Oh My God! My Village Is Being Invaded!

by Danny Sullivan on April 30, 2008

in Salisbury Plain


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I’ve long wanted to do a post about the “German village” that’s about a mile from our home in Wiltshire. The British Army uses this as an urban training ground (and a few years ago, an “Iraqi village” sprung up next to it. Living in the middle of the Salisbury Plain training grounds, you get used to things like giant airplanes flying just above the house or tanks firing loudly only a mile away. But imagine my surprise to read on Techmeme that we’re about to be invaded by robotic scouts! Well, the German village that is. News.com and New Scientist have more about the competition that’s being held. And doesn’t it figure — we’ll be gone by the time in August when it happens! Well, I’ll get out to the village as I’ve been meaning to for ages to shoot some photos before it happens. Above, a close-up of the village (very out of date, not showing the Iraqi village). Below, our house in relation to the village.

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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

1 Andy Poulton May 1, 2008 at 1:46 am

Hi Danny
Sorry to hear that you’re leaving the UK, would have loved to meet up and pick your brians (or bought you a beer since all of my early SEO info came via SEW)especially since I am frequently down your way (now I know where your way is)
With regards to the village, it was specially built but there’s an even spookier one just up the road called Imber.
The MOD requisitioned it in 1943, pushing the inhabitants out. Allegedly they were meant to be allowed back once the war was over, they never were.
Occasionally, the village is opened to the public and once a year the church is allowed to conduct a service for the remaining villagers and their descendants.
Just Google Imber for more.
Tara for now

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