Rock stars and religious rally in protests at base

The air base is seen as a clear indication of the UK’s apparent subservience to the US, with its officials reporting to the Commanders in Chief of both nations. The radar station’s motto of Vigilamus translates as “we are watching” – a sentiment that many feel has a chilling under-current.

Senior officers at RAF Fylingdales are at pains to point out that while there are undoubtedly close ties to the US, the base remains a British-run and manned site.

But staunch critics have included the singer of Radiohead, Thom Yorke, who led a demonstration at the base eight years ago. He claimed the Star Wars programme to defend the US from missile attacks, to which RAF Fylingdales is intrinsically linked, is an “absolutely terrifying legacy”.

Less high-profile – but equally outspoken – campaigners include a group of Quakers who have regularly gathered outside the base’s main gate on the A169 for the last decade. Up to 15 worshippers travel from as far afield as York and Teesside to attend services on the first Saturday of every other month.

Gordon Woodroffe, a retired chemist who lives with his wife, Lorna, in Sinnington, near York, has attended the worship meetings since they were instigated on a regular basis in 2001. Mr Woodroffe, 79, maintained the services are not actual demonstrations, but are part of the Quakers’ outreach work.

However, he remains a firm opponent of RAF Fylingdales. Initial services were blighted by the intervention of the Ministry of Defence police at the base, but there has a gradual acceptance of the Quakers’ wish to hold the meetings.

Mr Woodroffe claimed RAF Fylingdales is a symbol of global paranoia which is undermining any possibility of achieving world peace. He added: “When something is wrong in the world, the Quaker belief is that we should not turn away from it, which is why we hold the outreach at Fylingdales.

“To run a place like this is going to have a knock-on effect for other countries. It was created during the Cold War, which is an era that is long gone. But it still remains as a beacon of the threat that the world faces.

“One of the big testimonies of the Quakers is for peace. With RAF Fylingdales still here, I do believe this is difficult to achieve.”

The services are held in silence, but the tranquillity has been broken by motorists sounding their vehicles’ horns in support – or shouting abuse at the gathered Quakers. Mr Woodroffe said: “We have had people driving past and shouting at us to get a life. But for the most part people are supportive, and we will continue for as long as we are able to.”