Yatesbury

Yatesbury is a village adjacent to Cherhill, 1 mile north of the A4 road between Calne and Marlborough in Wiltshire, England. Yatesbury forms part of The Oldbury Benefice, which comprises the five parishes of Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington, Calstone Wellington and Yatesbury.

RAF Yatesbury

First opened as an air base in World War I, RAF Yatesbury continued operations in the interwar years before again taking on a major role in World War 2. From 1936 onwards, RAF Yatesbury and RAF Compton Bassett were major Radio and Radar Training Schools, RAF Townsend a satellite landing ground and RAF Cherhill was 27 Group Headquarters Technical Training Command. [ [http://www.rafyatesbury.co.uk/yaindex.html Welcome to the Yatesbury Association ] ] In the village church there are reminders of its millitary past, with a small number of war graves from both major conflicts.

After closure, the Radar and Wireless training school transferred to RAF Locking. The aircraft hangars and air strip, although now farmland, can still be seen from the A4. The buildings, site and surrounding area were featured in the video to the 1988 No.1 hit song "Doctorin' the Tardis" by The Timelords.Fact|date=December 2007 The airfield is presently subject to a planning application to be restored and converted to [residential apartments. [ [http://www.deyab.com Yatesbury Nothing Compares ] ]

Present

Yatesbury today has a population of approximately 150 people. Whilst having no shops or amenities, the village is on major cycle route (Sustrans route 4) and is often passed through by cyclists and walkers. The John Stewart (Village) hall (Situated next to All Saints church in the centre of the village) has recently been extended with the addition of a toilet block and disabled access.

Famous former residents include singer/songwriter/author Julian Cope, who lived in the village until 2006.Fact|date=December 2007 and he has referenced the town in the song 'My wall' in which he collaborated with the american drone metal band Sunn 0)))

References

External links

* [http://www.2day.ws/oldbury Oldbury Benefice Community Gateway]
* [http://www.rafyatesbury.co.uk rafyatesbury.co.uk - Information about the history of RAF Yatesbury]
* [http://www.yatesbury.org yatesbury.org - Information about the history of RAF Yatesbury]
* [http://www.deyab.com Proposed development of RAF Yatesbury]