Woodbridge HIVE

Woodbridge HIVE
Barnsdale Community
Easton Road
Sutton Heath Estate,
Woodbridge,
Suffolk
IP12 3TD

Email: woodbridgehive@armymail.mod.uk  
Tel: 01394 421359
Fax: 01394 460375

Opening Hours:
Mon to Thu: 0900 - 1430hrs
Friday: 0830 - 1330hrs

Woodbridge is an attractive riverside town, steeped in history, on the banks of the river Deben. The town was once a port, noted for its shipbuilding and sail-making industries. Narrow streets hide many historic buildings, including fine examples of Georgian architecture. The town's centre has some retail and independent shops, dozens of places to eat and drink and some superb antique shops and galleries. Along the quayside is the famous Tide Mill and on the opposite bank of the river, Sutton Hoo, the burial site of Anglo-Saxon Kings. This is a great area for bird watching too with lowland heaths, forests, fresh water and salt marshes, reed beds and shingle beaches - many protected for their special value as wildlife habitats - worth visiting at any time of the year.

Woodbridge is not far from the A12, which then leads onto the A14, this is a dual carriageway and will take you to the M11, A1(M), M1 and M6 and all points north. For those wanting to travel to the South the A14 takes you to the second part of the A12 and then onto the M25 at Brentwood.

Unit Facilities: 23 Engineer Regiment (AA), Rock Barracks Previously an American Air Base, the barracks is now the home for 23 Engineer Regiment, Rock Barracks. The barracks are named after Lt Col John Frank Rock RE who was the Commanding Officer of the 1st Glider Battalion. On 22nd June 1940, the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill announced that the British Army would have a Corps of at least 5,000 parachute troops. Later, then Major John Rock was ordered to take charge of the organisation of airborne troops and to collaborate with the RAF in their training. Tragically, on the 27th September 1942, now, Lt Col. John Frank Rock R.E., died as a result of an accident whilst carrying out a trial on a hotspur glider. The base has been redeveloped with new Junior Ranks Accommodation, Junior Ranks Mess, WOs'and Sgts' Accommodation/Mess and Officers’ Accommodation/Mess facilities. Also available is a gym/sports hall, outdoor football pitch, rugby pitch, astro turf pitch, medical centre, training wing and is the home of RHQ, 12 HQ Sqn RE, 9 Para Sqn RE, 51 Para Sqn RE, 61 Fd Sqn EOD (part of 33 Engineer Regt based in Wimbish) and 23 Eng Regt REME Wksp.   The Barnsdale Community Centre is home to the following offices:  Unit Welfare Officer and SNCO Unit Welfare Officer, Woodbridge HIVE Information Centre, Station Staff Officer, Station Staff Officer's Chief Clerk and the Community Development Worker.  The community centre also houses Poppies Coffee Lounge, Thrift Shop, the Prayer Room and various children's activities.  For further information and opening times, please contact the HIVE.