THERE exists a vast tract of land, many hundred acres, that was once enjoyed as a place of recreation by people from the Camborne, Redruth and Porthtowan areas. Taken from the old Cornish language its name translates to Swallow Valley, but is better known as Nancekuke.

One day in the summer of 1939, with World War II casting its ever dark shadow across Europe, days of picnics, walking and enjoying the fresh air along the cliffs and Nancekuke Common came to an abrupt end.

The late Ernest Landry of Factory Farm recalls in his book Nancekuke Memories: "A meeting was called by the Minister of State to be attended by those that lived and worked the land in the area."

We were told: "There is a war on and we must make sacrifices. After the war is over then we can have our land back."

Nancekuke had a large community with its own school where today Mr and Mrs Carveth have made it their home. It also had a pub named The Keg. Apart from farming and the growing of the famous Nancekuke Turnip, tin streams and quarries were worked. A number of the elderly that lost their homes were housed in the Barncoose Workhouse.

Within days of being addressed by the Government spokesman, as Ewart Matthews of Carharrack recalls, the contractors moved in to the site. Ewart's job was to take down the stone hedges and clear the ground, which materials he drove away in a horse and cart. It was not long before young Ewart was on the move to join the war as a young soldier.

Before long, RAF Portreath was built here. Squadron Spitfires were based on the site along with planes of the United States Airforce, the Free Polish and Free French.

Many brave and selfless young men flew from there in our defence, some 64 years ago. We can never repay the debt, we owe them or ever forget them.

RAF Portreath closed in 1945.

It was then that Mr Landry and many of his neighbours' families, like the Mills, Mays, Mewtons, Lawreys, Rosveres, and Tonkins, thought they could return to their native soil.

Their hopes were to be dashed just as ships had been for generations on the cruel rocks below in Sally's Cove.

Ernest Landry had been able to remain at Factory Farm during the war. He was told that the Ministry of Supply would move into the area and add more acreage to the aerodrome including 55 acres from Factory Farm.

Almost overnight, the late Ivan Rule and teams of men fenced in the aerodrome and no-one was allowed to enter the area again.

This heralded a very sinister period in the history of Nancekuke. It was the time of the Cold War. It was here, in conjunction with Porton Down, that a major nerve gas plant was set up. To this day, stories of what went on behind the wire are many and varied.

In due course, the plant closed and once again reverted to RAF Portreath with the strategic radar operations.

Today, the area is very peaceful with skylarks calling on high.

Just like the late Ernest Landry and his old friend, I wonder when will Swallow Valley, or if you prefer, Nancekuke, be returned to its original use. When will people be able to roam where generations of fellow Cornish did?

D'Arcy "Eddie" Richards, Shute Hill, Carharrack