Report - Ditton Research Laboratory June 2012

[Wevsky]

Oh no not another Ditton report i hear you moan!Well yes but this is slightly different from the norm as we made a late night visit so no available light what so ever!

Thanks to SpaceInvader and Obscurity for a few tips on access used,bit of a shame as that is no longer doable so my self and Urban ginger had to scout for another way in...

Brief history borrowed from Morgan606 as its a good snipit of info

Ditton Research lab was originally opened by The Empire Marketing Board in 1930.

The EMB was formed in May 1926 by the Colonial Secretary Leo Amery to promote inter-Empire trade and to persuade consumers to 'Buy Empire'. It was actually established as a substitute for tariff reform and protectionist legislation and this is why it was eventually abolished in 1933, as a system of imperial preference replaced free trade.

The EMB had three principal aims: to support scientific research, promotion of economic analysis, and publicity for Empire trade.

The purpose of this laboratory was to carry out experiments on the shipping of fruit across the high seas,in order to extend its life over long,seabourne journeys. This is where the "ship on land" experiment originated from.

In 1969 the lab was incorporated into the nearby East Malling Research Station as the fruit storage section.

On with the pics,must admit the pipes and other machinery odds and sods that are left made it worth the late night.

Thanks for looking