Bawdsey radar station provided filming location to secure future

The world’s first radar station could appear on the big screen to secure its long-term future.

The Bawdsey Radar Transmitter Block, at Bawdsey, near Felixstowe, Suffolk, began operations in September 1937 and played a crucial role in winning the Battle of Britain.

Now a museum, the Bawdsey Radar Trust manages the Grade II listed site and has partnered with Screen Suffolk to offer it as a filming location.

Graham Murchie, chairman of the Trust, said the move would help ensure the site was preserved.

“As a charity we have to look at all options in terms of funding,” he explained.

“Like virtually all other museums, we have not yet fully recovered to pre-Covid numbers in terms of visitors and spending.

“We have certainly seen the impact of the cost of living as well as the impact of Covid.

“Things are getting better and better.”

Several film shoots have already taken place at the resort, but the charity is hoping more producers will come forward after partnering with Screen Suffolk.

Established in 2016, Screen Suffolk is the county’s official film office, acting as a database and also being able to find crew and grant permits.

Jim Horsfield, Operations and Business Development Director at Screen Suffolk, explained that Bawdsey Radar was an excellent site because of its remote location and history.

“Because it is the world’s first operational radar station, it has a unique atmosphere,” he said.

“We’re always looking to incorporate new locations… and the bunker, with the way it’s shaped and formed, it’s just an interesting structure that hopefully will be used by a lot of filmmakers in the future.”

Mr Murchie explained how radar came into being after the First World War, when for the first time civilians were killed by planes dropping bombs.

The British government has set up a committee to investigate the country’s air defences if another war breaks out.

Physicist Robert Watson Watt proved that it was possible to detect the presence of aircraft using radio waves.

Initially, five operational radar stations were built, including Bawdsey, which became the first Chain Home radar station linked to RAF Fighter Command.

“By the time World War II broke out in 1939, we were ready to put in place a radar warning system,” Murchie continued.

“It meant that by the time of the Battle of Britain we were able to see what attacks were coming – we could direct our Hurricanes and Spitfires to exactly the right place.

“With this we won the Battle of Britain – and the rest is history.”