Tidemills
TIDEMILLS. Military Air Station, later seasonal flying site. Much later still - helipad for emergency services.
Location: Just SE of Newhaven town centre
NOTES: Some time ago I made this comment: "Almost nothing known but I have found a mention of pleasure flights being operated here. Perhaps in the 1930s? If anybody can kindly offer advice, this will be much appreciated."
In March 2018 I was very kindly contacted by Mr Paul Fry - see 'Comments' below. What an astonishing revelation! Proving, if nothing else, just how much I still have to learn.
Paul Fry
This comment was written on: 2018-03-08 10:21:54Tidemills was an RNAS station in WW1, it was used for anti-submarine patrols and had a couple of hangars ('sheds' in those days?), and a slipway. Its' operational history is given in the 'Action Stations' and 'Action Stations Revisited' volumes that cover East Sussex. As at 2018 there are still substantial traces of the old hangar bases (and door runner tracks), and of an an old railway that was used to get materials to the site. The old hangar base still serve as a standby helipad for emergency service helicopters - the 'H' marking is visible on Google Maps satellite view. The site is situated just above the shingle beach just to the east of the Newhaven harbour breakwater, and can be accessed from the small public carpark on the A259 midway between Newhaven and Seaford, from where a public footpatch leads to the beach crossing the railway and passing through the remains of the old Tidemills village (and tide mill). As the footpath reaches the edge of the pebble beach the hangar area is just to the right (west) of the path. Information boards covering the use of the site, with some period photos etc, are now in place.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Paul, Many thanks indeed. I shall keep this most useful info posted. Best regards, Dick
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