Walks & Talks

In 2008 Richard Bass took three "walks" across Braunton Burrows at the invitation of John Breeds the English Countryside warden. Starting at Broadsands the groups were guided along the foreshore and into the sand dunes, finishing at the concrete landing craft. On the way groups were told much of the history of the American occupation of the Assault Training Centre and explanations of how they achieved their training for D-Day. Stopping at points of interest and remains of American wartime constructions, details of their training was given together with stories gleaned from veterans of 1944. To add historical colour to the events, members of the living history group "First Wave 44" accompanied the walkers.

Richard also gave three talks about the Assault Training Centre, one at Barnstaple that was sold out three times over, one at the Braunton Countryside Centre and another at High Bickington. He also gave a talk in south Devon about Exercise Tiger.

2009 started with two walks for schools and two for the North Devon Walking Festival, a talk at the AONB/NDAS 50th anniversary event and a lecture on Exercise "Tiger" at Barnstaple followed by a field trip for Braunton School. In 2010 two walks for the North Devon Walking Festival and five talks are already planned.

If you would like a talk or customised walk around the Assault Training Centre, then please contact Richard at his email address of rtbass@blueyonder.co.uk