Talk: House of Spies
In the summer of 1942, Farm Hall in Godmanchester was requisitioned by the RAF and became Station 61b, part of the Special Intelligence Service. Over the next three years, agents from almost every occupied country passed through the Hall on their way to an uncertain future. When, in the spring of 1945, agents were no longer being dropped ,the Hall was transformed into a ‘holding’ property for 10 German nuclear scientists, captured during the advance into Europe. Unbeknown to them, every room was ‘bugged’, even the garden. They stayed there until January 1946, never once suspecting that their every word was recorded.
About the speaker:
Roger Leivers moved to Godmanchester in 1989, and started doing World War I and World War II walks around the town, and then became a volunteer with the local museum. In 2012, he started work on his first book, Stirling to Essen, which covered the crew of a crashed short stirling bomber near his town. The book was published in 2017 and has now sold over 4,000 copies worldwide. Four years later, Godmanchester at War was published in hardback, with over 1,000 copies sold.
Along with other activities, this has enabled Roger to donate over £40,000 to a wide variety of causes in memory of the people who’s stories he tells. Book number 3 is in it’s planning stage!
You can find out more about the Godmanchester Stirling here.
Supporting the Museum of Cambridge
The Museum of Cambridge is an independent Charity and is not part of either the Cambridge Council or the University of Cambridge. We kindly suggest a donation of £8, which includes the talk and entry to the Museum of Cambridge (usually £7 for Standard, £6 for Concession). Proceeds from this talk will be split between the Museum of Cambridge, an independent charity, and MAGPAS Air Ambulance.
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Accessibility
You can also read about our accessibility information on our website. If you’d like to chat through any accessibility requirements, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01223 355159 or email sumyin.wong@museumofcambridge.org.uk. Event attendees with additional needs are welcome to bring a supporter or carer who will be admitted to the event free of charge.
Getting Here
We are in the centre of Cambridge. You’ll find us at the corner of Castle Street and Northampton Street. We are right beside Kettle’s Yard and only a 15-minute walk from King’s College.
You can park your bike at the bike parks on Bridge Street or on Northampton Street. There is a bus stop on Bridge Street. Check out the Stagecoach website to plan your journey to and from the Museum. Find out more about how to get here by train, bike, bus, car or on foot on our website.
Photography and Videography
Please note that this talk will be recorded for future viewing online. Please also note that photographs will be taken throughout this event, and images may be used in future marketing and reporting materials. If you do not wish for you or your family’s photograph to be taken, please make sure to let us know.
Healthy Events
If you’re feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please do not attend this event. We’ll be happy to offer you a refund if applicable, and welcome you at the Museum on another day.