IRGON

What is IRGON

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IRGON (International Research Group Orford Ness) is a group of volunteers who are interested in the wide-ranging military trials that have taken place on Orford Ness for many years.

IRGON was formed by a number of Orford Ness volunteer rangers who wanted to make the public more aware of the historic significance of what took place there.

​IRGON now includes a wider group of people and organisations that are also keen to add to the knowledge of the many Orford Ness weapons trials and developments that occurred between 1915 and 1973, and to take advantage of the personal experiences of the, sadly diminishing, pool of Orford Ness Veterans.

Why international?

Our original name, Independent Research Group Orford Ness, was conceived to emphasise our independence from the National Trust. Time has moved on; we have built an excellent relationship with the National Trust and our research nets are being cast further afield. Not only does our membership comprise more than one nationality, but we have now established research collaborations in other countries. Besides some contacts in the United States of America with firsthand knowledge of Cold War topics relevant to Orford Ness, we have also begun to cooperate with historians and researchers in France and Germany. As our work progresses, we expect such collaboration to increase.

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IRGON’s researchers are unpaid volunteers who donate what time and skills they can offer. Specific knowledge of Orford Ness is not essential, although an interest in military or aviation history is a bonus. Digital presentation skills would also be welcomed.

We would be pleased to hear from those who are interested in helping record the UK’s defence developments on Orford Ness.

We can be reached via Contact Us in the top menu.

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