HMS Tern is hosting a 1940’s experience day on Sunday 14 September from 11am to 4pm as part of Orkney’s first Festival of Archaeology.

HMS Tern (TNAS Twatt) was an important airfield in Orkney during WW2. Volunteers have been working for many years to rescue memorabilia associated with the airfield and to open up the site as a unique visitor experience.

If you haven’t been there before or for some time, come along on Sunday to see the developments and the future plans proposed for the site.

The Fire Station now hosts a fabulous museum with items illustrating Orkney in both world wars, and its other airfields.

There is also a special exhibition in the Decontamination Building of how important photography was for military reconnaissance, collecting evidence on crash sites, and of recording daily life for the thousands of personnel stationed in Orkney.

Tea, coffee and 1940’s-style tray bakes will be on sale. Many of the volunteers will be in period dress and you are welcome to come in your own 1940’s-style outfits.

There will be guided tours of the site at 11am and 2pm. To book a place on a tour, you can visit the Eventbrite ticket page via these links:

11am tour:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/orkney-archaeology…

2pm tour:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/orkney-archaeology…

As an added bonus volunteers from The Orkney Wireless Museum will be demonstrating WW2 communication equipment and inviting visitors to have a go at morse code.

The cinema frontage and projection room have been partially restored. Visiting it gives an impression of what it must have been like when films were shown and performers like Gracie Fields came to entertain those at the airfield.

If you can’t get a space on a tour – you can come for a look around anytime on the day between 11 and 4, or on any Wed, Fri or Sun until the end of September. See website for details of opening times and tours. https://hmstern.co.uk/vist-hms-tern/

For those who are fans of all things ‘brick’ related – a building material essential for constructing wartime buildings in Orkney, check out these beauties:

Similar bricks can be found at Orkney’s other wartime sites – like the ones below from Yesnaby:

There will be a chance on Sunday to see updated plans for the proposed development of the site. Will Tunnell of WT Architects will be on-site for the day to show visitors the newly-revised development plans, and will be keen to gather feedback on them.

To enter the site, look for the HMS TERN sign off the main road, then head up the Bryameadow Road and look for the next HMS TERN sign at the SECOND set of brick gateposts. To find the site on a map click on this link: HMS Tern

Parking space is limited, so please consider a lift-share with friends. Take care when driving into the site and only park in the designated areas.

If you have any enquiries, contact info@hmstern.co.uk

Fiona Grahame

HMS Tern

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