Consider charming Seletar Airbase, Jalan Kayu for Heritage Site status

There is history in the air
Letter from George Pasqual, Today Online 6 Oct 08;

I REFER to “From pub crawls to children’s books” (Sept 30). The National Heritage Board, in its plan to spend $8 million on heritage projects, should consider including the development of the former Seletar Airbase area and the adjacent Jalan Kayu precinct.

The $60-million plan of the Economic Development Board and the Jurong Town Corporation to upgrade Seletar Airport to an Aero Space Park to meet the growth of the aerospace industry will be completed by 2018. This area, the size of 100 football fields, will be home to about 100 aerospace companies.

It has a tranquil country charm and luxuriant greenery with abundant bird life, quaint low-slung black and white homes,colonial buildings and the historical Royal Air Force base.

The first Singapore British naval and air bases were in Seletar. Starting in 1927, mangrove swamps were filled in, while rubber trees and some hills were completed in the early 1930s, it was the site of the first Royal Air Force base east of India and Singapore’s first civilian airport.

It saw the arrival of famous personalities including the aviatrix Amy Johnson and the famous British actor-director Noel Coward, and saw the development of the first commercial airmail and passenger services in Singapore and Malaya.

With this proud history, this area should be designated a Heritage Site.

The guardhouse at the entrance to the airbase as well as an adjacent building should be refurbished and preserved. The building, with its colonial military facade, could be turned into a mini-museum to house airbase memorabilia.

Nearby Jalan Kayu “village town” — once upon a time noted for its “papa and mama” shops, eateries serving fish and chips and other Western cuisine, a few bars and its famed roti prata — was the favourite haunt of the hundreds of British families living in the airbase and in the surrounds of Seletar Hills.

Pasar malams were a popular, frequent event in the area. Every night, throngs of British residents revelled in its countryattractions and the local and foreign fare.

The heritage of the airbase and Jalan Kayu must not be lost to future generations.

Extend conservation to Seletar, Jalan Kayu area
Letter from George Pasqual, Straits Times Forum 8 Oct 08;

I REFER to last Saturday's report 'Twelve iconic structures'. It is good news to read that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is extending its conservation efforts beyond buildings to include structures, places and landmarks that are reminders of our past. It is hoped that other organisations will take its cue.

The National Heritage Board, as part of its plan to expend $8 million on heritage projects, should consider including the development of the former Seletar Airbase area and the adjacent Jalan Kayu precinct as one of its priorities.

The $60 million master plan of the Economic Development Board and JTC Corporation to upgrade Seletar Airport to an aerospace park will be completed by 2018. It will be the size of 100 football fields, home to aerospace companies.

The area currently has a tranquil country charm with abundant bird life, quaint black-and-white homes and a historical military past. The first Singapore British naval and air bases were in Seletar. Starting from 1927, mangrove swamps were filled in, rubber trees cut down and some hills removed. The work was completed in the early 1930s and the area became the first Royal Air Force base east of India and the first civilian airport in Singapore. It welcomed famous personalities like aviator Amy Johnson and British actor-director Noel Coward, and saw the development of the first commercial airmail and passenger services in Singapore and Malaya.

With such a proud history, it is hoped that this area will be designated a heritage site.

There is a guard house at the entrance to the airbase and an adjacent administration building which should be refurbished and preserved. The building with its colonial military fa�ade could be turned into a mini museum to house memorabilia of the airbase.

Nearby 'village town' Jalan Kayu, once noted for its papa and mama shops, eateries serving delicious fish and chips and other western cuisine, a few bars and its famed roti prata, was the favourite haunt of the hundreds of British families living in the airbase and in the surrounds of Seletar Hills. Pasar Malams were also a popular frequent event in Jalan Kayu.

The heritage of the airbase and Jalan Kayu must not be lost to future generations. By designating it a heritage site - and with further enrichment by the relevant authorities - its rich colourful history could be preserved for posterity.