We recently opened a new exhibition at Scarborough Library showcasing previously secret artefacts which have been part of its mission to keep the country safe.
GCHQ has loaned a selection of historic artefacts to the library to give visitors a glimpse at the agency’s innovative historic work and where Departmental Historian David Abrutat brought the displays to life with a talk to celebrate its opening. Artefacts on display included German coding disks, a radio used to train intercept operators, and historic decrypted wartime messages. Visitors were also able to go back in time and try their hand at Morse code and breaking the famous Enigma code on simulators.
Young people were invited to take part in a spy trail around the library, learning about encryption and cyphers as they go in a Code Breaker Challenge. With Scarborough Science and Engineering Week just around the corner on 12-14 October, GCHQ wants to help inspire an interest in STEM, and encourage more young people to put their innovative thinking skills to the test.
GCHQ Historian David Abrutat, originally from Scarborough, said:
This exhibition takes you behind the scenes at GCHQ’s site in Scarborough, telling the fascinating story of how signals intelligence has evolved and features the stories of the people who worked there, past and present. Technology continues to evolve, and we’re pioneering a new kind of security for our increasingly complex and interconnected world in response. But our goal has always been the same; to ensure the UK’s people, businesses and interests remain safe and secure. Scarborough has historically always been a core part of this mission, and we hope this comes across in the exhibition.
GCHQ Officer in Charge (OIC) at Scarborough, Sheila, said:
Scarborough is the longest continuously-serving site for signals intelligence in the world. From providing timely intelligence to US President Kennedy at the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis, to the modern day efforts against terrorism and serious crime, the work that goes on at Scarborough has been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of our national security. We have such deep history here, and a really close relationship with our community so I am proud to be able to share more of our history like this. There’s a lot we can’t share, but come and see what we can.
The library will be running various activities related to the exhibit throughout the year, and young people will even be able to upgrade their library card to a spy style card.
A further feature of the exhibit will be a summary of the history of GCHQ in Scarborough since 1914, which visitors can buy a copy of, with the profits going to Irton Moor Charities Fund. There will also be volunteers on hand with GCHQ knowledge and expertise, every Saturday (between 1100 and 1400)– answering questions about the artefacts and GCHQ’s history.
The exhibition is due to stay in situ for the foreseeable future, with artefacts and activities being regularly updated.
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