VOLUNTEERS from the RAF Harrowbeer Interest Group have been hard at work over the last few months, restoring another of the former second world war airfield's dispersal bays.

Following last year's successful restoration of the bay near Knightstone Tea Rooms at Yelverton, a second dispersal bay has had trees and gorse removed, soil and rubble cleared away, and the protective 'arms' rebuilt.

These dispersal bays on the airfield were designed to give protection in the event of enemy attack. Ground crew would take cover in the air-raid shelter, and if one aircraft caught fire, the second would be protected by the earth banks.

HIG member Stephen Fryer said: 'When we completed last year's work, it became more evident what a bad state some of the other bays had fallen into.

'After consultations with Maristow Estate, Dartmoor National Park, and the Commoners, we tackled a second dispersal bay, removing trees and gorse and clearing away soil and rubble. Tree roots had severely damaged the centre arm but once these had been removed, we have been able to repair it with much of the soil that had fallen onto the floor of the bay.

'We are very proud that it now looks more like it did during the second world war and have received many favourable comments from passers-by.'

Stephen added that there are no plans to dig out the internal air-raid shelter of this bay and that the HIG would be working with Maristow Estate to restore further bays in the future. He also thanked Tavy Task Force for their help with the tree clearing.

Visitors to the Airfield over the Easter weekend will be able to admire the repaired bay and will also be able to visit the internal air-raid shelter in the dispersal bay restored last year.

Opening times for this are noon to 4pm on both Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8. Entrance to the shelter is free, but a donation to HIG funds will be welcomed. HIG members will be on hand to answer questions and to talk about the history of the RAF Harrowbeer.

RAF Harrowbeer officially opened on August 15, 1941 and closed in 1946. Many different nationalities flew from Harrowbeer, mostly RAF squadrons but also Fleet Air Arm and US Navy.

Today, visitors will be mostly aware of the airfield's existence, alongside the A386 at Yelverton, by the taxiways and the dispersal bays that are virtually as they were 60 years ago.

The group is always keen to hear from any airfield staff, from families who lived in the airfield's huts in the 1960s and 70s, or from anyone who has memories of the airfield during the war.

If you have any information on the airfield contact Stephen Fryer on 01822 855336 or visit the website http://www.rafharrowbeer.co.uk">www.rafharrowbeer.co.uk