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Bitteswell Airfield Legacy Secured at Magna Park

A memorial to honour servicemen and women stationed at Bitteswell Airfield is to be erected at Magna Park, Lutterworth.  The memorial will be unveiled on Friday 13th November at 10.30 am.

The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT) worked with the owners of Magna Park, Gazeley, to secure planning permission for the granite stone to be erected at the entrance to the park.

The memorial will be placed in the central reservation of Hunter Boulevard at the main entrance to the Magna Park.

Gwyn Stubbings of Gazeley said: “We are tremendously aware of Magna Park’s proud history as an airfield and were really pleased to help when the ABCT came to us with a proposal to mark the many thousands of servicemen and women who worked and flew here.”

Kenneth Bannerman, founder of the ABCT, said: “We are delighted to be able to mark Bitteswell Airfield and all who served there with one of our memorial stones. We’d like to thank Magna Park for their assistance in making this important memorial a reality.”

Bitteswell Airfield is regarded as an important site in British military and aviation history.

In the Second World War it was home to units that took part in bombing and sea rescue missions. In the post-war years it became an important flight development centre, especially for jet and turbo-prop engines. At one stage it was also the maintenance base for the Red Arrows. Many of the roads in Magna Park are now named after famous aircraft.

The ABCT was founded in 2006 with the aim of recognising Britain’s airfields and remembering those who served there. It is believed to be the first charity of its kind in the world.