itself harks back to its origins, meaning "stony ford". The village's battle area has even had its brush with fame, serving as a backdrop for select episodes of the beloved comedy series 'Dad's Army'. In more recent memory, the village has been troubled by two significant fires. A calamitous event occurred on August 21, 2005, when five cottages overlooking Church Green became engulfed in flames originating from a dormant chimney fire which ferociously spread throughout their thatched roofs. Another blaze wreaked havoc on July 6, 2013, tearing through the storied walls and upper floors of the local haunt, the Horse and Jockey pub.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
British paratroopers asked to show passports during Swedish Nato drill
British paratroopers were asked to show their passports during a Nato drill in Sweden. The troops were on the strategic Baltic island of Gotland this week carrying out exercises as part of Swift Response 2025. But their progress was delayed as the troops were immediately directed to a Border Control van to be processed as Britain is outside the Schengen Area. Lt Col Chris Hitchins told Expressen, a Swedish news outlet: 'So I'm used to border control now. I did it in France last year, as well. 'Sometimes you have a bit of a mental pause, you go through those motions and then I'll put my helmet back on and I'll go into the trees and we'll be back in a tactical scenario.' Troops were carrying out drills including seizing a 'tactical landing zone' from Swedish defenders. The US-led Nato exercise involved 100 British paratroopers dropping from a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M. Speaking after the drill on Tuesday, one soldier told the outlet it had been a 'good, successful jump'. It comes a year after the paratroopers had to undergo passport checks in France during a D-Day event. French officials raised eyebrows by insisting on checking the paperwork of 400 troops landing in Normandy for the 80th anniversary commemoration. US and Belgian troops involved in the drop were not checked, leading to accusation that the French were trying to make a point about the UK's decision to leave the EU. Brig Mark Berry, the commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, said at the time: 'It is something we haven't experienced before. 'But given the Royal welcome we have had from every other feature, it seems like a very small price to pay for coming to France.'
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Military veterans march to fund £200,000 statue
Military veterans are lacing up their marching boots to raise £200,000 for a statue outside a city barracks. The 12ft (3.65m) bronze sculpture of a paratrooper will be installed outside Merville Barracks in Colchester if they reach their funding target. Maj Curt Vines, of the Parachute Regimental Association, said veterans taking on a 25-mile (40km) trek on Sunday would help fundraising efforts. "This statue is going to really resonate with a lot of people," he told the BBC, saying it would celebrate 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade being based in the city. The brigade is the British Army's global response force. Maj Vines hoped to unveil the statue, which would consist of a 6ft (1.8m) plinth and a soldier of the same height, on 27 June 2026. Veterans will carry backpacks of no less than 25lbs (11kg) during the fundraising march, which kicks off at 08:00 BST and is expected to take eight hours. The route will take them past sites of military significance in Colchester, including Wivenhoe House - home to an SAS base in World War Two. "We really want to expose and further inform the people of Colchester and wider UK about the impact of the garrison and its history," Maj Vines said. "Over the last 25 years, we have had some amazing times but also some real down times as well and lost lots of loved ones. "Once this statue is in place it really will be a fitting memorial and one we hope will resonate with younger people as well." The statue has been designed by sculptor Amy Goodman and will be illuminated at night. Maj Vines said its prominent location near Abbey Field would ensure it was a "beacon" for the community. "Those lights will be spectacular," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Soldiers given AI to help them shoot down drones Armed Forces trial hydrogen charging at bases Monument will harm Roman site say Historic England 16 Air Assault Brigade
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Military veterans march to fund £200,000 statue
Military veterans are lacing up their marching boots to raise £200,000 for a statue outside a city barracks. The 12ft (3.65m) bronze sculpture of a paratrooper will be installed outside Merville Barracks in Colchester if they reach their funding target. Maj Curt Vines, of the Parachute Regimental Association, said veterans taking on a 25-mile (40km) trek on Sunday would help fundraising efforts. "This statue is going to really resonate with a lot of people," he told the BBC, saying it would celebrate 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade being based in the city. The brigade is the British Army's global response force. Maj Vines hoped to unveil the statue, which would consist of a 6ft (1.8m) plinth and a soldier of the same height, on 27 June 2026. Veterans will carry backpacks of no less than 25lbs (11kg) during the fundraising march, which kicks off at 08:00 BST and is expected to take eight hours. The route will take them past sites of military significance in Colchester, including Wivenhoe House - home to an SAS base in World War Two. "We really want to expose and further inform the people of Colchester and wider UK about the impact of the garrison and its history," Maj Vines said. "Over the last 25 years, we have had some amazing times but also some real down times as well and lost lots of loved ones. "Once this statue is in place it really will be a fitting memorial and one we hope will resonate with younger people as well." The statue has been designed by sculptor Amy Goodman and will be illuminated at night. Maj Vines said its prominent location near Abbey Field would ensure it was a "beacon" for the community. "Those lights will be spectacular," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Soldiers given AI to help them shoot down drones Armed Forces trial hydrogen charging at bases Monument will harm Roman site say Historic England 16 Air Assault Brigade
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Colchester military veterans march to fund £200,000 statue
Military veterans are lacing up their marching boots to raise £200,000 for a statue outside a city 12ft (3.65m) bronze sculpture of a paratrooper will be installed outside Merville Barracks in Colchester if they reach their funding Curt Vines, of the Parachute Regimental Association, said veterans taking on a 25-mile (40km) trek on Sunday would help fundraising efforts."This statue is going to really resonate with a lot of people," he told the BBC, saying it would celebrate 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade being based in the city. The brigade is the British Army's global response Vines hoped to unveil the statue, which would consist of a 6ft (1.8m) plinth and a soldier of the same height, on 27 June 2026. Veterans will carry backpacks of no less than 25lbs (11kg) during the fundraising march, which kicks off at 08:00 BST and is expected to take eight route will take them past sites of military significance in Colchester, including Wivenhoe House - home to an SAS base in World War Two."We really want to expose and further inform the people of Colchester and wider UK about the impact of the garrison and its history," Maj Vines said."Over the last 25 years, we have had some amazing times but also some real down times as well and lost lots of loved ones."Once this statue is in place it really will be a fitting memorial and one we hope will resonate with younger people as well."The statue has been designed by sculptor Amy Goodman and will be illuminated at Vines said its prominent location near Abbey Field would ensure it was a "beacon" for the community."Those lights will be spectacular," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
