Forest Heath Group Profile Start area for the annual Ride for Life cycle ride on a Sunday in mid May. Photo Copyright G6EUO ©
Group Controller: G6EUO John Slater

The area serviced by the Forest Heath group had, during the early eighties, been overseen on a 'caretaker' basis by the West Norfolk group, on behalf of Suffolk county,but, with an increasing number of commitments being requested by User Services, a new, local, group was proposed.

Police with Raynet at a busy road crossing during a walk.
Down to middle	Try Go Ape for fun

The group's catchment area encompasses most of the plantations maintained by the Forestry Commission, and the greater part of the group's many commitments take place within the boundaries of this forest and in the towns and village settlements within it's near environment.

The major annual commitment of the group has always been the huge Air Fete held at RAF Mildenhall over the end of May bank holiday weekend. Generally about mid-May an exercise known as the  'MARE' - Major Accident Response Exercise - takes place, enabling all parties relevant to accident emergencies to rehearse their response procedures in a realistic way.
(See pics of Airvac helicopters and casualty scenes from Activities page.)

Other regular events include Long Distance Walks, Cycle riding, Motorcycle enduros and Carnival Parades. Horse Riding is a popular event at Euston Park, and Air Displays are a common feature at Rougham tower..

A few of the team at a Newmarket Carnival.

Down to base

Diary pages of this section of the site are intended to present a contemporary history and a commentary in pictures of the range of events covered by the group, (also see Narratives off Front Page) and are updated weekly.
Several members have been part of the group since it's inception: John, G6EUO, originally having been deputy, has, since 1986, been Controller. Dave G6HPY, also an original member, remained Deputy until 2003.

Current membership stands at around thirty, though over twice that number have previously enjoyed membership over the twenty four years of it's existence.

Situated in the extreme west of it's county, surrounded by forest and with two major air bases a few miles apart in it's centre, the Forest Heath group maintain a regime of constant vigilance, with many others from surrounding groups assisting in it's busy annual schedule.

The group's on-air discussion forum takes place on Wednesday evenings at 20-30hrs on 144.625Mhz. All are welcome to call in and contribute to the proceedings.

In the Spring of 2008, the group's new mobile control unit (right) is due to be formally commissioned. (Click to enlarge)

Communications facilities in earlier times.
During the 'Cold War' period hundreds of small underground bunkers were established. Manned by Royal Observer Corps volunteers, their function was to monitor radiation and gas contamination levels, reporting to a regional command centre, whose responsibility it was to advise the local government when it would be safe for service repair units to emerge, and when it could be appropriate for the general public to return home.

Click on image above to enlarge (19k)		Pics June 1998

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Forest Heath section can also be accessed direct via http://www.forestheath.org.uk