Laying the foundation of anything is a special moment, and so it is with the landmark Column to commemorate the invention of the Hovercraft at Somerleyton in 1955. Well known loc builder M S Oakes Ltd., with their directly employed local workforce, are much respected for fine workmanship.
Mark Oakes pictured right, recalled that Lord Somerleyton and Lord Prior opened Oaklands House, the new Oakes Group headquarters in 2001, so they were very pleased to lay the foundation for the Hovercraft Column at Somerleyton .
Clearing the site began on the 12th February and by the 19th they had completed both excavation and laying the reinforced concrete. The on-site photograph below shows Paul Hugman left, architect James Airy, David Perring and Shaun Nicholls. See Press Release 4
