Finningley
In the mid 1570’s, Finningley Grange was part of an extensive estate owned by Sir Martin Frobisher, (1535 - 1594), privateer, explorer, and naval commander, descendant of John Frobisher (b. c.1260).
Finningley remained in the Frobisher family until the end of the seventeenth century, when the Harveys of Ickwell Bury, in Bedfordshire, became the owners.
Prior to 1626 Ferry Boats operated in a large shallow lake between the Isle of Axholme and Finningley
Finningley Park in the 1820's was the seat of John Harvey, Esq. occupied by George Broderick, Esq. in the township of Austerfield and parish of Blythe, Nottinghamshire; 3 miles from Bawtry. Mr. Harvey lately erected, in the centre of the adjacent wood, a curious and elegant cottage, where he occasionally resides. The village of Finningley is in Nottinghamshire, but the house, and part of the park, with the cottage, are in Yorkshire. Some few years ago the head of a Roman spear, and other curiosities were found near Mr. Harvey's mansion
Robert John Bentley, the Rotherham brewer owned Finningley Park in the 1850's
History of RAF Finningley
RAF Finningley was officially opened in 1936 with the arrival of No. 1-02 Squadron and its Handley-Page Heyford bombers. The station strength then mounted to 35 officers and 350 airmen. In 1939 Finningley was under the command of Sir John Nelson Boothman (1901-1957), air force officer and aviator.
Navigator Training
All RAF navigators were trained at the Air Navigation School of No. 6 FTS at RAF Finningley, which was the home of navigator training since 1970 when the Dominies of No. 1 Stradishall and the Varsities of No. 2. ANS moved from Gaydon.The Varsity was phased out in 1976 making it an all-jet course.
RAF Search and Rescue
The RAF Search and Rescue Wing was first formed at RAF Finningley in 1976, when two squadrons, 22 and 202, came together from Thorney Island and Leconsfield. All major engineering work was carried out by the Engineering Squadron.In 1987 over 2000 men and women worked at Finningley
Finningley at Work
« A flight Lieutenant controls the inputs into the navigation simulator
Eager navigator students listen as a lieutenant explains the badge motif of Falkland Islands Hercules flight »
« Close examination of the internal structure of a Dominie wing
Refuelling of a Jet Provost Mk. 5. »
« A careful eye surveys the scene from air traffic control
Pilot Officer John Kidd
Pilot Officer John Kidd stationed at RAF Finningley, died in 1952 aged 20 was killed in 1952 when his plane crashed in a field in between Letwell and Firbeck
Housing
In the 1960's substantial housing development took place to accomodate the families. This began with the Spey Drive Estate, at Auckley. A school was also built at Hayfield. When RAF Finningley closed in 1996 the 500 married quarters were sold.The end of an Era
RAF Finningley was closed in 1996 and three years later Peel Holdings, a leading property and transport company in the UK with assets valued at over £2bn purchased the land.
Peel Airports is a division of Peel Holdings which has interests in airports, The Trafford Centre, property and ports.
Peel Airports
Peel Airports was formed in 1997 following the acquisition of Liverpool Airport and the Airports division now comprises:- Liverpool John Lennon Airport
- Durham Tees Valley
- Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield
- Sheffield City Airport
See also Robin Hood Airport »
©2004