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Monday, July 28, 2008

A LibDem connection to saving Bletchley Park 

Roy Jenkins was one of our code-breakers at wartime Bletchley Park, but it is to a more contemporary LibDem that we owe the physical survival of the site and buildings.

Milton Keynes New City was designated in the late 1960’s but the government concealed the history of the ULTRA decipherments until the mid-1970’s So when the first round of plans for the developments came out all Bletchley Park was known as was the Post Office Training Centre. It wasn’t until the mid 1980’s that the work of the Bletchley codebreakers became really famous.

The site was therefore vulnerable to a number of development proposals. However a young and energetic Liberal campaigner decided to try to save the site. What he did was to get tree preservation orders slapped on the various imposing trees in the grounds. This was enough to deter serious development bids long enough for the national importance of the site to become recognised.

So step forwards for a bow (now) Councillor Sam Crooks of MK Council.

I completely agree with Mary Reid’s call to support the survival of Bletchley Park. As she says, do sign the petition.

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Comments:
Good heavens! I didn't know about Roy Jenkins - another of my heroes, and that doubles his status for me.

I'll link to your info - thanks
 
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