Former RAF Aerodrome Norton Woodseats

[The_Bear]

There are plans to build a new housing estate, hotel and business park on the Norton Aerodrome site. These plans are available to view at the new Town Hall building (Howden House).

Having looked at the plans, there are no historic maps of the site until about the 1950's, probably due to the fact that it was kept secret during the war.

I live on the Charnock estate and I regularly walk through the aerodrome. One of my neighbours used to work there after the war. I dont know when the building work is due to commence but, for anyone interested, it might be worth having a last look at the site before is is developed on.

[David Bowler]

This is not the Barrage Ballon station at Norton, this was a proper airfield with landing strip and was located at the junction of Norton Lane and Dyche Lane, the site is now occupied by Rowlinson Junior School, I have read a book about the history of this airfield but cannot recall the title I think it was something like "Wartime memories of Norton"

[prioryx]

The RAF station at Norton was an active base upto the 1950s. I remember that it had a spitfire or hurricane at the main gate .

I also believe that the only time the Great Yorkshire show was held outside Yorkshire it was held at the Norton airfield but I don't

know if that is a fact.

[David Bowler]

I think we are at cross purposes here, Norton Woodseats Airfield is Not the one where the Barrage Ballons were serviced, I lived next door to that one for many years.

[mattymattmat]

So what was the airfield at norton/lightwood, which is now used as a driving centre used for? was it used inWW2?

[mattymattmat]

Priory the only reason has to be that it wasnt in yorkshire in those days it was in derbyshire i believe.

[David Bowler]

The base at Lightwood was used in WW11 as a service and repair base for Barrage Ballons, and yes it would be in Derbyshire at that time.

[prioryx]

I think that the airfield was used in WW1.Flying displays were there between the wars.A friend of mine frim Sheffield did his National Service there.

[David Bowler]

They probably did do flying displays but that would most likely have been the base at Norton/Woodseats where they had a landing strip and could take quite large aircraft [at the time] the Barrage Balloon base had no landing strip and is surrounded by trees.

 

I will try to locate the book I mentioned in earlier post, It has lots of history and pictures. give me a few days to find it.

[David Bowler]

If you wish to know about both Airbases at Norton you will find it in this book "Norton in wartime" by Norton History group, they can be contacted at, Mrs W N Gilmour, 264 Norton lane, Sheffield, S8 8HD.

 

The Airbase at Norton Woodseats was No 2 Aircraft repair Depot and the other one was No 16 Ballon Centre Sheffield.

 

Sheffield archives On Shoreham St have a plan of the entire site ref,BUSH S586.

 

The book has lots of photos and maps of both sites so if you want to know about this you can order the book through your local library ISBN 0 9525395 0 0.

 

Thank you.