Friars Cliff Residents Association and BCP Council unveil ‘totems’ marking work of wartime research establishments at Steamer Point

CROWDS gathered to commemorate the ancient history of Steamer Point and its more recent past as a lynchpin in the nation’s air defence research.

Originally part of the Highcliffe Castle estate, Steamer Point is where stone from France was landed for the construction of the castle.

The area was requisitioned by the War Office in 1939 as the location for an Air Defence Experimental Establishment (ADEE) base.

By 1943, security concerns meant the ADEE was relocated to Malvern on the Welsh border, and the Steamer Point base was taken over by the Signals Research and Development Establishment (SRDE) who were there until 1980 when they too moved to Malvern.

To commemorate the internationally significant research and development work undertaken at Steamer Point, the Friars Cliff Residents Association (FCRA) worked with local and BCP councillors to create three ‘totem’ displays explaining the area’s history.

The totem boards were officially unveiled at a commemorative event, with former ADEE and SRDE employees and their families travelling from as far as Malvern to attend the reunion, which was sponsored by FCRA.

FCRA chair Steve Alves explained: “We are very proud of the local heritage of our area and feel the huge technological achievements of those who worked here between 1939 and 1980 should be properly recognised.

“That is why FCRA researched the content for the boards and worked hard with BCP and local councillors to create this lasting memorial which we hope will be of interest to residents, our many visitors, and anyone with an interest in the nation’s technical heritage.”

At the event a speech was given by former SRDE satellite communications programme team leader, Dick Harris, who worked on American and British satellite communications programs at Steamer Point from 1963 through to 1980 and then at Malvern.

He said: “It’s so easy to overlook the many achievements of sites like this that were once so busy and productive. Enormous contributions were made here to so much of what we see around us today such as satellite communications, radar, fibre optics, mobile phones, communication systems, night vision and much more.

“It’s marvellous to now see these achievements recognised, and information made available to the public.”