Welcome to Burton upon Stather

Introduction

Burton upon Stather Heritage Group (BSHG) was formed in basically because we are proud of our locality, its history and heritage. It is appropriate that we chose the WWII tank ramp as our groups first project because the name Stather is derived from the Viking word staithes meaning landing stage, taking us back over 1000 years into dark age history. There has in fact been a landing stage at the Stather since at least Roman times and the village owes its very existence to it.

Major General Percy Hobart
© IWM (H 20697)
Nicholas Straussler
Nicholas Straussler
© The Tank Museum (No. 2498/B/1)

Our landing stage brings us up to date a little being just over 70 years old but is nevertheless a very important part of our local heritage that touched the lives of everyone in the village during the years of WWII. The Tank Ramp as it has been affectionately known locally since its construction, played a vitally important part of research into amphibious tanks and ancillaries in WWII and up to its closure in 1947. Famous names such as Major General Sir Percy Hobo Hobart and Nicholas Straussler visited the site and it is widely believed that Barnes Wallis, inventor of the bouncing bomb, also spent time here working on a device known as The pendulum. Though our research has yet to find written evidence of this. It paved the way for those who were willing to lay down their lives to cross the Rhine in an effort to save Britain from invasion (as it was, as one of our veterans will vouch, the war was won without crossing the Rhine) but we must not forget these WWII veterans who faced the ultimate challenge in facing the possibility of giving their lives for their country. Restoring the Tank Ramp into a working slipway and tourist attraction is, we believe, a fitting memorial for the brave soldiers that served there. Time moves on and now we have members of our Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan and beyond, facing the ultimate sacrifice and so we honour todays soldiers by supporting Help for Heroes with a percentage of our funds raised being donated to this most worthy cause.

Our fundraising events of the Burton upon Stather Heritage Group naturally followed the history of the Tank Ramp with a Raft Race in aid of Help for Heroes and a Fun Day for the local community. Held as part of the long standing Burton in Bloom weekend, it was an unprecedented success benefiting both organisations and the local community. The day attracted close on 500 visitors including local MP Andrew Percy and NLC ward councillors Rob Waltham, Ralph Ogg and Elaine Marper, all of who commented on our remarkable Big Society achievements. This promises to be an exciting annual event for many years to come.


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© 2024 Burton upon Stather Heritage Group

© Background Photograph by Sam Ablott.