PDA

View Full Version : Archived: BBC - Wood Norton Training Facility (ETD) - Feb '11



Derelict-UK
19-02-2011, 09:25 PM
**PIC HEAVY**

BBC Wood Norton was mainly used as the Engineering Training Department (ETD) where sound engineers would go on courses and learn important stuff.

A good history site (with pics) can be found here... http://www.bakerlite.co.uk/wood_norton.htm

The site also has it's very own Nuclear Bunker, surrounded by CCTV of all kinds, including the biggest ball camera I have seen for quite a while!

The bunker is linked to a few areas including the mast we saw at the top of the hill (aptly named, 'Tunnel Hill'), you can also see air vents located next to the mast (now used by Vodafone).

The BBC drafted in extra staff and equipment/generators back in 1999 in preparation for the Millennium Bug, which never actually did anything!

The bunker recently housed Radio 4 whilst a refit of the London studios was taking place.

Last year I tried to get more info/plans of the bunker under the Freedom of Information Act, but got this reply from the BBC...


We are withholding information relating to the BBC’s site at Wood Norton under section 24
(national security). If information about processes and equipment at emergency broadcasting sites
were disclosed, this could enable others to attack or disable our networks, or those operated to
provide services to us, and would possibly prevent us from delivering information to the public in
times of national emergency. This is the case whether or not the sites in question are still in use,
because even historical information is still relevant to the emergency broadcasting plans currently
in place.


Visited with The Engineer and DHL, A good days explore.

Pics...

'The Phoenix Club', Unfortunately Brian Potter wasn't around to say hello!

1.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5458685655_3a7dd75caf_z.jpg

2.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5459292726_34a565f58e_z.jpg

3.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5458684985_67f5c02035_z.jpg

4.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5174/5459290488_a730f60aa2_z.jpg

5.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5458683475_58ac81470d_z.jpg

6.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5459291500_e8abde4b19_z.jpg

7.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5458684401_b1a5f2f295_z.jpg

Ashbridge was one of the many accommodation blocks for the BBC employees....

8.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5459296134_9dd73d42e6_z.jpg

9.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5459305686_5985a6a6d6_z.jpg

10.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5459294536_89d3eb1220_z.jpg

11.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5459294848_f308c2dcdd_z.jpg

12. BBC Wood Norton Kettle...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5459294182_463c8ac7d1_z.jpg

13. 'Wasp Massacre'
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5458687653_323772e538_z.jpg

14.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5459295334_d67f35bd45_z.jpg

15.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5458688191_89af0d072c_z.jpg

16.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5458689149_9022500f99_z.jpg

17.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5459297468_3bde53d00e_z.jpg

18.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5459296940_b4f2f742be_z.jpg

19.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/5459298352_f5a4de91da_z.jpg

20.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5458691735_2bc5eb6a47_z.jpg


Continued in the next post....

Derelict-UK
19-02-2011, 09:25 PM
21.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5458692125_647878a8cc_z.jpg

22.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5458692519_17fc2f896e_z.jpg

23. This little hut seemed to control a water pump (manual wheel to twist), to where, I do not know.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5459301796_5ee31a5423_z.jpg

24.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/5459304572_567bca7aba_z.jpg

25.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/5458697643_cf5525355e_z.jpg

26. Yes, that is a big ass satellite!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5458696139_9f3aa64291_z.jpg

27.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5459303932_515c265803_z.jpg

28.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5458698103_db057a7440_z.jpg

This was the old open air swimming pool, it has since been filled in, check this link out to see it in it's prime.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/russell_w_b/3951703624/in/set-72157622441573530/

29.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5459302258_2339bd55a3_z.jpg

30.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5458695335_a19066e3ea_z.jpg

31.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5458692865_b67e448ffb_z.jpg


Now we go and see if we can check out some of the other site...

32. The full on ANPR cam BBC bunker road block/gate/entrance...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5458693183_032dd09439_z.jpg

33. One of the BBC buildings, this was the one with the mahoosive ball cam on, so we stayed clear!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5458693623_8060df8c9b_z.jpg

34. The radio mast at the top of 'Tunnel Hill'...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5458698613_166173a35e_z.jpg

35.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5458694075_27a6e540ba_z.jpg

36. Air Vents?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5458698905_4870379537_z.jpg

37. A rather hefty door for a switch room don't you think?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5458699261_3ac7e1b8dc_z.jpg


D-UK