Written by: Holly Tatton, Leeds Beckett University
CONSULTANCY PROJECT UPDATES
Nestled in the coast of Suffolk, Orford Ness stands as a testament of Britain’s Cold War legacy. In October, two of our consultancy project students took the chance to see the experience first hand.
Our recent expedition to this former military testing site was an eye-opening experience, and one of the first encounters with Cold War history. It was a valuable excursion for our project where we are planning a week long ‘Heritage Week’.
OUR EXPERIENCE…
As we made away across the vast shingle split, the juxtaposition of concrete and wild coastal landscapes were profound. The sites history was unfolding before us, such as it’s pivotal role in atomic weapon research and testing, as well as nuclear and radar development.
Exploring the abandoned facilities across the site allowed us to gain valuable insights into the challenges presented when preserving such complex heritage sites. The visit highlighted the importance of the balance between historical accuracy and exciting storytelling, something that is crucial for our project, as like Orford Ness we want to bring history to life during the Heritage Week events, meaning attendees get a first hand experience of the Cold War era.
Orford Ness serves as a powerful reminder of the tensions that once not only gripped this small part of Suffolk, but the whole world. It was a truly unique opportunity for us to connect with history and we cannot wait to implement what we discovered throughout our project!
Follow the link to view Molly’s video showcasing the entire trip, experience Orford Ness first hand and understand the true history and importance behind the site:
