Hatfield's new police station officially opened
FORMER de Havilland workers were guests of honour to see the historic listed building returned to its former glory. The country s first integrated police station and courtroom was opened in Hatfield today. In attendance were three former Hatfield workers
FORMER de Havilland workers were guests of honour to see the historic listed building returned to its former glory.
The country's first integrated police station and courtroom was opened in Hatfield today.
In attendance were three former Hatfield workers, who had answered a call in the WHT for ex-employees to have the chance to attend.
Graham Pestle, Elizabeth Thomson and Ralph Adcock were joined by government ministers Vernon Coaker and Bridget Prentice for the official unveiling.
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Mrs Thomson, from WGC, worked in the mailing and telegram department during World War Two and was delighted to have been selected.
Mr Pestle said: "The building is very impressive now, the worst thing was seeing it derelict.
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"It was the heart of Hatfield and it's been restored to a good standard."
Mr Coaker, minister responsible for policing and counter-terrorism, told the gathered guests outside the central area's new police headquarters in Comet Way: "This is a fantastic building.
"What it must be for the community of Hatfield and for all the thousands of people who have worked here to come back and see a building that was derelict from 1993 and see it restored to its former glory and providing a useful community function, must make everyone proud."
The �18m project combines state-of-the-art facilities with sensitive restoration of the grade II-listed building.
Inside Hatfield's neighbourhood team now work in what was the company's ballroom and from the air the completed building is in the shape of an aircraft.
The restored historic buildings form the wings, the new enquiry office represents the cockpit and the custody suite makes up the fuselage and tailfin.
A planned flypast of World War Two planes by the de Havilland Moth Club was cancelled due to adverse weather.
