WWI airfield to be restored with £4.3m in lotto funding

A “REMARKABLE” First World War aerodrome which lay forgotten for decades is to receive £4.3m in lottery funding for restoration.

It is hoped the National Lottery grant will help transform Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, near Maldon in Essex, whose buildings and airfield have remained relatively unaltered since it was taken out of service in 1919, into a major attraction.

Stow Maries was established by the Royal Flying Corps, the forerunner to the RAF, in 1916, and played a key role in defending London and the British mainland from German zeppelins and Gotha biplane bombers.

After the war the site reverted to agricultural use, leaving behind a unique collection of buildings still in their original state.

The aerodrome fell into disrepair and was largely forgotten until the late 1970s.

Ros Kerslake from the Heritage Lottery Fund said: “Stow Maries is a remarkable place, providing a unique insight into First World War aviation.”