An Otmoor hotspot.
Back in the 50’s and the 60’s
However Wychwood was not the only area of government concern. Greenham Common was being used, by the government, as a distraction. Their attention had really turned to Otmoor. Otmoor was an area of mystery that was kept under close observation, especially the area from Prattle Woods, the “lowers” (Lower Woods Farm and the two Lower Farms) and East and South of the River Ray. Prior to the establishment of more sophisticated methods, careful, covert observation was maintained from the basket suspended below the air balloon at Weston On The Green aerodrome. The existence of centers of advanced engineering at Grove, Enstone and at Leafield itself with their ability to develop delivery devices that could be used by terrorists further concentrated the interest of the intelligence services.
With the gradual opening up of Wychwood to the public government concern was alleviated to the extent that they closed down the Leafield listening post and the poles have now completely disappeared. Interest in Otmoor has been maintained and Beckley has taken over from Leafield as the observation or listening post leading to the demise of the air balloon at Weston.
The existence of MOD bases at Bicester, Ambrosden, Brize Norton and the former USAF base at Heyford are no mere coincidence, but just underline the concern of the government in the covert activity within the area. The fact that the government chief investigator into WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) resided at nearby Kingston Bagpuize is but another indicator of the priority given to the area. Indeed, his presence was promoted by the fear that terrorists had produced a WMD that had been released into Britain through Wychwood: this was codenamed Dogs Bollocks and is one of the most potent of WMDs.
The failure to capture both Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and the near certainty that they have both fled their respective countries has increased speculation regarding the traffic in “illegals” via the night flights into Kidlington. An increase in the interest in this activity was signaled by the government when they announced the setting up of a centre for illegals at Bicester.
The WMD chief inspectors untimely demise has coincided with a very marked increase in communications traffic detected by the Beckley listening post. This traffic has increased rapidly and peaked last week at the time of the suicide bombing in Israel with the finger of suspicion being pointed at Arafat, Syria, Afghanistan, Saddam and a previously undeclared terrorist cell. The bombing resulted in the PMs early departure from the Labour party conference and a number of hotline calls to America. A special meeting of the UK Security advisory body acknowledges the existence of a “cell” going by the name of “Shwak Oflanks” active in the Otmoor area. They have pinpointed the location of its leader, using the name “The Pope”, in the village of Noke and have identified some key anagrams giving a clue to expected activity: e.g. L Bommers.
Unfortunately they have
yet to break the code used within the communications and are not, therefore,
able to predict where these terrorists may strike next.
I can help………it is at 10:00 on Saturday 11th October 2003 at St Edwards School on the astro pitch where Falcons are due to play Reading.
Yes folks, it is all down to PJs use of telephone and other forms of electronic communication over the last few weeks culminating in our nine departing for Oxted last Saturday. Falcons are the active cell formulated by Pieter “J” and captained by the SS (Subterfuge Sobes).
And here is the report from Mike for the visit to Oxted on Saturday 4th October…………..
We're
on, we're off, we're often on, we're struggling.
Monday.
Once again PJ is in confident mood with his request for 12 or more for
selection for the weekend.
Thursday.
BT are worried. All lines out of Noke
have been busy all week. P J has scrapped together 10, with 2 still to reply.
Friday A.M. Suicidal note from PJ - We are now 9 with no
goal keeper. Should we cancel?
Giles Roper says he can play, but still no keeper. A call
to the oppo - Good news! They can supply a keeper (Steve [clean sheet] – SCS -
from Tunbridge Wells) - Therefore!
Friday P.M. A phone call from Robbo - We're off - To Oxted,
that is.
Saturday, 10.15 A.M. Cutteslowe, we meet. No Giles Roper
though, maybe he's gone direct. Off we go. Further good news - we don't have to
go all the way to Oxted, we're playing inside the M25 just outside Caterham. We
make good time, which is just as well as their instructions aren't perfect.
Line up
SCS]
Mike Dave
John Ian Mark
Tony Nick Peter Rogan
It's a game of two halves (sic). We dominate both.
Steve keeps a CLEAN SHEET and a running commentary for the
benefit of his defence. They get more and more frustrated. Always good news for
a defender when the oppo's forwards start arguing amongst themselves.
Goals form Sobes (short corner) & Barnes Wallace (aka
Rogues) ensure a win. Not as comfortable as it should have been as both Ellio
& Sobes were walking wounded by the end.
Back to their clubhouse for a warm down with beer (Larkins
Brewery) and mince (had chillies in it but didn't compare to the 'killer'
variety al la Jan.
Unfortunately Steve didn't think he was available for a
10am start this coming Saturday, so I guess "the recumbent one" will
be back.
Quote of the trip "Never watch your children play
sport: it puts too much stress on them" - A. Henman.
Actually there were several other
quotes, but they're of the unpublishable sort.