2026 Events at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre 
​We normally hold 8 lectures during the season in comfortable surroundings, with guest speakers presenting aviation related themes to both members and visitors, over the course of approximately 2 hours. See below for more details.

Cost for non-members is £7 per person payable on the door. Tickets can be purchased on the door - includes tea/coffee and biscuits.
Members - FREE on production of a valid membership card or proof of online purchase.
You can join as a member on the night or go online beforehand.

In addition to our lecture programme, we'll be hosting a number of other events at The Centre this season. See below for more information.
Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre 2026 Lecture Programme

We are pleased to announce that our 2026 lecture programme is up and running with the first four speakers confirmed; see below for more details.

We're in the process of finalising the second half of the year so please come back to this page regularly for updates and more information.

As per last year, lectures are free to members on production of a valid membership card on the evening. For non-members, lectures cost £7.00 per person per event. This is payable at reception on arrival or tickets can be purchased in advance through our online shop.

​Details of our first lecture can be found below and tickets for the event are now available in our online store HERE.

Lecture Night, Wednesday 25th March 2026 - "The History of RAF Winthorpe" presented by Howard Heeley

​Our first lecture of 2026 is presented by Howard Heeley and covers the story of an airfield that is just over Lincolnshire border in Nottinghamshire on part of the site of RAF Station No.51 or RAF Winthorpe as it became known. 

In September 1940 RAF Station Winthorpe (Number 51 base), was opened as a satellite station to RAF Swinderby and early operations were mainly centred around the Polish squadrons 300 and 301, who initially flew Fairey Battles and then moved on to Wellingtons. They mainly operated from Winthorpe when Swinderby was water logged. 

In October 1942 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit [HCU] was formed as part of 5 Group. Under the command of Sqn Ldr John Nettleton VC, 1661 HCU took over 9, 44 and 49 Squadron bomber conversion flights, operating initially with A & B flights at Waddington and C flight at Scampton.  The unit’s task was to covert crews from 5 Group’s OTU squadrons onto flying Manchesters and Lancasters, turning them out ready for operational duty.

On December 29th 1942 - all three flights were noted as being ready for transfer to RAF Winthorpe. Courses for HCU were split into two sections for crews to receive flying and ground training on alternate days. As such RAF Winthorpe was a significant training location for aircrews moving on to operational squadrons in Lincolnshire.

Post war the base remained operation until the late 1950s and a brief mention of this period of activity will also be mentioned.
Avoid the queues. Tickets are now available from our online store HERE

We look forward to welcoming you back to Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre for our first lecture of the year.
 Other 2026 Events at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre
Our Vision: A world where RAF Metheringham is never forgotten
Our Values: Welcoming - Educational - Respectful - Enthusiastic - Inspirational
Our Mission: To advance the education of the public and provide for the general benefit of the public the preservation and conservation of the buildings, other constructions and related historic artefacts forming part the former Metheringham Airfield as defined in the lease and in connection with 106 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, No. 5 Group Bomber Command, the Royal Air Force and RAF Metheringham and by the exhibition and public display of historic and informative collections relating thereto.

​Copyright: Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre 2026 (Registered Charity No. 1194347)

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