During World War Two about 10,000 people worked at Bletchley Park to decode messages which the German forces transmitted, most notably by Hitler to the German high command. The cracking of the codes used, the use of the intelligence gained and the subsequent related actions of the Allies is said to have shortened World War Two by two years, saving many lives.
Bletchley Park is also the birthplace of the computer. The world's first programmable, digital, electronic computer: Colossus was invented and built at Bletchley Park during World War Two to speed the reading of encrypted German messages.
| Bletchley Park | An enigma machine used for encrypting messages |
Colossus – one of the first computers Internal electronics – mock up
| Gas mask belonging to lan Turing. He was an English mathematician, wartime code-breaker and pioneer of computer science. He worked at Bletchley throughout the war and was at the heart of the establishment. He was seen wearing the gas mask when cycling to work in the summer. He suffered from hay fever. He chained his mug to the radiator so no one else could use it! |
Whilst at Henley we had two groups of visitors. The first (left) was Sue’s sister Pam and Richard and on the following day Jennifer and Brian, who live not too far away. It was lovely to see everyone.
Out and about near Henley
Stoner Park All Saints’ Church, Bisham
We left the River and Rowing Museum to our last full day in Henley. We wish we had visited earlier because the ticket lasts for a year and there was too much to see in one visit. Highly recommended.
The International Rowing Gallery - it’s difficult exhibiting some of the these boats so hanging them from the ceiling is the best way.
The Henley Gallery, showing Eva an umpires launch from the 1870’s.
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