RAF Dale
Encyclopedia
The former Royal Air Force Station Dale, commonly known as RAF Dale, was a World War II
Royal Air Force
airfield, located close to Dale
, Pembrokeshire
.
Construction of the airfield began between the villages of Dale and Marloes
in 1941. It became operational in June 1942. Initially it was to be named RAF Marloes, planned as a satellite to nearby RAF Talbenny
.
Following cessation of activities in World War II
, RAF Dale was decommissioned, and the site became occupied by the Fleet Air Arm
as RNAS Dale (aka HMS Goldcrest).
Now owned privately by a local farmer, in May 2010, an illegal rave
was held on the site, attracting 2,500 people. Dyfed-Powys Police
were forced eventually to create road blocks to stop further attendees joining, and release an announcement on local media. After the rave ended on Monday 31 May, six men aged between 23 and 52 were charged with offences under Section 136 of the Licensing Act
for carrying out unlicensed licensable activity.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
airfield, located close to Dale
Dale, Pembrokeshire
Dale is a small village and community in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, located on the Dale Peninsula which forms the northern side of the entrance to Milford Haven estuary. The village has 205 inhabitants according to the 2001 census.-History:...
, Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
.
Construction of the airfield began between the villages of Dale and Marloes
Marloes
Marloes is a village in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It is situated on the Marloes Peninsula 7 miles west of the port of Milford Haven and forms the westernmost tip of the southern shore of St Brides Bay. It is within part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park...
in 1941. It became operational in June 1942. Initially it was to be named RAF Marloes, planned as a satellite to nearby RAF Talbenny
RAF Talbenny
RAF Talbenny was a World War II Royal Air Force airfield in Pembrokeshire operational from 1942 to December 1946. There were 3 concrete runways encircled by a perimeter track and 36 dispersal points....
.
Following cessation of activities in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, RAF Dale was decommissioned, and the site became occupied by the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
as RNAS Dale (aka HMS Goldcrest).
Now owned privately by a local farmer, in May 2010, an illegal rave
Rave
Rave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
was held on the site, attracting 2,500 people. Dyfed-Powys Police
Dyfed-Powys Police
Dyfed-Powys Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and the county of Powys, in Wales. The territory it covers is the largest police area in England and Wales, and the fourth largest in the United Kingdom...
were forced eventually to create road blocks to stop further attendees joining, and release an announcement on local media. After the rave ended on Monday 31 May, six men aged between 23 and 52 were charged with offences under Section 136 of the Licensing Act
Licensing Act 2003
The Licensing Act of 2003 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that applies only to England and Wales. The Act establishes a single integrated scheme for licensing premises which are used for the sale or supply of alcohol, to provide regulated entertainment, or to provide late night...
for carrying out unlicensed licensable activity.