ROC Post up north
Nick Catford
Cumbria 27th May I decided to stay in the area to visit all the outstanding
ROC sites in the North of England. A total of 57 posts were visited in 5
days covering Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, Durham & Yorkshire.
Details of what was found is listed below in the order they were visited.
Total mileage from Kent was 1615.
Nick
YORKSHIRE
Name: KEITHLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE03664237
Date opened: May 1962
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound on the north side of Black Hill Lane
Description: OPEN The wooden fencing lies in a pile nearby and there is also
a disused telegraph pole. Concrete steps lead up the mound. All surface
features remain intact. At present the hatch is open but it has, in the
past,
been secured with a stout hinged iron bar which has now been cut through.
Internally there is much remaining including 2 chairs, the cupboard a non-
standard long table and some wooden shelving. Other items are a long 360
degree panoramic photograph of the surrounding area taken from the post. 2
cluster maps, broom, Jerry can, fire blanket in its box, rope, net, 4 pairs
of Wellington Boots, dustpan/brush and cleaning materials.
Remaining surface buildings: A basic aircraft post consisting of railings
stands at the south east corner of the mound. The upright poles are leaning
over and the horizontal poles are lying on the ground.
Date of visit: 26.5.2000
Name: COWLING
OS Grid Ref: SD98594289
Date opened: June 1963
Date closed: October 1968
Location: In the north west corner of a field just south of the footpath
running along Earl Crag. 75 yards south east from monument and 300 yards
north of Buck Stone Lane
Description: SEALED All surface features apart from the BPI pipe are in
place but the ventilation shaft is reduced to below the level of the louvre
holes and the remaining air shaft has been filled with concrete. The shaft
has been capped with concrete but this capping has fallen away and lies in
the grass with the hatch fixed to it. The shaft has now been recapped
but their is a hole in the cap revealing that the shaft is also infilled
with rubble. The adjacent ventilation shaft is also reduced to below the
level of the ventilation louvre holes. The step is detached.
Remaining surface buildings: Four concrete blocks in the grass nearby are
the bases for the legs of an Orlit B aircraft post.
Date of visit: 26.5.2000
Name: BEWERLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE05975223
Date opened: June 1963
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Just south of trig. station on a hilltop, 300 yards north of
Chelker Reservoir.
Description: DEMOLISHED The only evidence of the post is a line of telegraph
poles that passes over the hill to serve a nearby farm. One of the poles
stands on the site of the post and two pairs of wires come down the post.
One pair goes into the ground and would have served the underground post.The
other pair is cut off a few feet above the ground and would have served the
aircraft post.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 26.5.2000
Name: DARLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE21795871
Date opened: May 1960
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On Cinder Hill 200 yards north west from a bend in Back Road.
Description: OPEN Two sides of the compound fencing including the gate are
still in place.
The post has been excavated from the ventilation shaft end making it
possible to walk in although the bottom section has now been crudely bricked
up, presumably to stop sheep walking in. The soil cover over the roof of the
monitoring room has been removed and the BPI pipe has gone but the FSM pipe
still exists. The ventilation shaft was demolished during this
excavation although the top lies in the undergrowth nearby along with the
hatch. The access shaft is now covered with steel sheeting that can be
lifted off. The shaft below it is open. Internally the post is flooded to a
depth of 15 inches with some items remaining including the table, shelf,
cupboard, chair, spade, bucket, wiring, BT connection boxes and two lights.
Other items including the 'tele-talk' have been recovered.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 26.5.2000
Name: GREENHOW HILL
OS Grid Ref: SE124638
Date opened: June 1962
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Close to trig. station on Greenhow Hill. The site is now within
the
Coldstones Quarry.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. The post, and trig. station
have either been quarried away or have been buried under quarry waste.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 26.5.2000
Name: MIDDLESMOOR
OS Grid Ref: SE08557534
Date opened: December 1959
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in an 'L' shaped compound at the end of a long line
of telegraph poles 200 yards north east of In Moor Lane (undrivable farm
track/bridleway) and one mile north west from the end of the road in
Middlesmoor village.
Description: LOCKED Compass bearings are painted on the compound fencing.
All surface features are intact and in good condition as is the white and
black (pipes, louvres and hatch) paint. This was one of 6 posts containing
seismograph equipment (the others being Barham (Kent), South Creake
(Norfolk), Lampeter (Cardiganshire), Llanuwchllyn (Merionethshire) and St.
Breward (Cornwall). When questioned about these seismic stations in 1994 the
public relations officer at AWE Aldermaston said "These form a part of the
Ministry of Defence network of seismic stations used in connection with
nuclear test ban verification. We have 6 seismic stations at former ROC
sites. The use of the present tense would suggest that these stations were
still operational. When inspected in 1994 the post at Barham (Kent) was
empty and
open although it is now locked. When the South Creake Post (Norfolk) was
inspected in
1998 the seismic equipment and batteries were still there and operating. A
local farmer said the post is still visited by government officials every
couple of years adding that they stay in the village for two days.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 26.5.2000
Name: SAWLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE23756790
Date opened: November 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the south side of B 62365
Description: OPEN The low mound has been removed leaving the access shaft
standing on an extra 2 feet of concrete. Both pipes and the ventilation
shaft have gone leaving only the access shaft with its adjacent ventilation
shaft still standing. The shaft still retains its wooden louvres and some
green paint. The hatch is open and won't close properly. Internally the post
is flooded to a depth of five feet.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 26.5.200
CUMBERLAND
Name: ARMATHWAITE
OS Grid Ref: NY48614626
Date opened: October 1965
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a low mound in the north west corner of a field on a hilltop.
80 yards north east of farm track/bridleway running south east from
Aiketgate village.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain in place although the top of
the ventilation shaft and all the ventilation louvres are missing. The hatch
is also missing and the top of the access shaft has been neatly cut down by
8". Internally there is 1" of water on the floor with only the shelf,
brackets for the instrument table, GPO connection boxes and some wiring
remaining. Unusually for an early closure the timer is also still in place
just inside the monitoring room door.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: CARLISLE
OS Grid Ref: NY38375920
Date opened: January 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: Formerly on the east side of a road within the Carlisle RAF
Maintenance Unit.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. The area has now been
redeveloped with new roads and industrial units as the Kingstown Industrial
Estate and the site of the post has been lost.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: ALLONBY
OS Grid Ref: NY08594298
Date opened: May 1960
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in the south west corner of a field 80 yards north
of an
unnamed minor road running due east out of Allonby.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact although the green
paint is flaking badly and the top of the ventilation shaft lies on the
ground. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a master
post.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: COCKERMOUTH
OS Grid Ref: NY11983281
Date opened: May 1960
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a low mound in the south west corner of a field on the east
side of an unnamed minor road.
Description: DEMOLISHED The only evidence of the post is the mound with the
FSM pipe cut off at ground level and one side of the compound fencing.
Looking down the FSM pipe the monitoring room below is still clear with some
water on the floor. When inspected in the early 1980's the post was intact
and open. Twin bunks and a single bed (dismantled), cupboard, table, shelf,
light, wiring and GPO connection boxes remained in place. It is assumed all
those items are still there below ground.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: WORKINGTON
OS Grid Ref: NY01052961
Date opened: November 1962
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound on the south side of a field boundary 40 yards west
of Workington Road at its junction with Yearl Rise.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain in place with the grey paint
flaking badly. New padlocks have been fitted since closure.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: WHITEHAVEN
OS Grid Ref: NX98611888
Date opened: April 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On the south side of a public footpath running east - west between
two access roads, 300 yards north of Harras Road.
Description: DEMOLISHED The only evidence of the post is a slightly raised
are of disturbed ground on the south side of the field boundary wall. There
is an old style over the wall.
Remaining surface buildings: One square concrete block on the ground is
probably the base of one leg of an Orlit B aircraft post.
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: SEASCALE
OS Grid Ref: NY03590173
Date opened: January 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the north east side of the junction of 2 footpaths, south of
trig station and on the west side of Seascale Golf Course.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact but the mound has been
removed leaving the ventilation shaft standing on 3 courses of bricks and
the
FSM pipe on a concrete plinth. All the ventilation louvres are missing as is
the hatch and the step is detached. At some point (probably after closure) a
new non-standard hatch has been fitted but this has now gone with only the
frame remaining. The access and ventilation shafts still retain some green
paint.
Internally the twin bunks, single bed and cupboard remain. The table is
detached as is the monitoring room door. The toilet door is broken and the
post is strewn with rubbish including a golf ball! Some wiring and GPO boxes
remain together with one ventilation louvre and the original hatch.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: ESKDALE
OS Grid Ref: SD13520011
Date opened: October 1965
Date closed: September 1991
Location: Valley floor location. On a low mound in a square compound
straddling field boundary, 50 yards south of un-named minor road running
through Eskdale Green.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the green paint. The step is detached and the hatch is very rusty. There is
a small wooden box screwed to the side of the ventilation shaft with a short
length of cable protruding from the bottom. Its purpose is unknown. The
hatch is locked.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: BOOTLE
OS Grid Ref: SD10448927
Date opened: October 1965
Date closed: October 1968
Location: In the north east corner of a field on the west side of A595
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with some green paint
remaining but the ventilation louvres have gone. The step is detached and
the
hatch is open. Internally twin bunks and a single bed, instrument table and
cupboard remain in place but the shelf is detached. Other items include 1
ventilation louvre, siren box, GPO connection boxes, wiring, 13 amp socket
for battery, BPI mount (detached) and the large splint. There is some
graffiti and smoke & fire damage to the walls with burnt remains of two
mattresses on the bed. .
Remaining surface buildings: A brick aircraft post on brick stilts stands
alongside. It is approximately 8' X 5' with a 5' X 5' open section with much
of the walls missing, this leads into a 3' X 5' crew room with a corrugated
metal roof. It has two wooden bench seats. There is a little wiring still in
place. The wooden steps up to the open doorway into the observation room are
lying in the grass.
Date of visit: 28.5.2000
Name: MILLOM
OS Grid Ref: SD175792
Date opened: April 1964
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On top of a former mine dump on the east side of an un-named minor
road near a 'T' junction.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: The 1941 aircraft post still stands at
SD179783. It consists of an old stone tower (perhaps an old lighthouse or
beacon) which has a concrete extension on the top around the observation
platform. There is a rusty iron walkway around the outside of the tower
(also a WW2 ROC addition)
close to the top and an opening in the concrete wall looking out across the
Irish Sea, Inside the original stone steps are intact but the concrete
observation platform appears to have fallen away. The gate to the tower is
locked.
Future actions: CONFIRM POSITION IS CORRECT & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Date of visit: 28.05.2000
YORKSHIRE
Name: BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS
OS Grid Ref: SD21878892
Date opened: October 1965
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in small rectangular compound on hilltop.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with bad flaking of
the green paint. A dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a master
post. A line of telegraph poles ends part way up the hillside.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 29.5.2000
Name: FLOOKBURGH
OS Grid Ref: SD36787519
Date opened: June 1965
Date closed: September 1991
Location: In an overgrown rectangular compound on the east side of Moor Lane
at the south end of a caravan site.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with the green paint
flaking badly. A green painted and capped pipe protrudes 8" out of the
ground close to the ventilation shaft, its purpose is unknown. A dome on the
ventilation shaft indicates this was a master post. The post is apparently
owned by a cellphone company who have been refused permission to develop the
site.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 29.5.2000
Name: BACKBARROW
OS Grid Ref: SD35868414
Date opened: June 1965
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the west side of an un-named minor road at the top of a steep
hill.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. There is a compound containing
a cellphone mast close to the position. The radio equipment is housed in a
fairly old looking brick building. The post and an Orlit B were still
reported
as being in place 5 years ago so it is unclear if this is the correct
position although it seems the most suitable.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM THIS POSITION IS CORRECT
Date of visit: 29.5.2000
WESTMORLAND
Name MILNTHORPE:
OS Grid Ref: SD48508050
Date opened: June 1965
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a rubble mound in a wooded rectangular compound on the west
side of a public footpath, 15 yards south of Haverback Tank (reservoir)
and 600 yards north of un-named minor road.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with much of the green
pain still in place. The FSM pipe stands on a concrete plinth and the
ventilation louvres are missing. The hatch is open. Internally twin bunks, a
single bed and the cupboard remain in place. The table is detached and
there is some wiring and a light switch. The floor is strewn with rubble and
there is some graffiti.
Remaining surface buildings A brick built aircraft post dating from 1938
stands in its own compound on the west side of Haverback Tank. A long line
of telegraph poles with the line still in place ends at the south east
corner of the compound. The post is of brick construction and is
approximately 10' X 7'. Six steps inside blast walls lead up to the raised
observation platform which is in a 7' X 7' room with a hexagonal opening in
the concrete roof. A metal column stands in the middle of the platform, this
would have been for mounting the post instrument. Two steps lead down into
the 3' X 7' crew room which has a sloping concrete roof.
Date of visit: 29.5.2000
Name: KENDAL
OS Grid Ref: SD52509164
Date opened: May 1965
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in a square compound on hilltop, the whole area is
surrounded by modern housing with difficult access.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with the green paint
in good condition. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was
a master post and the three guying points for the mast are clearly visible
in the grass around the post.
Remaining surface buildings: The concrete base of an aircraft post is still
visible nearby.
Date of visit: 29.5.2000
Name: WINDERMERE
OS Grid Ref: SD42659883 (Probable)
Date opened: December 1963
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Ob hilltop 150 yards south of Bannerrigg Farmhouse and 100 yards
west of A591
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM POSITION & NGR
Date of visit: 29.5.2000
Name: GRASMERE
OS Grid Ref: NY332108
Date opened: December 1964
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On east side of A591 close to a preserved AA box.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything apart from a single disused
telegraph pole beisde the AA box.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future Actions: THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE CORRECT POSITION. CONFIRM POSITION
& CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR.
Date of visit 29.5.2000:
NORTHUMBERLAND
Name: KIELDER
OS Grid Ref: NY63109186
Date opened: March 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in a square compound on a high point of land close
to the
edge of Bakethin Reservoir, 350 yards east of un-named minor road.
Description: LOCKED A single disused telegraph pole stands in the trees
nearby. All surface features remain intact with some flaking of the dark
green paint The hatch is locked but can be opened with a 'T' bar key.
Internally there is evidence of recent habitation with rubbish strewn over
the
floor. The twin bunks remain in place along with the table, cupboard,
wiring, lights, pots and pans, utensils and two ROC magazines. Much of the
surrounding land including the road has been flooded since the post closed
to form Bakethin Reservoir, a western extension to Kielder Water.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: HARBOTTLE
OS Grid Ref: NT93640575
Date opened: December 1960
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound within a square compound in the north west corner
of a field. 350 yards south of an un-named minor road and 250 yards west of
a footpath running south from that road.
Description: OPEN All surface features are intact with the grey paint
flaking badly. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a
master post. The hatch is open. Internally much remains although the post
is a bit of a mess. All the standard furniture is in place including twin
bunks with mattresses and blankets (some in packets), cupboard, table,
shelf, one swivel chair and three other chairs. Other artefacts include the
post
battery, part of the aerial pump, siren box, several coats and capes hanging
on the back of the door, visitors book, papers, mirror, dartboard, BPI
mount, small splint, teapot, key for removing aerial dome, washing bowl,
waste bin, gaskets, lights, wiring, net, rope, broom, pick axe, cold chisel,
hammer, rake, poster, and a protractor. The visitors book as been signed by
several people since closure, the most recent being in 1997.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: WHITTINGHAM
OS Grid Ref: NU07431146
Date opened: September 1962
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound on the north side of a public footpath, 100 yards
west of un-named dead end access road to houses.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact but the green paint
is flaking badly.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: HART HEUGH
OS Grid Ref: NT98542526
Date opened: February 1964
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On low hill top 50 yards south of an un-named minor road.
Description: DEMOLISHED The only evidence of the post is an area of slightly
disturbed ground where the post stood and a disused telegraph pole amongst
the trees a few yards to the west.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: CHATTON
OS Grid Ref: NU05522868 (probable)
Date opened: October 1960
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On low hilltop 15 yards east of field boundary 150 yards north of
un-named minor road and 250 yards west of Henlaw Farm.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future Actions: CONFIRM POSITION
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: MILLFIELD
OS Grid Ref: NT93043457
Date opened: October 1960
Date closed: September 1991
Location: In a square compound on Whitton Hill straddling field boundary,
250 yards west of A697.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact. The access shaft has
been rendered and painted khaki but the rendering is now falling off in
places. The hatch is locked, although the padlocks have been cut off it is
locked internally and cannot be opened with a 'T' bar key. There is a single
telegraph pole in trees close to a minor road to the south, from this point
the line goes underground.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: FENHAM HILL
OS Grid Ref: NU07594288
Date opened: January 1964
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the west side of a field boundary, 150 yards north of un-named
minor road leading to the Lindisfarne Causeway.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: BAMBURGH
OS Grid Ref: NU16573496
Date opened: November 1963
Date closed: September 1991
Location: At the end of a line of telegraph poles, on a mound on a high
point on
east side of Bamburgh Golf course, 60 yards north of B1342.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact but the green paint
is flaking badly. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a
master post. The hatch is locked, the original padlocks have been cut off
but it is secured with a stout iron bar padlocked in place.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: EMBLETON
OS Grid Ref: NU22642244
Date opened: January 1964
Date closed: September 1991
Location: 120 yards south of a public footpath and 300 yards west of Station
Road
Description: OPEN The pipes and the ventilation shaft has been demolished.
The access shaft is damaged with the hatch missing with the adjacent
ventilation shaft reduced virtually to ground level. Although the shaft is
open it is filled with rubble to within three feet of the top.
Remaining surface buildings: On a mound a few yards to the east is the
concrete base of an aircraft post.
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: LONGHOUGHTON
OS Grid Ref: NU25881553 (Probable)
Date opened: October 1962
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the south side of un-named private road to Low Stead Links.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future Actions: CONFIRM POSITION
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: SHILBOTTLE
OS Grid Ref: NU191081
Date opened: February 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: Close to cellphone site on the west side of un-named minor road
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: ROTHBURY
OS Grid Ref: NZ06669907 (probable)
Date opened: September 1963
Date closed: October 1968
Location: South of the junction of B6342 and um-named minor road.
Description: DEMOLISHED The only possible evidence of the post is one side
of the compound fencing with a gate.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION & NGR
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: RED ROW
OS Grid Ref: NU270004
Date opened: February 1961
Date closed: October 1968
Location: In Druridge Bay Country Park
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. The area around the post has
been landscaped with everything including roads swept away to form the
country park. The site of the post has been completely lost.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 30.5.2000
Name: STANNINGTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ21248012
Date opened: April 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a mound in an irregularly shaped compound on the west side of a
truncated arm of the old A1 alignment.
Description: LOCKED The compound is at the top of a bank with steps up from
the road leading to a locked gate. There are two further sets of two steps
up the mound from within the compound. All surface features remain intact
but the top of the access shaft was rebuilt (1989) and a new, larger, hatch
(Torlift) fitted. (Along with many other posts along the A1 corridor). There
is some flaking of the beige paint. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft
indicates this was a master post. The hatch is locked and a security plug
fitted so it can only be opened with a Torlift key. Internally much remains
although the post is in a mess. The following furniture is still in place:
table, shelf, cupboard, to original folding canvas chairs, one other chair
and a stool. Other artefacts include 2 mistresses, 8 Jerry cans full of
petrol, four pairs of Wellington boots, tele-talk, WB1401 carrier receiver
with WB1410 filter unit, pump handle (for pump up aerial), poster, papers,
pots and pans, utensils, BPI and FSM mounts, cape, copper earth straps,
coax, BT connection boxes, wiring, spare gaskets for FSM dome, two battery
boxes, waste bin, cans of paint, bucket, ash tray (full), battery switching
box, broom, spade, pick axe, dustpan/brush, bible, teapot, box of printing
out paper, dome handle, mirror, 3 pillows, map of posts, small splint and
cutlery.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 3.4.1999 and 31.5.2000
Name: KENTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ21496748
Date opened: February 1962
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a low mound in the north west corner of a large secure site
formerly housing RAF Blakelaw/HQ 13 Group Fighter Command underground
operations room. There is a telephone exchange on the west side and a pub,
the Crofters Lodge, on the north side. The post can be seen from the pub car
park. The site now houses government offices.
Description: OPEN The post is amongst low trees. All surface features are
intact including the ventilation louvres. There is an iron bar across the
hatch securing it but the screws have now pulled out. The hatch is open.
Internally the post is clean and dry. The table, shelf and cupboard remain
in place together with a GPO connection box, some papers, some wiring and a
large home made cardboard dial.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 7.8.1999 and 31.5.2000
DURHAM
Name: SPRINGWELL
OS Grid Ref: NZ28865870 (probable)
Date opened: May 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: The most likely position is a high point of land 150 yards west of
B1288, the site is occupied by a clay shooting club.
Description: There is a mound in the centre of the site with a bunker
underneath it used by the gun club as a store. There is a door flush with
the ground on the side of
the mound. It seems likely that an entrance has been made into one end of
the monitoring room. No surface features remain.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION & NGR
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: WHITBURN
OS Grid Ref: NZ40676264
Date opened: June 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Lindsay Court, north of Windmill.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.The area has been redeveloped
and the site of the post lost under new housing (Lindsay Court).
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: HASTINGS HILL
OS Grid Ref: NZ352544
Date opened: June 1959
Date closed: September 1991
Location: Close to cellphone site on Hastings Hill Farm, 200 yards east of
trig. station.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: EASINGTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ42974684
Date opened: April 1962
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound at the end of a line of telegraph poles on the east
side of farm track to a tower on Kinley Hill, 400 yards south of new road to
industrial estate and half a mile along farm track east from Cold Hesledon
Rotor Station.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact although the top of the
access shaft is damaged the hatch is missing and the khaki paint is flaking
badly. The ladder is detached and leaning against the opposite wall.
Internally the post is fire damaged and strewn with rubble. The shelf and
two chairs are the only remaining items of furniture.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: HORDEN
OS Grid Ref: NZ45483900 (probable)
Date opened: April 1962
Date closed: October 1868
Location: On the east side of a public footpath, 60 yards south of B1281
Description: DEMOLISHED There is a little old fencing that could be part of
the compound.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: HARTLEPOOL
OS Grid Ref: NZ48533368
Date opened: May 1962
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On the south side of a triangle of land west of the junction of
Hart Lane and Throston Grange Lane.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: SEATON CAREW
OS Grid Ref: NZ52695855
Date opened: August 1960
Date closed: October 1968
Location: 100 yards east of a public footpath and 200 yards east of A178
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything
Remaining surface buildings: The concrete base of an aircraft post still
exists on a hummocky area of ground nearby.
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: WOLVISTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ463264
Date opened: June 1960
Date closed: October 1968
Location: South side of A689
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: SEDGEFIELD
OS Grid Ref: NZ36473017
Date opened: July 1960
Date closed: September 1991
Location: In the north east corner of a field between Howle Hope Farm &
Ryall Farm, 500 yards north of Butterwick Road.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. The site is owned by
Millennium Communication who have built a cellphone repeater on the site.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: SHERBURN HILL
OS Grid Ref: NZ33264179
Date opened: January 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Beside public footpath 250 yards south of B1283
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 31.5.2000
Name: EGGLESCLIFFE
OS Grid Ref: NZ436121
Date opened: December 1964
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Formerly north of the junction of the access road to Leven House
Farm and A1044.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. The site has been completely
redeveloped with new roads and housing. The line of the A1044 is now a grass
footpath. The site of the post has been lost.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
YORKSHIRE
Name: GREAT AYTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ54351215
Date opened: November 1965
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in a square compound on a narrow area of land
between A172 and an un-named minor road.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the green paint. A dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a master
post. The hatch is locked but can be opened with a T-Bar key. Internally the
post is very damp with most papers soaking wet and unreadable and there is
4" of
water on the floor. Many items remain however including the table, shelf,
cupboard, two mattresses, broom, pick axe, bucket, dustpan, siren box, first
aid box (complete), battery switching box, BPI mount, light, thermometer,
copper earth straps, thermometer, coax, pots & pans, utensils, chair,
teapot, ear defenders, wiring, notice board, 2 pairs of Wellington boots,
practice maroon launcher, cape, waterproof jacket, battery box and a sign
which reads 'HQ 23 Group Durham ODV5 64819'.
Remaining surface buildings: There is a basic aircraft post consisting of
railings on the grass in the north east corner of the compound.
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: ESTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ562174
Date opened: September 1963
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On Eston Moor
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM EXACT POSITION & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: REDCAR
OS Grid Ref: NZ58912518
Date opened: April 1959
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in a high fenced secure rectangular compound on the
south side of Cleveland Golf Course sandwiched between the golf course and a
horse riding paddock. 100 yards north of York Road.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the green paint. The top of the access shaft has been rebuilt (1989) and a
new larger hatch (Torlift) fitted. The hatch and the gate to the compound
are
locked.
Remaining surface buildings: A smaller compound 30 yards to the west might
have housed the aircraft post.
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: SALTBURN
OS Grid Ref: NZ65392042
Date opened: June 1960
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the north side of Hob Hill Lane (B1268).
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: LOFTUS
OS Grid Ref: NZ72091980
Date opened: June 1962
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On low mound on the cliff top on the south side of a field
boundary.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with some green paint
remaining. All the ventilation louvres and the hatch have gone. Although the
shaft is open it is filled with sand and gravel to within two feet of the
top.
Remaining surface buildings: A dismantled Orlit A post lies nearby. 20 yards
to the south is a metal pole sticking out of the ground, four feet high with
a circular platform on the top. This may be part of an earlier aircraft
post.
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: CASTLETON
OS Grid Ref: NZ68080750
Date opened: April 1959
Date closed: September 1991
Location: In a large rectangular compound at the end of a line of two
telegraph poles, 50 yards west of an un-named minor road.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with the green paint
flaking badly. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a
master post. The three aerial guying points are visible in the grass. The
hatch is open. Internally he table, shelf and cupboard remain in place
together with BPI mount, battery switching box, coax, some papers and
notices on the walls, two lights, wiring, notice board, small splint, dome
key, wooden crate, FSM mount, wooden shelf in the monitoring room and a
wooden shelf in the toilet. There is also a circular dial marked with
compass bearings the same size and shape as the base of the Micklethwait
aircraft instrument but a home made version.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: WHITBY
OS Grid Ref: NZ905113
Date opened: November 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Probably close to the coastguard lookout on the cliff top on the
north side of Abbey Lane - close to Whitby Abbey.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Future actions: CONFIRM POSITION & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Name: ROBIN HOODS BAY
OS Grid Ref: NZ94390620
Date opened: January 1961
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the west side of a field boundary, 80 yards north of High Lane.
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything. After closure the post was
blown up at the request of the Strickland Family, the mound was flattened
and the field returned to cultivation.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 1.6.2000
Alan J. Wylie
> Name: KEITHLEY OS Grid Ref: SE03664237
Spelled Keighley, pronounced Keithley
^^
--
Alan J. Wylie http://www.glaramara.freeserve.co.uk
Build a system that even an idiot can use,
and only an idiot will want to use it
Dougie O'Hara
Nick Catford <ni...@swanley1.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8hjo3o$20g$1...@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Name: STANNINGTON
> OS Grid Ref: NZ21248012
> Date opened: April 1961
>Other artefacts include 2 mistresses,
Ideal for those long lonely night exercises!!
Thanks for another great posting Nick.
Dougie
Leslie Hayward
How that man has the energy to manage the travel I can not fathom.
I look forward to publication of "The Compleat traveller's guide to
Subterranea UK" - a volume of some thickness I imagine!
Les.
Paul
Nick Catford wrote in message <8hjo3o$20g$1...@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk>...
>Following an interesting trip into one of the lead mines at Nenthead in
>Cumbria 27th May I decided to stay in the area to visit all the outstanding
>ROC sites in the North of England. A total of 57 posts were visited in 5
>days covering Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, Durham & Yorkshire.
>Details of what was found is listed below in the order they were visited.
>Total mileage from Kent was 1615.
>
>>table, shelf, cupboard, to original folding canvas chairs, one other chair
>and a stool. Other artefacts include 2 mistresses, 8 Jerry cans full of
>petrol, four pairs of Wellington boots, tele-talk, WB1401 carrier receiver
>with WB1410 filter unit, pump handle (for pump up aerial), poster, papers,
2 mistresses eh! I should have joined the ROC!!!
Dave Liquorice
>> Following an interesting trip into one of the lead mines at Nenthead in
>> Cumbria 27th May ...
How did that trip go? BTW Some poor sod had to pulled out of one of the
mines over the weekend. Cave and Mountain Resuce teams took 8hrs to get him
out. I've only heard a brief radio report, it appears it was a proper
potholing group not just someone wandering in. I will get the local (weekly)
newspaper and see what that has to say.
> Another excellent posting, Nick.
I'll have to find out why my local newsserver doesn't like it. I have yet to
read it. B-(
--
Cheers new...@nexus.demon.co.uk
Dave. Remove "spam" for valid email.