The 4th Cold War Network Conference took place on 13th February 2025 at the Upper Heyford Heritage Centre, drawing heritage professionals, museum curators, military historians, and preservation groups together for a high-impact day of discussion, collaboration, and future planning.
The former RAF Upper Heyford – once home to the United States Air Force’s 20th Tactical Fighter Wing – remains the most complete Cold War airbase in Britain and one of the most authentic in Europe, with a remarkable level of preservation across its hardened aircraft shelters, blast walls, command bunkers, and associated military infrastructure.
Nick Forder, the day’s host, opened the conference by welcoming attendees to the historic site, highlighting Upper Heyford’s crucial role as part of NATO’s nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. The airbase was active from the 1920s through the early 1990s and played a pivotal role during periods of international tension. A brief history of the site can be accessed by clicking here.
Following this, Dr Peter Robinson delivered updates on the Cold War Network’s activities, including new partnerships and upcoming initiatives aimed at advancing Cold War heritage interpretation and community engagement across the UK.
A standout presentation by Tim Hawkes and Steve Parker from the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) explored how the preservation of Cold War-era military vehicles can enhance storytelling and public engagement. Their talk underscored how using authentic vehicles offer powerful tools for education and remembrance, with a kind offer to connect vehicle owners with collections and sites across the UK.
Ian Maine from the National Army Museum followed with “Big Stuff”: a thought-provoking discussion on the strategic challenges of building and maintaining a distributed national collection of Cold War military vehicles. His reflections opened up critical questions around sustainability, conservation, and long-term access.
Delegates then had the opportunity to experience Upper Heyford first-hand through a guided site visit. Participants explored the airbase’s uniquely preserved landscape, including hardened command facilities, original signage and infrastructure.
After a networking lunch, Dr Kathryn Bedford and PhD candidate Lily Green introduced the ‘Curating Armageddon’ project. This CDP doctoral research project aims to examine curatorial strategies for interpreting Cold War heritage, particularly in the context of nuclear history and material culture.
Nigel Heaps of the BNTVA Museum delivered a passionate session on the importance of donations and legacies, drawing attention to the irreplaceable personal stories and artefacts that are vital to building a representative and human-focused Cold War archive.
Closing the presentations, Wayne Cocroft, a respected figure in the heritage sector and expert in 20th-century defence architecture, tackled the thought-provoking question: “How Did the Cold War Become Heritage?” His reflections charted the shifting public and academic perceptions of Cold War sites and the responsibilities now facing curators, conservators, and historians.
The day concluded with a networking opportunity to connect with the Cold War Network’s Directors and Advisory Board, as the Network announces it’s evolution into a registered Community Interest Company. More information about the CIC can be found here.
