THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
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oUR History

HMS Mercury 

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Mercury Day

Saturday the 14th March saw the return of over 150 former Naval personnel to unveil a Blue Plaque to celebrate the history of HMS Mercury. The 55 acres which is now the Sustainability Centre, was once part of the 120 acre Leydene Estate. This was home to HMS Mercury, the Royal Naval Communications and Navigation School between 1941 and 1993. Over half a million personnel served or trained at Mercury during the 52 years of its existence.

Phill Humphries welcomed everyone before the blue plaque was officially unveiled by Commodore Tony Morrow, who was Captain of Mercury from 1988-1991.

Since 1993 there has been another season of change as the site has been transformed from one which educated so many in the technology of communication to one where communication is our means of educating people today, and especially young people, in the ways of sustainable living.

David Smith and his committee worked alongside our staff to make it a day to remember. 

Launching the Blue Plaque Trail

The aim of the Blue Plaque scheme is to commemorate HMS Mercury Communication and Navigation School and its place in history. Further blue plaques are being placed at other locations which had a special association with Mercury and which are fondly remembered by those who served at Leydene. 
​
​​This little ditty tells the story of all the HMS Mercury Blue Plaques written for the launch by Ollie Butler.
​

A Blue Plaque Ditty

After all the nitty gritty, I just have a little ditty.
It’s to thank the Blue Plaque Team, for the great success of this worthy scheme.

Thinking back when it begun, first and launch was the Rising Sun.
Bat and Ball hit number two, the Mercury site, was quite a coup.

The Pinkie wrapped up number four, the BCC the next to score.
Isaac Walton netted number six, the Hurdles took a while to fix.

Number eight The Bird in Hand, Red Lion Chalton, nine as planned.
The Heroes made it half a score, next stop found us at the door.

Of the Hampshire Hog, the eleventh place, this worthy scheme did embrace.
The penultimate there was no flagon, it’s merely the site of the old Green Dragon.

The thirteenth and final one of all, Adorns the Mercury Museum wall.
Now, with all plaques on display, there’s only one thing left to say.

Who’ll be left with the final chore, of planning the route for the run ashore.

BCC Broadhalfpenny Down Cricket Club
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Find Other Blue Plaques
​
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Donations

Charity Number ​​ 1079866

Earthworks Trust & Earthworks Foundation

​The Sustainability Centre is owned and operated by ​The Earthworks Trust (Charity No.1079866).
Our trading company is Earthworks Foundation. All profits go to support our charity The Earthworks Trust.
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Main Address

The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR
01730 823166

Reception

01730 823166
​info@sustainability-centre.org

South Downs Eco Lodge & Camp Site

South Downs Eco Lodge
​The Sustainability Centre 
​
Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR
01730 823549
​​accommodation@sustainability-centre.org

Cafe

01730 823755
infobeechcafe@gmail.com  

Burials

​01730 823425
​burials@sustainability-centre.org

Education

​01730 823166
​education@sustainability-centre.org

Courses

01730 823166
​courses@sustainability-centre.org

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  • Home
    • Coronavirus Announcement >
      • Booking Options Form
    • What Is Sustainability
    • All About Us >
      • History
    • Awards
    • Bursary
    • Beech Cafe
    • Staff Team & Trustees
    • Job Opportunities
    • Partnerships >
      • Onsite Partners
    • Site Map >
      • Map
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List
  • Eco Active Blog
    • Health
    • Meditation
    • On The Wild Side
    • Grow Now
    • Young People
    • Art & Craft
  • Our Future
    • Ready Steady Grow
    • New Learning Centre
    • South Downs Eco Lodge
  • Projects
    • Beekeepers
    • Chalk Grassland
    • Compost Toilet
    • Forest Gardening
    • Permaculture
    • Straw Bale Solar Powered Showers
    • Solar Projects
    • The Woodland Hall
    • Tree Bog
    • Wetherdown Lodge
    • Wetland Ecosystem Treatment
    • Yurts
  • Support Us
    • Friends >
      • Become a Friend
      • Friends Field
    • Business >
      • Business Friends
    • Leaves For Learning Appeal >
      • Fundraise for us
      • Hedgehog Eco Challenge
    • Gifts & Donations
    • Donation Form
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
  • Courses
    • Adult Courses >
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Book Making Course
        • Fabric Baskets Course
        • Natural Cosmetics Workshop
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Gate Hurdle Making Course
        • Heritage Basket Making Course
        • Pendant Carving Course
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Stool Carving Course
        • Trug Making Course
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Bird Feeders Course
        • Willow Bowls Course
        • Willow Coffin Course
        • Willow Dragonflies Course
        • Willow Festive Decorations Course
        • Willow Frame Basket Course
        • Willow Garden Sculpture
        • Willow Obelisks Course
      • Food and Gardening Courses >
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Cordial Making Course
        • Deer Butchery Course
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Forest School Assistant Training
        • Forest School Taster Day
        • Lost Words Training Course
      • Health & Wellbeing Courses >
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Mental Health First Aid Course
        • Natural Wellbeing Course
      • Natural Building Courses >
        • Eco-Refurbishment
        • Roundwood Timber Framing Course
      • Nature Connection and Folklore Courses >
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Nature Connection
        • Nature Led Meditation
        • Woodland Folklore Course
        • Unwind in the Woods
      • Permaculture Courses >
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management
    • Children's Workshops >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Children's Holiday Workshops
    • Bespoke Courses
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
    • Courses Covid Information
  • Schools
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips
    • Residentials
    • Farm Tours
    • Saxon Experience
    • Forest School
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • We Can Come to Your School
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Training for Teachers
    • Meet the Team
    • Useful Information & Booking Forms
    • Contact the Education Team
  • Accommodation
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • What's On
    • Art Exhibitions >
      • Past Exhibitions
      • Pete Levy
    • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Online Experiences
    • South Downs Green Fair
    • Talk & Tour
    • Your Events
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies and Gifts
    • Donations
  • Shop and Bookings
    • Gift Vouchers
    • Online T Shirt Shop
    • Online Eco Shop
    • Shop At The Centre