E53 - You might have heard of

Bletchley Park

History

4.8 • 177 Ratings

🗓️ 11 December 2016

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

December 2016

Fifty years after World War Two, a farewell party was held for Veterans of the Government Code and Cypher School, at the ramshackle site where they had carried out vital intelligence work. It was about to be bulldozed for housing, but the party bolstered a burgeoning desire to save and preserve it for future generations. Then, more so than now, Codebreakers from all levels of the organisation were able to attend and enjoy the reunion.

As a result, the 14 hours of audio recorded by volunteers roaming with cassette recorders that day includes some notable names, both in person and through the memories of their colleagues. They modestly recall their war work, reflecting on the significance of what they achieved. It’s worth remembering they didn’t breathe a word about what they’d done to their friends, families or loved ones - for at least 30 years. So in this, the last of three special episodes showcasing the best audio from that day and celebrating its incredible legacy, we meet some people you might have heard of.

Also in this month’s episode, it’s beginning to look a lot like a 1940s Christmas at Bletchley Park, with vintage decorations throughout, festive afternoon teas and an extremely special visitor, all the way from Lapland.

Image: ©Bletchley Park Trust 2016

#BPark, #Bletchleypark, #Enigma, #WW2Veteran, #History

Transcript

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0:00.0	The
0:07.0	The From the home of the co-breakers and the birthplace of modern computing, this is the Bletchley Park podcast.
0:41.8	Welcome to the December 2016 episode of the Bletchley Park podcast.
0:43.6	You might have heard of.
0:51.0	This month we bring you the last of three special episodes celebrating 25 years since the party that saved Bletchley Park.
0:56.1	On the 19th of October, 1991, veterans of the Government Code and Cipher School came back to Bletchley Park. On the 19th of October, 1991, veterans of the Government Code and Cypher School came back to Bletchley Park for the first reunion at the site of their top
1:00.9	secret war work. They also thought it would be the last time. A group of determined local
1:06.7	historians arranged the party and invited the media, hoping the exposure would bolster their desire
1:12.6	to stop the site being bulldozed. It might have taken another 15 years or so, but it did work,
1:18.8	and the site is now preserved for future generations to learn about the legacy of its role during
1:24.1	World War II as the hub of the Allies' code-breaking operation.
1:28.9	At the party in 1991, volunteers roamed among the veterans with cassette recorders
1:33.8	capturing the conversations and recollections of people who were seeing their wartime workplace
1:39.3	for the first time in 50 years.
1:42.4	If you haven't yet heard the last two episodes of this podcast, go back
1:46.3	and find them because you're in for a real treat. But first, today, Bletchley Park is a vibrant
1:52.0	heritage site which attracts visitors from all over the world, including some very famous faces.
1:58.4	One extremely special visitor has come all the way from Lapland to grace the
2:03.1	mansion with his presence during the festive season. Podcast producer Mark Cotton was highly
2:08.6	privileged to step inside his grotto. and walking through an avenue of Christmas trees
2:24.7	here in Father Christmas's Grotto at Pledgeley Park this year
2:29.0	and I'm very honoured to have a very special guest.
	...

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