ROC survey resumes
Nick Catford
foot and mouth restrictions the ROC survey was put on hold for most of the
year. A large number of Scottish posts were visited as restriction there
were lifted mid year but very little was attempted south of the border. It
was therefore good to get back on track last weekend with two days in
Yorkshire and Durham. My thanks to Shawn Sanders for doing the driving and
to Sub Brit members Andy White and Nigel Knapton who joined us on Saturday.
Thanks also to Tim who was with us for the weekend. Despite the appalling
weather forecast for the weekend it was largely dry. 24 posts were visited
of which 20 were still intact and 10 could be entered. Full details below.
Nick Catford
30th April 2002
Yorkshire
Name: BARKSTON ASH
OS Grid Ref: SE486362
Date opened: December 1957
Date closed: October 1968
Location: Alongside Headwell Lane
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything remains
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Future actions: CONFIRM LOCATION, CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Name: BEDALE
OS Grid Ref: SE27118874
Date opened: April 1959
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a high mound in a large rectangular compound on a new housing
estate in Willow Drive
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the light green paint. The hatch is locked. There are two signs within the
compound which read ‘Ministry of Defence, Trespassers will be prosecuted,
Tip no rubbish’ The site has been acquired by a property developer for
£20,000.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: BRANDSBY
OS Grid Ref: SE57297205
Date opened: June 1964
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On the south side of an un-named minor road east of the access
drive to Zion Hill Farm.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact but the soil cover
has been removed down to the roof of the monitoring room leaving the two
shafts standing on 9 courses of bricks and the FSM pipe on a concrete
pillar. The BPI pipe has gone and the concrete apron around the access shaft
has been chipped away in places. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft
indicates this was a master post although the evidence inside the post
indicates it was no longer a master post by stand down. The hatch is locked
but can be opened with a T-bar key. Internally much remains including:
table, shelf, cupboard, rack of wooden shelves, two mattresses, cluster map,
BPI baffle plates, FSM gaskets, mess tins, light, BT junction boxes/wiring,
siren crate, cleaning materials, fire blanket box, crockery, dustpan/brush,
large splint, small splint, dome key, rope, chair and a stool.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: CAMBLESFORTH
OS Grid Ref: SE64892647
Date opened: October 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a mound on the east side of Camela Lane immediately south of
Camela Farm buildings.
Description: LOCKED Two sides of the compound fencing remain. All surface
features remain intact with the green paint flaking. A dome on the
ventilation shaft indicates this was a master post. The hatch is locked.
Internally the post is in good condition and is as it was left after stand
down. The owners of Camela Farm are keen that it should remain intact and
have let interested parties including local schools, view the inside of the
post. Much remains including the table, shelf, cupboard, WB1401 carrier
receiver and WB1410 filter unit, Tele-Talk, BT junction boxes and wiring,
various papers and forms including 3 post logs (dating back to 1969), 2
cluster maps, topographical 1” to 1 mile air chart (on wall), large notice
board with notices, battery switching box, one original folding canvas
chair, 4 plastic chairs, coax cable, copper earth straps, UKWMO
triangulation calculator, BT junction boxes/wiring, candle holder, fire
blanket in box, thermometer, broom, two sickles, dustpan/brush, kettle and a
mirror. An electric fire indicates that there may have been an unofficial
mains supply to the post.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: CAWOOD
OS Grid Ref: SE58053894
Date opened: May 1961
Date closed: After 1980 before 1991 (Probably 1982/3)
Location: On a mound on the east side of the B1222 at its junction with an
un-named minor road and the access drive to Mount Pleasant Farm
Description: LOCKED The post closed early because the walls cracked
internally, it was not replaced and is now completely flooded. All surface
features remain intact with some green paint remaining. The ventilation
shaft is partly buried. The post was open for some years but the hatch is
now locked with a padlock; the owner doesn’t know who locked it!
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: CHOP GATE
OS Grid Ref: SE55769990
Date opened: September 1963
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a ridge at the end of a line of telegraph poles 75 yards west
of a bridleway (Cold Moor Lane). 200 yards along bridleway from the junction
of Raisdale Road and B1257.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the green paint. The hatch is locked.
Remaining surface buildings: A stone built aircraft post stands nearby. It
is 12’ X 8’ with an 8’ X 8’ open section and a 4’ X 8’ crew room with a
sloping wooden roof. The building is in good condition with its wooden door
intact. A very large wooden hut stands nearby, it’s unclear if this had any
connection.
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: ESTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ55831769
Date opened: September 1963
Date closed: October 1968
Location: In a square high fenced compound on the south side of a bridleway
south east of Eston Reservoir
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with much green paint
remaining. The ventilation louvres and the hatch are missing. The shaft has
been capped with concrete but a hole has been broken through this allowing
access. The ladder is missing and access was gained using an electron caving
ladder. Internally the post is a little wet and retains its twin bunks GPO
junction box and wiring. There is rubble and rubbish (including a motorbike)
on the floor and some fire damage leaving the walls of the monitoring room
and shaft covered in soot. There is rubble at the bottom of the shaft and
several tree trunks in the shaft. Locally the bunker is known as ‘Nipper’s
Den’ and was allegedly the home to Nipper, a well known local tramp.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: HELMSLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE57428131
Date opened: May 1958
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a low mound on the edge of a new plantation on the north side
of A170
Description: SEALED All surface features remain intact although the
ventilation shaft is reduced to half its original height with the hoped
reinforcing rods visible. The access shaft has been capped with concrete. A
little green paint remains.
Remaining surface buildings: 50 yards to the north there is a concrete
plinth with a pipe and wire protruding from it. There are four small metal
hoops. This might be the remains of an aircraft post.
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: HINDERWELL
OS Grid Ref: NZ79311781
Date opened: June 1960
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On the east side of a field boundary by trig station, 250 yards
west of Rosedale Lane and 150 yards south west of a public footpath.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the khaki/green paint. The hatch is partly detached and open. Internally the
post is in good condition with much remaining including: table, shelf,
cupboard, twin bunks with mattresses, WB1401 carrier receiver and WB1410
filter unit, 3 X 1” OS maps (on wall), tool rack, Dexion table, Dexion shelf
unit, fire blanket in box, BT junction boxes/wiring, wooden chest of
drawers, 4 chairs, various papers and forms, BPI mount, notice board, Bible,
4 Jerry cans, shelf in toilet with cleaning materials and tins of paint,
dustpan, spade, post battery/box, large splint, small splint, ROC magazines,
T-pot, crockery, enamel bucket, spade, broom, mirror, stool, light, FSM
gaskets. There is also a notice which reads ‘RIP No. 61 Hinderwell C/Obs
Clive Baker, L/Obs, Margaret Meer, Obs. Stephanie Aukland, Obs. Ken
Fergusson, Obs. Mandy Fish, Obs. Fred Harrison, Obs. Ray Ward”. A line of
telegraph poles ends half way to the site.
Remaining surface buildings: The foundations of the aircraft post are
visible on a mound overlooking the underground post.
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: HUNMANBY
OS Grid Ref: TA06557878
Date opened:
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a mound in the garden of Spell House on the north side of White
Gate Hill opposite the entrance drive to North Wold Farm
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact and in good condition.
The wooden ventilation louvres are still in place. The hatch is open.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: KIRBY HILL
OS Grid Ref: SE37346960
Date opened: July 1958
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a slight mound in a square compound a 10 yards into an arable
field on the north side of B6265
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the light green paint. The hatch is locked.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: KIRBY MOORSIDE
OS Grid Ref: SE66779102
Date opened: May 1958
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a mound in a square compound on hilltop by private airstrip.
Through farm yard and 300 yards along farm track which starts close to the
junction of Boonhill Road and Highfield Lane
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with the beige paint
in good condition. The hatch is locked.
Remaining surface buildings: A wooden WW2 aircraft post still survives in a
very dilapidated condition in a square compound alongside. It consists of a
wooden building 10’ X 6’. There is a 6’ X 6’ open section with a circular
metal rim in the roof around the open section and a 4’ X 6’ crew room.
Alongside is a 10’ X 15’ wooden post hut with a hipped roof. This is also in
a very dilapidated condition. Inside there are twin wooden bunks and a floor
standing wooden cupboard. Surviving wooden building of this age are very
rare.
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: LEYBURN
OS Grid Ref: SE11949145
Date opened: June 1966
Date closed: October 1968
Location: In an ‘L’ compound on hilltop in the north west corner of a field.
200 yards east of A6108.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with some green paint
remaining. The concrete apron around the access shaft is cracked and the
ventilation louvres are missing. The hatch is open. Internally little
remains except the single bed with one end missing, GPO junction boxes and
wiring. There is rubble at the bottom of the shaft and the monitoring room
is flooded to a depth of 10”.
Remaining surface buildings: A two storey brick aircraft post stands nearby.
The external wooden steps for access to the upper storey are leaning against
the wall but no longer fixed in place. The upper level is divided into two
rooms, a 6’ X 6’ open section with the truncated tubular instrument mount
still in place. Two steps lead down to the 6’ X 4’ 6” crew room where there
is a circular hole in the floor for the flue from the fire in the room
below. The building is in good condition.
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: NORTHALLERTON
OS Grid Ref: SE38379124
Date opened: January 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound on the north side of a field boundary at the end of
a line of telegraph poles. 150 yards south of the track to Far End Farm an
150 yards west of Thirsk Road (A168).
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with the green paint
flaking. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft indicates this was a master
post. The hatch is locked. The telegraph poles and line have been recently
replaced.
Remaining surface buildings: A short section of railings in the south east
corner of the site are the remains of a basic aircraft post.
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: NORTH STAINLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE27037636
Date opened: November 1959
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound at the end of a line of telegraph poles. 100 yards
north of a sharp bend in Musterfield Lane on the west side of a field
boundary.
Description: OPEN The post was stripped of many artifacts in 1999 with some
items, including the metal ventilation louvres going to the preserved post
at Wykeham. At the time the farmer said he was going to demolish the post
but this hasn’t happened yet. Three sides of the compound fencing remain
intact. All surface features remain intact with bad flaking of the green
paint. A metal dome on the ventilation shaft and aerial guying points
indicate this was a master post. The hatch is open. Internally some
artifacts remain including the table, shelf, cupboard, chair, siren box, BPI
mount (detached), coax cable and copper earth straps. There is half an inch
of water on the floor.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: OSMOTHERLEY
OS Grid Ref: SE45409783
Date opened: April 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: In a square compound on Ruebury Hill. 150 yards north of Ruebury
Lane (unmade road).
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with much green main
remaining. The ventilation louvres are missing. Some of the wooden compound
fence posts survive. The hatch is open. Internally only the twin bunks and
single bed and the post battery in its box still remain. All the wooden post
furniture has been smashed up and is scattered around the monitoring room.
There is a superb view from this site but the climb up to the post is steep.
Remaining surface buildings: A stone built aircraft post stands nearby. It
is 12’ X 8’ with an 8’ X 8’ open section and a 4’ X 8’ crew room with a
sloping wooden roof. One corner of the building is badly damaged.
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: ROSEDALE
OS Grid Ref: SE72109460
Date opened: February 1962
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a low mound on open moorland 20 yards from a car park on the
opposite side of Rosedale Chimney Bank (Road name)
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact, one set of ventilation
louvres are in place, the other set are lying nearby. The top of the
ventilation shaft has fallen off and is lying nearby. There is some green
paint remaining. The concrete apron around the access shaft is cracked. The
hatch is open. The monitoring room is flooded to within 5 feet of the top of
the shaft.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: STRENSALL
OS Grid Ref: SE63696009
Date opened: February 1968
Date closed: September 1971
Location: On an MOD training area 50 yards south of Flaxton Road
Description: DEMOLISHED All surface features removed by the MOD shortly
after closure as the was considered a terrorist being very close to the
perimeter fence. The only evidence is a line of telegraph poles along
Flaxton Road which end opposite the post position.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: THIRSK
OS Grid Ref: SE42098038
Date opened: May 1962
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On the north side of a farm access road (Millburn Lane) and on the
east side of a field boundary. 200 yards west of Topcliff Road (A168).
Description: DEMOLISHED The post was demolished in the early 1990’s and a
cellphone mast now occupies the site. A line of telegraph poles running
along Millburn Lane stop at the site of the post.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: TOLLERTON
OS Grid Ref: SE51676343
Date opened: October 1959
Date closed: October 1968
Location: 30 yards east of Yorkbridge Road
Description: OPEN Much of the mound has been removed leaving the two shafts
standing on 9 course of bricks. The ventilation shaft is partly demolished
and the BPI pipe has been removed. Some green paint is still visible. The
louvres on the ventilation shaft adjacent to the access shaft are still in
place although damaged. The hatch is partly detached. Internally the followi
ng artifacts remain: table, shelf, cupboard, twin bunks, single bed, GPO
junction boxes/wiring and the BPI mount (detached). The site has been used
to sum farm waste, old tyres and rubble.
Remaining surface buildings: An Orlit B in good condition stands nearby. It’
s external wooden door is intact but broken. The Orlit is surrounded by
wooden frames that are tied to it.
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: TOPCLIFFE
OS Grid Ref: SE41397560
Date opened: April 1964
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a mound 20 yards east of Edmire Lane on the edge of a disused
airfield. Opposite the drive to Topcliffe Manor Farm.
Description: OPEN The mound has been cut back all round and this has caused
the concrete apron around the access shaft to crack in several places. All
surface features remain intact and in good condition with some green paint
and the ventilation louvres remaining. The step and the hatch are detached.
Internally the walls of the monitoring room are covered in graffiti.
Remaining artifacts include twin bunks, single bed, table, shelf, cupboard,
BPI mount, GPO junction boxes and wiring.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Name: UPSALL
OS Grid Ref: SE45358727
Date opened: January 1961
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a low mound set into a steep hillside 150 yards east of an
un-named minor road in Upsall Village. Opposite North Farm
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact but the step is
detached and the concrete apron around the access shaft is cracked. The
ventilation louvres are all in place although damaged. The hatch is
detached. Internally the following artifacts remain: table (partly burned),
shelf, twin bunks, single bed, BPI mount, GPO junction boxes and wiring.
Remaining surface buildings: A stone built aircraft post stands nearby. It
is 12’ X 8’ with an 8’ X 8’ open section and a 4’ X 8’ crew room with a
sloping wooden roof. There are 5 Jerry cans inside. At the back of the
aircraft post are three steps up to a square concrete column which is 4’
high with a small concrete plinth on top. It’s purpose is unknown.
Date of visit: 27.4.2002
Durham
Name: BRUSSELTON
OS Grid Ref: NZ203724988
Date Opened: July 1961
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On a low hilltop close to trig. station, 50 yards north of a farm
track and 150 yards west of an un-named minor road.
Description: OPEN Only the access shaft remains intact and partly covered
with soil. The ventilation louvres and the hatch are missing but access is
not possible as a large rock has been jammed in the shaft. The demolition of
the other surface features appears very recent. High concrete fence posts
along two sides of the former compound are still in place.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Name: PIERCEBRIDGE
OS Grid Ref: NZ23321525
Date Opened: April 1960
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: In a field 100 yards west of farm house and 150 yards north of A67
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything remains. The owner is keen to
excavate the site and some preliminary digging has revealed a wall. The hole
has now been filled in. A square depression in the ground indicates the
position of the access shaft.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 28.4.2002
Gary Marden
Camblesforth Post sounds to be in a similar condition to Lutterworth used
to be. Presumably the family at the farm own it. Are they welcoming to
visitors?
Cheers
Gary
Nick Catford
"Gary Marden" <majik...@cix.co.uk> wrote in message
news:memo.2002050...@majikthise.compulink.co.uk...
It's not as good as Lutterworth but it's one of the better ones, no beds.
Hinderwell was also a good one and that had beds. The family at Camblesforth
were very friendly and helpful and would probably welcome others although
I'm sure they wouldn't want to be inundated with visitors.
Nick
Gary Marden
Ni...@swanley1.freeserve.co.uk (Nick Catford) wrote:
> It's not as good as Lutterworth but it's one of the
> better ones, no beds. Hinderwell was also a good one
> and that had beds. The family at Camblesforth were
> very friendly and helpful and would probably welcome
> others although I'm sure they wouldn't want to be
> inundated with visitors.
Thanks. We shall probably be up that way towards the end of the summer and
it'd be nice to record it in photos for the web site.
Cheers
Gary