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View Full Version : Middleton Stoney ROC Post (Restored) First Open Day - 3rd July 2011



Tankman
27-06-2011, 10:17 PM
Well we have finally finished the resto:thumb Only a few bits to get now! But we have decided to go ahead with our Open day which will be this Sunday, 3rd July, between 12.00 - 16.00 hrs.

We are having an official re-opening ceremony, with No.3 Group's standard bearer, bringing the ROC Colours down to the post. This was her last post as well so a very special occassion will be happening:thumb

If anyone wishes to come down, they are more than welcome:thumb but please let me know.
Parking is restricted along the lane leading up to the post, and it would be nice to know what time you intend to arrive.

In the meantime a few pics of where we came from and where we are now:D

http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/47303/2267724950033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2267724950033241453fxZLbi)

The post in 2009, abandoned since 1991 and unloved, a den for the locals to hang out!

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/47551/2226937580033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2226937580033241453USDfLL)

The post today, now maintained and restored:D

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/47368/2853853630033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2853853630033241453xQYnJD)

Nothing is left in the post after "open days".

Internal pics! Well you will have to come down and see for yourself, or wait for the report on how the open day went:thumb

Krypton
28-06-2011, 08:13 AM
I hope it goes well for you but far to far for me to travel.

However, i will be down that way in August im hoping that i can get Kettering Opened up for me and i'd loe to see Middleton Stoney

scottj
28-06-2011, 03:53 PM
Looks very nice;) well done. Ere Jack any news on Grantham?

Krypton
28-06-2011, 03:57 PM
Nope nothing mate :( The number i had for that solicitor guy did not work anymore.

Tankman
04-07-2011, 05:58 PM
We had our first open day yesterday and we had a good turn out of people, who came down, to view the post. we were only open for 4 hours and in that time we had 20 people turn up:thumb
It was a real rush to get everything down the hatch and set up in time but myself and BK managed it, just by the skin of our teeth as a crowd was forming up on the top, waiting to come down!


Three of the former posts observers came down for the re-opening, one of which is still ROCA, No.3 Group's standard bearer. So the re-opening ceremony was performed by not only the last observer in the post at standown back in 1991, but also she reopened the post with the ROCA colours flying over the post:thumb

On with the pics:

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/48108/2022381330033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2022381330033241453wMkJJb)

1990, and one of Middleton Stoney's observers a young Rosemary Ward smiles for the camera whilst taking part in an Operation Skywatch exercise.

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/48814/2496380700033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2496380700033241453fIrscE)

2011, Rosemary returns to Middleton Stoney 20 years later to re-open the post she left just after stand down in September 1991:thumb

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/47019/2412228510033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2412228510033241453DdFYxB)

Part of the crowd that was waiting to come down the post. It was amazing that even passers by wanted to come down! Everyone showed an interest in what the ROC was about and in the restoration of the Post:smile

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/47686/2364606360033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2364606360033241453KBCZDj)

Down in the post, three former observers meet up again for the first time in over 20 years:thumb (From Left to Right Clint Mahler - Leading Observer, Rosemary Ward - Observer, Martin Mander - Leading Observer) It was really nice to hear them talk about there experiences whilst in the ROC. For quite a while I left them alone so they could chat amongst themselves!

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/45621/2877865010033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2877865010033241453OADOdO)

Post equipment setup :thumb It took myself and BK nearly 2 hours to unpack and set up the post! Then we had to dismantle it all and take it away again ready for the next open day:smile

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/45385/2015818720033241453S600x600Q85.jpg (http://news.webshots.com/photo/2015818720033241453bxrhlY)

With the BPI in place the job was done and ready for visitors:thumb

Please note there is nothing left in the post, everything is removed after the open days:coffee
Thanks for looking. The next open day will be in late August.

Krypton
04-07-2011, 08:12 PM
nice one tm

TripleSix
02-02-2012, 09:22 PM
I notice she's a back to fronter.

That WOULD confuse me!