Battle of Britain heroes visit Bentley Priory

Heroes of the Battle of Britain visited Bentley Priory in Stanmore on Sunday.

The event attracted 300 spectators and air enthusiasts who came along to pay homage to those who fought in the battle to defend the country from Nazi invasion in 1940.

Eighteen veterans in their 90s met visitors and signed autographs for fans who had come to the former RAF base, which closed last May, which was headquarters of Fighter Command during the Second World War and played a critical role in the conflict.

Squadron leader, Erica Ferguson, executive consultant of the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, said: "The veterans worked extremely hard all day. They're in their 90s so they're not young men. They're not young in body, but young in mind."

VSM Estates, which owns the site, announced plans to redevelop Bentley Priory last year, with 103 luxury homes in the gardens, while the main public areas of the officers' mess associated with Lord Dowding, Fighter Command and the Battle of Britain are to be developed into an education and heritage centre by the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust to commemorate those who fought and died in the Battle.

But these have been delayed after the sale of the site failed to go through, with the current economic climate blamed for stalling the plans and agreement could not be reached with a preferred developer. VSM will now retain ownership of the site until the property market improves.

Air Chief Marshall Sir Brian Burridge, chairman of the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, said: "We understand that difficult market conditions have affected the sale of Bentley Priory. We have worked closely with VSM Estates throughout this process and although the plans to deliver the vibrant new museum within the Mansion House will be put back for now, we remain dedicated to these proposals and we look forward to progressing these plans in the coming months."

VSM Estates plans to build a museum in the Mansion House to commemorate the Battle of Britain, which it says will be carried forward once the economic climate begins to strengthen, as well as restoring the grade II-listed priory building.

Sq ldr Ferguson added: "The news about the redevelopment plans is very disappointing, because we were hoping that it would be ready for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in September 2010."