Next…the cinema
Various sports were organized but having a cinema built, at considerable expense, shows how important keeping up morale was. It was open to the public as well as the Services, and was called the ‘Orcadia Cinema’. It was also used as a dance hall and theatre where, under the auspices of E.N.S.A. (Entertainments National Service Association), many ‘big names’ from show business performed, including Gracie Fields, George Formby and Yehudi Menuhin.
Upstairs, Nick showed us various cameras which were in use during the war years, including a hefty one which was used for arial reconnaissance
And, at the other end of the scale, a tiny spy camera
The main upstairs room contains an original film projector
.and a ‘phone which was used to communicate with the Projectionist
Very similar to what I remember as the first ‘phone my family had.
There are two big circles on the wall, one of which I think wouldn’t look out of place in the Pier Arts Centre
but they actually cover the holes where the air duct passed though the room. A strong ventilation system was needed, as a lot of people smoked then and, to cater for this, there was a cigarette machine in the foyer
In another upstairs room – a reminder of the ‘make do and mend’ approach which was needed in the war years. Our throw-away society could learn some lessons from that time
There were over 1,000 people stationed at HMS Tern, more than the population of many villages and, while they were there, it will have become ‘home’ to many of them.
We walked along to the Control Tower, passing ruinous farm buildings
Nick explained how the land and buildings were acquired under a Compulsory Purchase Order and the occupants were given 7 day’s notice to leave. An appalling situation, which reminds me of Imber, where families who had farmed the land for generations and buried their dead in the graveyard, were told to leave, and never allowed back.
For me….’Don’t you know there’s a war on?’ doesn’t cover it.
The Control Tower
contains a room which is encased in a Faraday Cage
No photos I’m afraid as it was too dark for my little camera!
And finally, on the way back, a Memorial to all who served on HMS Tern
The Birsay Heritage Trust now cares for the site. Site Manager Lindsay Bailey and the team of Volunteers have big plans for continuing work and improvements – both inside and outside.
I’d advise anyone to visit HMS Tern. It’s far from being just about war, it’s about people – the people who lived there for a time and were part of the community, whilst establishing a community of their own.
It’s going to take a lot to bring the plans to fruition, and visitors and donations are welcome and needed.
My visiting and enthusing about a war site might seem strange as I’m a Pacifist but, as with other war sites of Orkney, the structures and the history have become other than statements about war, and are of interest historically and aesthetically…….
https://www.spanglefish.com/
https://www.spanglefish.com/
This is a public site which people are welcome to visit all year round. From October to March, guides won’t be there and the buildings are closed. However, individual guided tours can be booked…… Click here for details
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