The Walls Have Ears With Dr Helen Fry

"The Walls have Ears" - with Dr Helen FryThe Greatest Intelligence Operation of WWIIA few days before the start of World War Two, Secret Intelligence Service Spymaster Thomas Kendrick arrived at the Tower of London to trial a top secret operation: German prisoners’ cells were to be bugged and listeners installed behind the walls to record and transcribe their private conversations.This intelligence-gathering mission proved so effective that it would go on to be set up at a further three sites to provide the Allies with crucial insight into new technology and deadly German V-weapons being developed by the Nazis.In this astonishing history, Helen Fry uncovers the inner workings of the bugging operations at three clandestine sites: Trent Park (North London), and Latimer House and Wilton Park in Buckinghamshire.Upon arrival at stately homes like Trent Park, high ranking German Generals and commanders were given a ‘phoney’ interrogation, then treated as ‘guests’, wined and dined at exclusive clubs, given cigars and whiskey, and encouraged to talk.

There was even a fake aristocrat to charm the generals.And so it was that the Allies secured access to some of Hitler’s most closely guarded secrets - and from those most entrusted to protect them.Date and Time:Saturday 11th September11amLocation:Old Baptist ChapelOld Baptist Chapel CourtOff Church StreetTewkesburyGl20 5rzTickets:£10 per person