THE lovely corner of the Vale of Evesham on the Croome Estate near the church of the Lady on the Hill is steeped in history.

Westward from the church is a wonderful panoramic view of the Malvern Hills and in the foreground below are the rolling meadows and pastures of the Croome Estate, now beautifully landscaped by Capability Brown, but previously water meadows and swamps created by the converging waters of the Avon and Severn.

Much of what is seen today is the result of the efforts of Brown and his collaboration, even with the building of the church, with the sixth Earl of Coventry.

It was the ninth Earl, who lived to the age of 92 after succeeding to the title at the age of five, who became great friends with the Duke of Wellington and as a young boy the Earl and the Duke were often seen walking to the church on the hill on Sundays and after the service walking back through the grounds to the Great Mansion.

The ninth Earl's wife was the daughter of the Earl of Craven; they were married for 65 years, dying within days of each other. Worcestershire thought the world of them both.

"When WWII intervened," Mr Barnard said, "within yards of the church RAF Defford's sick quarters were built only a short distance from the airfield along the road from Marble Arch and near the turning to High Green. These buildings are still with us in quite good condition and I believe this unique collection of RAF WWII buildings are probably the complete example in existence today.

"The site consists of sick quarters for 18 beds, ambulance garage, small cookhouse, mortuary, sergeants' and orderlies quarters and picket post. Opposite was RAF Site No. 7 Officers' and Sergeants' sleeping quarters, nestling within a wood. The road to this site is full of wartime memories. This unique group of Second World War buildings is so worthy of preservation."

If Lancelot Brown was to return and walk round the old sick quarters, said Mr Barnard, he would say: "Yes, there are capabilities here, these buildings could be restored as a tribute to all the RAF personnel who passed this way during World War II, and for me yet another dream would come to pass as it was here that I had my first commission."

Mr Barnard said he was sure Brown would be pleased at the way the National Trust was restoring his landscape to his vision of 250 years ago.

The Avro Anson in Mr Barnard's 1944 sketch was on a low-level cross-country flight with members of Evesham ATC Squadron on a visual navigation test. "Our officer in charge was Flt Lt Frank Leatherdale DFC. I'm still in touch with him and many of the lads who were stationed at RAF Defford, all of whom would be absolutely thrilled if this unique group of buildings were restored to their former glory."