Royal Observer Corps underground monitoring post

ROC underground monitoring post built in 1960.

MATERIALS: reinforced concrete.

PLAN: the post has a rectangular plan and is located in a field around 235m to the west of Wykin Lane.

EXTERIOR: the post is situated beneath a shallow grassy mound that is rectangular in shape. Entry is gained via a concrete access shaft with a louvered vent. Approximately 4m to the east is a smaller ventilation shaft, also with a louvered vent.

INTERIOR: the post is an example of a standard design consisting of an underground chamber measuring 19ft × 8ft 6in × 7ft 6in (5.8m × 2.6m × 2.3m). It has a 15ft (4.5m) deep, 2ft (0.6m) square entrance shaft giving access via a metal ladder to the monitoring room lined in original polystyrene tiles and a much smaller room containing a chemical Elsan latrine which is still in-situ. Underneath the carpet, the floors are concrete.

Many of the original fixtures, fittings and furnishings remain intact. Along the north wall are fixed a two-door cupboard, above which a radio set and bomb power indicator are mounted on the wall; and a table, upon which rests two loud speaker telephones (not fixed). The original metal-framed two-tier bunk beds are positioned against the east wall but are not fixed. Above them is a small blast door to cover the air vents in case of an emergency. A replica desk stands against the south wall.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the post is set within a fenced enclosure, measuring approximately 19m by 10m, of which the concrete posts are original.

The above-ground, brick-built monitoring post located immediately to the south-west is of modest interest as a 2015 replica of the 1937 original and does not have special interest.