Bentley Priory Museum in Stanmore is commemorating the vital role of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) with a new exhibition and family activities running through the summer holidays.
The temporary exhibition, called Forewarned is Forearmed, opened on Saturday 18 July. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it explores the ROC’s impressive aircraft recognition skills during the Second World War, as well as their training to monitor nuclear blasts and fallout during the Cold War.
Visitors can also watch 4 Minute Warning, a short film showing how close the UK came to nuclear war and how the country would have responded. The film includes stories from former ROC members who volunteered in underground monitoring posts and nuclear bunkers.
Alongside the exhibition, the Museum is launching The Corps at War family activities, available on open days throughout the school summer holidays (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Bank Holiday Monday). Families can take part in aircraft recognition challenges to see if they could have been the “eyes and ears” of the Royal Air Force.
Children under 12 can enter for free during the holidays (two free children per paying adult).
Bentley Priory Museum is based in a Grade II* listed Mansion House, famous for being the Headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. The museum is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with additional days for schools and pre-booked group visits.
For more information, visit www.bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk.
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