WHITE Cross Bay Holiday Park received an award from the National Transport Trust recognising its contribution to transport history.
Parkdean Resorts, which owns the Windermere holiday park, received a Red Wheel heritage plaque from the National Transport Trust.
The heritage plaque recognises a site's contribution to transport history in the UK, and the holiday park used to be the home of the White Cross Bay Aircraft Factory.
To commemorate the history of the factory that once stood on its ground, an official plaque unveiling ceremony took place at White Cross Bay Holiday Park on October 19. Dr Adam Naylor MBE, the deputy lieutenant of Cumbria, presented the plaque to the public, with members of the National Transport Trust, Short Brothers Commemoration Society and Parkdean Resorts in attendance.
The White Cross Bay Aircraft Factory opened in 1941 and was operated by Short Brothers, producing Sunderland flying boats for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Between 1941 and 1945, 1,500 workers built 35 Sunderland aircraft at the site.
The Transport Heritage programme honours Britain’s important legacy in the development of transport. There are now more than 150 Red Wheels around the UK, with this being the latest installation.
Liz Walker, great, great niece of the three Short brothers, said: “Our society aims to educate others about the three founding Short brothers and the important historic contributions they have made to aviation, so the presence of this plaque is an incredible tribute to their legacy.
“We are honoured by the recognition of the National Transport Trust and Parkdean Resorts as the White Cross Bay Factory and its employees played a vital wartime role on the shores of Windermere from 1941 – 1945.
“We are passionate about keeping their history alive, and the Red Wheel heritage plaque will act as a permanent public mark to encourage research into this national site of special significance and the history of these three amazing pioneering brothers.”
Barrie Robinson, operations director for Parkdean Resorts said: “The White Cross Bay Aircraft Factory’s significance and historical contribution is very much a part of Windemere’s rich history, so we hope this encourages guests to learn more about this remarkable bit of history when visiting the park.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here