Len Copsey’s Teapot & Other Delights
The morning heralded what looked to be the nicest day of the year so far - not a cloud in the sky.
Being ever the responsible one I simply abandoned everything and spent the day roaming about.
My first port of call was a revisit to . . .
The wartime gun emplacements near Stallingborough. The reason for my visit was simple - I wanted to be there again but experience the place with a different mind.
A mind now full of Len Copsey’s fabulous comments.
Whenever I go somewhere of historic interest I always allow my mind free reign - let it wander and imagine what may have transpired here before.
It changes the experience of a place - it turns earthworks from ‘bumpy fields’ into places of of excitement and interest - places you feel privileged to have visited.
With Len’s descriptions of starting diesel engines and working on the guns in my mind I climbed on the roof of one emplacement to take this picture in the blazing sun
The Mount and Housing for an Anti-Aircraft Gun
Things felt so much different as I clambered through the rubble to get to various parts of the site. I always knew when I climbed stone steps many had done so before but this time I knew I was, quite literally, walking in Len’s footsteps.
The information Len has so generously imparted changed the entire experience of being there for me - looking at this one wonders - did Len ever use this ?
An Old Piece of Machinery I Found in the Undergrowth
I spent some time at the site and also walked quite a way around the surrounding area looking for other features alluded to by somebody on the original thread.
I did met a local farmer who said a mound had been removed from the field backing onto the site - make of that or take it as you will.
To show just how the mind changes state not only when allowed but also when fed new information this caught my eye.
On seeing the battered old tin teapot I thought:
” it’s theoretically possible that Len had a mug of tea brewed in that”
Len Copsey’s Teapot
I know that sounds far-fetched, a bit flowery, unlikely and silly but that doesn’t matter - you’re touching the past !
The farmer I met spoke much of local legend and how the landscape had changed. He mentioned how close the river used to run by Stallingborough church a few hundred years ago. Did I know there were Mooring Rings there ?
Well, this rang a bell as it first came up at Immingham Church I thought this could perhaps answer the confusion so I, once again, went back to Stallingborough church - I found no rings 
Feeling the need for a feed I swung by La Casa Goldeneye and once my appetite was sated I felt drawn toward my current favourite local spot. It was on route I met up with a young man who joined me in my meanderings. He’s 17 years of age so should be useless 
but he’s not - I learn a lot hearing thoughts and ideas intelligently formulated from a different perspective that youth inevitably brings.
Military Helicopters ?
In what seemed like a tribute to my day spent thinking of Len, his comrades and all things military it felt as though tribute was also paid the the armed forces today in what amounted to a fly past.
There were three helicopters, two shown above, flying in formation closely followed by this plane
US Military Plane ?
I’m not sure what they all are or indeed whether the above is indeed American - I’m hoping a certain someone may be able to enlighten us !
Once to fly-by was over we walked a little further and came across 2 real life tigers, quite literally, which rounded off another day in the life of your host.
My thanks go out to Len for the inspiration for this day and ultimately making it one I’ll not forget
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
April 9, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
Rod
all this without a detector in sight well done mate,
the first two Choppers are Westland Lynx HAS. MK2 Shipborne multi role light Helicopters… Prob the RN display team. these are special choppers as they are the only ones that can do a loop the loop most just stall if they try it ..
the photo of the single plane is a Douglas C-47 Skytrain Dakota capable of delivering 28 troops over a battlefield this one is based occasionaly at Humberside and is pictured in D-day invasion colours, oridginaly a US plane but now in the hands of a private collector here in the UK.
Regards
chris
Rod said,
April 9, 2010 @ 1:46 pm
Chris,
how’s that for a perfect reply - brillinat many thanks and better they’re an even more interesting sight than I’d hoped for
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
April 9, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
Monday 12th April 9pm channel 4 Everybody who can please watch it on the box, its going to be very interesting trust me
regards
chris
Phil El said,
April 9, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
Hmm… Interesting! Should i purchase a metal detector now before the rush, & (inevitable)price increase Chris?
Was in Killingholm today & considered diverting for a quick look at Gun site (but had to go north of the river)
Probably would have missed you Rod, as you were there very early, judging by your post. Must go & have a look though - the atmosphere, with imagination, must be incredible.
Craig Knighton said,
April 9, 2010 @ 8:59 pm
http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/history/history-of-dakota-n473dc.htm
chris keyworth said,
April 9, 2010 @ 9:53 pm
Phil yes do it mate..
Craig yes thats the one i love these plains such a distinctive sound in the skys…
regards
chris
History Hunter said,
April 9, 2010 @ 11:48 pm
from Craigs link…..
“BATTLE DAMAGE: Numerous bullet holes from aerial attack to cockpit and nose areas, including bullet through pilot’s seat back. Flak and ground fire damage to under wing and rear fuselage areas. Dates and locations of damage unknown. Crew injuries in action unknown. Most likely related to the Arnhem re-supply campaign”
I have had the pleasure of going aboard this fantastic aircraft when it first came to HUY. Just standing there inside it you get a feeling of what went on in days gone by. From the outside the aircraft looks perfect, but viewed from inside it becomes apparant just how vunerable the planes were while flak was being fired at them. The pilot showed us all the bullet holes. They are all still visible on the inside but they have all been patched outside.Incidentallly the bullet through the pilots seat, which incidentally killed the pilot, was fired from the ground as can be seen by the angle of the hole and the hole in the fuselage.
Sorry about the crap pictures…they were actually taken by a colleague, but she forgot to put the flash setting on…..so it looks like she has alzheimers! The aerial photos were taken by another colleague but he knew how to work his camera!
Photos via email
Rod said,
April 10, 2010 @ 9:14 am
Phil,
it is welll worth a visit - think of Len and all those like him when you go and you’ll not regret the trip.
Have a good look around as well as there’s plenty to see.
How fortunate for you you didn’t go when I was there - meeting me would have spoiled your day
Cheers
Rod
Rod said,
April 10, 2010 @ 9:15 am
Craig,
thanks for that, very informative and nice to hear from you again - don’t be a stranger !
Best
Rod
Rod said,
April 10, 2010 @ 9:17 am
HH,
thanks for the contribution - always much appreciated - great to see what it actually looks like and amazing to think I take a picture of a plane high up in the sky and then find these connections - fabulous !
Regards
Rod
[Later edit for clarity] For those possibly wondering this is not the same type of plane but the actual plane I took a picture of originally
Len Copsey said,
April 10, 2010 @ 5:58 pm
Rod, What can i say, you have changed my memories by your return to the Gunsite into poetry, i would love to return, re-teapot, our tea came in a galvanised bucket, tapering up from the bottom to a big diameter top with a spout & handle (Standard Army Issue) for pouring the tea into your mug hopefully and not on the floor!!!.
Rod said,
April 10, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
Len,
many thanks indeed - pleased you approve.
My father told me about the tea in a bucket when he was in the army - he also told me how they used to “top up” the bucket for the sergeants
Kind regards
Rod
Phil El said,
April 10, 2010 @ 10:55 pm
Rod,
Spoiled my day, i don’t think so!
You are obviously of a like mind to a lot of people, myself included.
A Curiosity……
Had the need to shop at ‘The Range’ outside Scunthorpe today.
On the way out we were approached by a lovely lady manning, no, ‘personning’ a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust stand.
I pointed out that the map of attractions did not include your local gem.
Slight embarrassment was followed by an admission that it was, but is not now included.
Is this good or bad for the local wildlife?
Do you think that the followers of your blog should follow your trail through this little paradise?
The church car park could easily accommodate a few coaches shurely, followed by some sort of catering - a tea shop perhaps, to be bought out later by a larger conglomerate, maybe selling ’sausage in a bun’, or similar. This would undoubtably attract other businesses:- Helter Skelter, Uncool Tom Cobbald & All (to name but a few, wiv much bough & scrapie to J.L.)
By the way - This websate seem to alteer yur wuuds wivout yr consunt, or privat nolodge and even aftr writted!
Can this be sorted o master of web u like’n stuff?
Rod said,
April 11, 2010 @ 9:12 am
Phil,
the area did once attract visitors from as far as London - indeed Lady Miriam Rothschild came to visit and even wrote about some of the rare things there.
Whilst I don’t imagine it would cause traffic chaos with visitor numbers it is deserving of appreciation and greater awareness.
Can you give me an example of something changing wordwise Phil ?
Shouldn’t be doing - I sometimes edit a comment for bad language, links to sites which turn uout to have malware issues or excessive text pasted in from another site etc
Best
Rod
Phil El said,
April 11, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
‘which turn uout’ - there you go!
Sorry Rod, tend to take the p*** when i’ve had a few, no harm intended.
Keep up the good work - love this site!
Best Regerds
Rod said,
April 12, 2010 @ 8:02 am
Hi Phil,
no probs - I’m always looking for glitches - I get some things reported which I cannot understand or replicate but sometimes things do crop up as it’s a complicated site.
Cheers
Rod
Rod said,
June 1, 2010 @ 10:22 am
Picture Update:
Len Copsey, to whom we’re all indebted to for his fabulous information and comments, has just celebrated his Ruby Wedding and his 81st birthday !
Carol & Len at their Ruby Wedding party
Congratulations, thanks and good wishes go out to Carol and Len
All the best
Rod
Len Copsey said,
June 1, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
Hi Rod & all the my Forum friends, thanks for your congratulations, i shall continue my N/S memories shortly Cheers Len.
Rod said,
June 1, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
Hi len,
we’re all happy to hear that Len, they’re incredibly interesting and a fabulous addition to the site
All the best
Rod
Amiguru said,
June 1, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
Hear! Hear!
History Hunter said,
June 5, 2010 @ 12:37 pm
Visitation number 1 (complete with pooch)
to quote Len Copsey “our tea came in a galvanised bucket, tapering up from the bottom to a big diameter top with a spout & handle”
I think i found something today that could have once resembled the aforementioned Mr Copsey’s tea pouring recepticle. Having entered the site from the public right of way the other side of the horses fields i was trying to get my bearings when i lost my footing and stumbled. As i stood back up i noticed a handle shaped much like, and roughly the same size as a bucket handle. I pulled it out of the rubble and took a closer look at it. Theres not much left of the original shell of the bucket, but there was the handle, the upper rim of the pail and also a few other bent pieces of metal hanging off it all. Having no camera with me, i left it in a prominent position at the base of a tree near the emplacement furthest from the road. Should easily be findable should i or anybody else return to the site in the near future.
I found this to be yet another site with the WOW factor.
Did you know in the trees just to the left of the entrance via the stables there is a later build underground bunker? It was built for the Cold War and was used up until 1991!!!
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/cgi-bin/webdata_roc.pl?fid=988309552.043003&query=Post%2BName%3D%26OS%2BGridRef%3D%26County%3D%26Date%2Bopened%3D%26Date%2Bclosed%3D%26Location%3D%26Description%3D%26Surface%2BStructures%3D%26Date%2Bof%2Bvisit%3D%26Future%2Bactions%3D%26pagenum%3D1%26cgifunction%3DSearch&cgifunction=form
Sorry the URL is so long. I have been trying to figure out how to shorten it but alas im no computer wiz
Rod said,
June 6, 2010 @ 9:31 am
HH,
good site report and find - nice work - good day for it as well.
I spoke to somebody who remembers when people used to ‘turn up’ and go into that bunker and sometimes not come out for a day or two !
For further research we should send CK down there on an exploratory mission
All the best
Rod