More Welsh ROC Posts
Nick Catford
few days off midweek to visit some more Welsh ROC Posts. Discarding the
trusty Yamaha Diversion for once, I paid Richard Branson £20 and caught the
Virgin train to Liverpool where I was met by Sub Brit member John Fogg who
did the driving for the following two days, many thanks John. 19 posts were
visited in Flintshire, Denbighshire and Montgomeryshire. The success rate
was reasonable with 11 post still intact with 5 aircraft posts (including
two at sites where the underground post has gone).
Several of the posts were very hard to find because the NGR published in
Attack Warning Red proved very inaccurate at 4 sites and at a 5th, Nantglyn,
the post may still exist at another location.
The posts are listed below in order of visit. The information should be
uploaded to the ROC web site www.subterranea.org.uk/roc/main.htm at the end
of the month.
Flintshire
Name: PENYFFORDD
OS Grid Ref: SJ30916217
Date Opened: November 1958
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On the north side of Chester Road
Description: DEMOLISHED The underground post was demolished in the 1970's
although it is believed the monitoring room still exists below ground.
Remaining surface buildings: A brick aircraft post stands on the site. It is
approximately 17' X 10' divided into two rooms. The observation room is 10'
X 10' with a six-sided opening in the concrete roof. The roof of the crew
room is raised by 10" above that of the monitoring room. A wooden WW2 radio
mast with an underground shelter alongside stand in woodland 200 yards to
the northwest.
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: MOLD
OS Grid Ref: SJ24336191
Date Opened: October 1964
Date closed: October 1968
Location: On a field boundary 100 yards east of an un-named minor road, 20
metres from an electricity pylon.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact but all the ventilation
louvers and the BPI pipe are missing and the step is beginning to pull away
from the access shaft. The hatch is open with its counter balance weight
missing and the ladder partially unbolted. Internally the post is fire
damaged and has been completely stripped apart from the toilet door, which
is broken.
Remaining surface buildings: There is a small (6' X 8') brick building
standing a few yards west of the post. This is the crew quarters of an
aircraft post, the open aircraft observation room having been demolished and
the doorway linking the two rooms has bricked up.
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: HOLYWELL
OS Grid Ref: SJ18537504
Date Opened: April 1964 and November 1981
Date closed: October 1968 and September 1991
Location: On a low mound in a large compound on hilltop beside a cellphone
mast. 200 yards north of Brynford Hill (B5121) and on the north side of a
small quarry.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the light green paint. The step is detached and the hatch is locked. The
site is owned by Millennium Communications who have erected a cellphone
aerial. Unusually they have not demolished the post and there is no obvious
evidence that they use it for anything. Having been closed in 1968, the post
re-opened in a regional reorganisation in November 1981.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: PRESTATYN
OS Grid Ref: SJ07918186
Date Opened: February 1961
Date closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound within a securely locked compound on hilltop 250
yards along a track running north from an un-named minor road. Close to BT
aerial mast.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the green paint. The hatch is locked. Unusually the slats on the louvres are
vertical rather than horizontal. The post now houses communications
equipment. Inside the compound there is a small tower with 3 VHF/UHF aerials
on the top with feeder cables running into the bunker through the main
shaft.
Remaining surface buildings: An empty radar plinth stands nearby on a mound.
A number of other related building survive in the vicinity. They are unused
with doors and windows bricked up.
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: ST. ASAPH
OS Grid Ref: SJ02017517
Date Opened: February 1964
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On the north side of a field boundary, 100 yards east of an
un-named minor road.
Description: An overgrown gate in the hedge alongside the road, and a small
wooden bridge across a stream were for access. All surface features remain
intact with some soil erosion around the access shaft. Some green paint
remains and the ventilation louvres on the shaft adjacent to the access
shaft are still in place. Internally the post has suffered some fire damage
but the shelf, cupboard, twin bunks, battery and battery box and one
ventilation louvre are still to be found.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: BODFARI
OS Grid Ref: SJ09647177
Date Opened: October 1960
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On a low hilltop on the north side of a public footpath, 100 yards
west of an un-named minor road.
Description: DEMOLISHED Some concrete rubble in gorse bushes probably comes
from the post. The farm access gate at the roadside has some traces of ROC
green paint.
Remaining surface buildings: An Orlit B still stands 200 yards to the north
on another hilltop at SJ09647194. It retains the metal base of the wooden
instrument table and several corrugated sheets from the roof lie on the
grass nearby.
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Denbighshire
Name: LLANFAIR TALHAIARN
OS Grid Ref: SH92936999
Date Opened: June 1960
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound in a small rectangular compound on hillside behind
houses, 75 yards north of a sharp bend in Ailt-y-Powls.
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with the light green
paint flaking badly. The FSM pipe stands on a square concrete plinth and a
concrete apron surrounds the ventilation shaft. The hatch is locked.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: LLYSFAEN
OS Grid Ref: SH88877736
Date Opened: June 1962
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: At the western edge of a ridge of high ground on the south side of
a covered reservoir. 150 yards north of Tan-y-Craig Road.
Description: DEMOLISHED A deep depression in the ground beside a footpath
almost certainly marks the spot.
Remaining surface buildings: The base of an Orlit A is visible on the north
side of the reservoir at SH88857743
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: LLANRWST
OS Grid Ref: SH808624
Date Opened: July 1960
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: In field south of Abergele Road (A548)
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything apart from a truncated
telegraph pole on a field boundary.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Future actions: CONFIRM POSITION & CALCULATE 8 FIGURE NGR
Name: PENTREFOELAS
OS Grid Ref: SH87075108
Date Opened: July 1958
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: On north side of a public footpath on a hilltop, 300 yards south
of A5.
Description: DEMOLISHED A line of telegraph poles crossing the fields make a
dog leg to pass the post and the cables still come down the pole into the
ground. The post was on a slightly raised area; a sheep-feeding trough now
stands on the spot.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: CERRIG-Y-DRUIDION
OS Grid Ref: SH96204929
Date Opened: September 1963
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On hilltop 200 yards east of B4501
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact with some green paint
remaining. The step is broken and the ventilation louvres are missing. The
hatch is open. Internally the post is in good condition with the table,
shelf, cupboard and three single beds. Other artefacts include GPO wiring
and junction boxes, BPI mount, battery and two of the ventilation louvres.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Name: NANTGLYN
OS Grid Ref: SJ006625
Date Opened: April 1966
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On the south side of an un-named minor road.
Description: DEMOLISHED Nothing remains at the published location but it
seems a highly unlikely position.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Future actions: CONFIRM POSITION AND VISIT IF REQUIRED, CALCULATE 8 FIGURE
NGR.
Name: BRYMBO
OS Grid Ref: SJ28475320
Date Opened: October 1860
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: On a low mound amongst mine spoil heaps, 20 yards north of Brymbo
Road. The site is now used for motorcross.
Description: LOCKED The corner compound fence posts still stand. All surface
features remain intact with some flaking of the green paint. The hatch has
been badly damaged by people trying to break in and although the padlocks
have been cut off it is still locked internally but can be opened with a
T-bar key. Internally much remains including table, shelf, cupboard, two
short bench seats, small rack of shelves, battery box, kettle, shovel head,
BPI mount, FSM mount with a plastic cover, weather chart, some papers and
posters. There is also a 'Goodbye' card pinned to the wall signed by all the
observers manning the post at stand down.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
Name: OVERTON
OS Grid Ref: SJ37374414
Date Opened: May 1965
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: In a small rectangular compound on the south side of a field
boundary beside footpath linking Musley Lane with Salop Road
Description: LOCKED The post was within a larger compound and one side of
the original fencing still survives along the field boundary. The size of
the compound was reduced by the Home Office at the request of the farmer
when the site was handed back after stand down. All surface features remain
intact with some flaking of the green paint. A metal dome on the ventilation
shaft indicates this was a master post. There are no padlocks but the hatch
is locked internally and can be opened with a T-bar key. Internally the post
is in good condition although rather damp with much remaining including
table, shelf, cupboard, a lot of papers and forms, visitors log, Tele-Talk,
WB1401 carrier receiver and WB1410 filter unit, copper earth straps, coax
cable for radio, BT wiring and junction boxes, 2 chairs, dustpan and brush,
broom, 2 mattresses. The owner allowed people from the village to visit the
post after closure and those that did have signed the visitor's book. Most
of the papers were removed after the inspection so that they could be dried
out. The owner intends to put them back and is keen that the post should be
preserved although he would not welcome further visitors.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
Montgomeryshire
Name: LLANYMYNECH
OS Grid Ref: SJ26452130
Date Opened: December 1960
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: At the end of a line of telegraph poles on a mound in a large
irregularly shaped sloping compound incorporating hilltop. To the west of
Pen-Y-Foel Hall (who own the post).
Description: LOCKED All surface features remain intact with some flaking of
the green paint. A dome on the ventilation shaft and three guying points
indicates this was a master post. The hatch is locked.
Remaining surface buildings: A small brick aircraft posts stands on the hill
top 20 yards to the north. It is 7' X 5' with a sloping corrugated metal
roof over the small crew room which has a small bench seat, The 5' X 5' open
observation room still retains its wooden instrument table and some GPO
wiring and a junction box.
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
Denbighshire
Name: LLANRHAIADR
OS Grid Ref: SJ13112608
Date Opened: September 1965
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: On the south side of B4580
Description: DEMOLISHED No trace of anything apart from a break in the
hedgerow and a cable coming down a nearby telegraph pole.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
Montgomeryshire
Name: LLANFYLLIN
OS Grid Ref: SJ14622018
Date Opened: September 1965
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On a mound in a small wooded rectangular compound. 20 yards east
of a house (who own the post) and 200 yards east of an un-named minor road.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact and in good condition
with some green paint and all the ventilation louvres still in place. The
original locking bar is across the hatch but it is not locked. The internal
doors at the bottom of the shaft are locked. The table, shelf, cupboard and
twin bunks remain in place.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
Name: LLANWYDDYN
OS Grid Ref: SJ02601869
Date Opened: March 1962
Date Closed: September 1991
Location: On a mound at the end of a line of telegraph poles within a large
rectangular compound on a hilltop within a country park. 100 yards east of
track.
Description: DEMOLISHED Although the post has been demolished, part of the
concrete apron around the access shaft remains as does the FSM pipe which
has been cut off at ground level.
Remaining surface buildings: None
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
Name: LLANGADFAN
OS Grid Ref: SJ01991161
Date Opened: February 1962
Date Closed: October 1968
Location: On a hilltop 50 yards north of a house (who own the post). 120
yards west of an un-named minor road.
Description: OPEN All surface features remain intact although the concrete
apron around the access shaft is cracking badly and there is some soil
erosion. The ventilation louvres are missing and the hatch is partly
detached. Internally all the wooden furniture including the monitoring room
door have been smashed. The toilet door is detached (The Elsan chemical
toilet is in the house front garden). There is some electrical and GPO
wiring and junction boxes. A line of very old telegraph poles serve the
house but pass over the post with cables coming down. The owner seems keen
that the post should be demolished.
Remaining surface buildings: An Orlit A stands nearby with its corrugated
metal roof collapsed inside. Its two doors have gone.
Date of visit: 3.10.2000
The Doc
Pen-y-ffordd and was looking for it yesterday. Did you actually speak to
anyone in relation to the post and do you know who owns the site?
Many thanks in advance
Dave :-)
--
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Dave Harper
Wrexham, Cymru
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Nick Catford wrote in message <8rg80k$vb$1...@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>...
Nick Catford
of the road. The field is south of the wood with the old WW2 radio mast in
it. If you look over the hedge you will see the brick aircraft post. You
will also see a farm house a 100 yards from the building. That is where the
owner/farmer lives. He is very helpful and friendly.
Nick
The Doc <dave...@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:jv4D5.15137$uq5.2...@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com...
Pete Baston
y1.freeserve.co.uk> writes
>The post is in a field on the north side of Chester Road, immediately north
>of the road. The field is south of the wood with the old WW2 radio mast in
>it. If you look over the hedge you will see the brick aircraft post. You
>will also see a farm house a 100 yards from the building. That is where the
>owner/farmer lives. He is very helpful and friendly.
Bill Pugh and I went down into this post, which was open, around 1975
(Bill ?). Seem to remember there was not a lot remaining at the time,
although the clockwork timer for the lights still worked.
Pete.
--
Pete Baston
Buckley, North Wales.
The Doc
>OS Grid Ref: SJ30916217
>Date Opened: November 1958
>Date Closed: October 1968
>Location: On the north side of Chester Road
>Description: DEMOLISHED The underground post was demolished in the 1970's
>although it is believed the monitoring room still exists below ground.
>Remaining surface buildings: A brick aircraft post stands on the site. It
is
>approximately 17' X 10' divided into two rooms. The observation room is 10'
>X 10' with a six-sided opening in the concrete roof. The roof of the crew
>room is raised by 10" above that of the monitoring room. A wooden WW2 radio
>mast with an underground shelter alongside stand in woodland 200 yards to
>the northwest.
>Date of visit: 2.10.2000
Sorry to bother again.....but
How demolished was it? is it just a case of shaft filled in and surface
items removed or was it completely destroyed?
Cheers
Dave :-)
--
--
Dave Harper
Wrexham, Cymru
|
Richard
I've two reasons to subscribe
1. I was stationed at RAF Fylingdales for a number of years prior to the
arrival of the phased array system now in place. If i can give any unclas
info i'll be glad to help. I think i've also got some photos from the
interals of bldg 301,302 and 303 (the ones under the domes)
2. is there an online copy of the attack warning red book or a list of
sites. I've seen 1 or two by following various links however it seems
there's lots mentioned that are not published at any of the sites visited.
3. I was also stationed within the HQSOUMAR setup @ plymouth which was built
entirely subsurface into the side of a big lump of granite.
regards
Rich
Steve Walker
news:45VF5.2359$NQ4....@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com...
> Sorry to be the complete newbie here.
> arrival of the phased array system now in place. If i can give any unclas
> info i'll be glad to help. I think i've also got some photos from the
> interals of bldg 301,302 and 303 (the ones under the domes)
>
built
> entirely subsurface into the side of a big lump of granite.
I think we're going to like you..........
Nick Catford
> 2. is there an online copy of the attack warning red book or a list of
> sites. I've seen 1 or two by following various links however it seems
> there's lots mentioned that are not published at any of the sites visited.
Richard
There is no online copy of Attack warning Red but the book is still
available for £5 (a snip considering it was £20 new) plus £5 postage from
Rothery's in Albert Road, Southsea. There is also a web site listing all the
ROC posts www.subterranea.org.uk/roc/main.htm
Nick
Mike Blanche
Hon ric...@richard.com, Member of Parliament for uk.rec.subterranea made
the following policy announcement...
> 1. I was stationed at RAF Fylingdales for a number of years prior to the
> arrival of the phased array system now in place. If i can give any unclas
> info i'll be glad to help. I think i've also got some photos from the
> interals of bldg 301,302 and 303 (the ones under the domes)
If the security services don't mind, please post these on the web!
Or failing that, send the photos to me and I'll post the on the web...
:-)
mike
Richard
i can and post. I don't have any of SOUMAR as photography was forbidden even
offical photos..
rgds
Rich
"Mike Blanche" <mi...@no.spam.digiserve.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.14541b723...@auth.news.easynet.co.uk...
Martin Sylvester
> i belive all the photos are now in the public domain. i'll scan them in
when
Welcome to urs, Rich!
You may not be contemplating this anyway, but posting pictures to a
non-binary newsgroup like this can cause big problems, and is actively
discouraged. A better solution might be to add them to your own webspace, if
you have any, and post the URL here. If you don't have webspace, then I'm
sure that among the people here who run their own subterranea website,
you'll find one willing to host the pictures for you. Please don't interpret
these remarks as criticism: they're offered as friendly advice, which you
may or may not choose to follow. 8-)
You might be able to answer a question, Rich. Is BCF Wilson's history of RAF
Fylingdales
http://www.bookshop.co.uk/ser/serdsp.asp?shop=3530&isbn=0950852104&DB=220
worth getting for those of us interested in subterranea or Cold War history?
Martin.
--
I do not intend to imply that any views expressed above represent the policy
of any organisation, nor do I warrant any information to be accurate.
URL: http://www.sylvesternet.freeserve.co.uk/martin/ for: Catholic books;
Parish of St Peter & St Paul, Swadlincote, UK; "Daria" books, videos & info.
Richard
the subterranea main site.
as for the history. yes definately there's an awful lot of info in there
including alot of the pictures i have. I knew wgcdr wilson quite well "nice
bloke".
It covers from site planning and initial build (including the married qtrs
in whitby) right the way thru to about early 80's.
the main thing to remember about fylingdales was it was predominately run by
civilians.. with approx 40 airforce personnel and normally 1 usaf liaision
officer. its primary role was spacetrack and launch detection.
rgds
Rich
majik...@cix.compulink.co.uk
ric...@richard.com (Richard) wrote:
> the main thing to remember about fylingdales was it was predominately
> run by
> civilians.. with approx 40 airforce personnel and normally 1 usaf
> liaision
> officer. its primary role was spacetrack and launch detection.
I'll always remember seeing the old golf ball radomes from a carriage of a
train on the North Yorks Railway one summer. As I recall it was
Fylingdales that would have given us the "four minute warning". It was
also the inspiration to a Jethro Tull song.
Cheers
Gary
Richard
it was always a focus for CND too who seemed to think the calibration tower
had some sort of launch capability in it.. somehow made us smile that did..
richard