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Fylingdales “Golf Balls”

A good photograph of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System at Fylingdales, known locally as the Golf Balls.  Demonstrations when they were erected in 1960 and demonstrations when they were removed in 1989 and a pyramid built to replace them. Geoffrey Powell advises: “Great to see the old Golf Balls, I remember these being built. I was in 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron in the RAF during 1961 – 1963. We were based at Goldsborough and travelled over daily with various vehicles and an ambulance; with mine detectors working from 8 am until 4 pm daily, clearing munitions and making it a phase by phase for safety reasons.” Mandy Chew can recall: “I remember going past the Golf Balls on my way to Whitby from Bradford (holidays with parents and sister) when I was a child in the 1970’s.” Trevor Bell adds: “My father worked at the base in the mid-sixties. He apparently worked within the middle Golf Ball complex. It was a shame they removed them and replaced with the present pyramid. Progress maybe, but nowhere near as exciting to see as a kid!” Julian Atkinson can recall: ” I worked at RAF Fylingdales ,from age 19 to 26..we were base Security. Many of my colleagues have now passed away ,when I was poorly I had a vivid dream – had walked up to the main gate as it was in the 1970’s, Old Bobby on the Gate ‘Bill Smith’, Looked up and said: ”Are YOU here, an’all..”?..(Scary)..is That my Purgatory..!!!?”.

Image courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, thanks to Geoffrey Powell, Mandy Chew, Trevor Ball and Julian Atkinson for the updates.

3 comments to Fylingdales “Golf Balls”

  • Yes really good hoto, I was lucky I was not on a charge with regards to the Official secrets act.. up there on Bomb disposal work before it was built to make it safe for the build as it was a friring range in the war,,Was in that terrible winter of 61/62 ,I was fit then but my health not good now 80 yrs old,My wife and I visited lovely Yorkshire until late yrs three times a year and stayed at Aislaby Happy uncomplicated days , We were billetted at RAF Goldsborough north of Whitb, I have loads of photos of my time there .. God bless Geoffrey Powell Ex 5131 Bomb disposal sqn..1961/ 63..geoffrey.m3uxb@gmail.com Please publish Email thank you.. Thank you.

  • Yes really good hoto, I was lucky I was not on a charge with regards to the Official secrets act.. up there on Bomb disposal work before it was built to make it safe for the build as it was a friring range in the war,,Was in that terrible winter of 61/62 ,I was fit then but my health not good now 80 yrs old,My wife and I visited lovely Yorkshire until late yrs three times a year and stayed at Aislaby Happy uncomplicated days , We were billetted at RAF Goldsborough north of Whitb, I have loads of photos of my time there .. God bless Geoffrey Powell Ex 5131 Bomb disposal sqn..1961/ 63.. Please publish Email thank you.. Thank you.

  • Yes really good photo, I was lucky I was not on a charge with regards to the Official secrets act.. up there on Bomb disposal work before it was built to make it safe for the build as it was a friring range in the war,,Was in that terrible winter of 61/62 ,I was fit then but my health not good now 80 yrs old,My wife and I visited lovely Yorkshire until late yrs three times a year and stayed at Aislaby Happy uncomplicated days , We were billetted at RAF Goldsborough north of Whitb, I have loads of photos of my time there .. God bless Geoffrey Powell Ex 5131 Bomb disposal sqn..1961/ 63.. thank you.. Thank you.

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