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View Full Version : ROC HQ no 1 Group Maidstone -Inside the bunker-Kent -Feb 2012



combat
20-02-2012, 02:20 PM
Visited with wastelandwanderer on a special opening. 57 London Road (`Fairlawns') was requisitioned in 1939 as a new headquarters for No.1 Group, Royal Observer Corps - having previously been stationed in rooms above Maidstone Post Office. In use throughout WWII until stand down, by the 1950s Fairlawns was relegated to being a training centre for the group control at Beckenham (19 Group).
In 1961 a new semi-sunk control was built to the rear of the house, with administration located in the house. In 1976, Fairlawns was renamed Ashmore House in memory of the Corps' founder Major Ashmore. Enough water for 1 weeks use for 70 people, but 3 weeks worth of diesel.
On closure in 1992, Ashmore House and the Control Bunker behind were sold to a local firm of solicitors.
Used for file storage until recently, H&S regulations have forced the solicitors to abandon use of the bunker, I wont put too many external shots in as these have been covered by other posts
There is an official visit on 17th March 2012, led by a former HQ ROC member . Donations recieved on this day going to charity. PM me for details
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000495.jpg
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000493.jpg
Entrance Hall , Decontamination rooms on left behing green door, all the showers have been removed.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000486.jpg
Looking back up the entrance stairs to lower levels.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000485.jpg
Compressor plant room, the equipment looks like it was just abandoned yesterday.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000457.jpg
Plot/observation room and upper galleries, the original fittings were sold the SOC kelvedon hatch
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000451.jpg
Sound insulated teleprinter room.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000492.jpg
Air Intake Filter room.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000456.jpg
Radio Room and room behind green door is faraday cage shielded
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000460.jpg
Looking down to the ops room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000473.jpg
Dial in the compressor room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000477.jpg
Not a LED in sight!
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000478.jpg
Standby Generator set room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000482.jpg
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000500.jpg
Alternative exit
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000498.jpg
Alt exit Hadnt been opened in a long while judging by the number of resident spiders
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000489.jpg
Plant room for ejecting unwanted semi solid matter
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000468.jpg
The place is full of indicators

Tankman
20-02-2012, 02:49 PM
Still in an excellent condition. Ripe for a makeover back to its former self, then open it up as a museum.

ERNIE99_UK
20-02-2012, 04:32 PM
Itd make a stunning museum. its in remarkable condition.

oneandsix
20-02-2012, 04:43 PM
very nice,we had one of them in norwich,but the owner demolished it 3yrs ago.
at the time no permission had been given to redevelop the site,to this day the site still sits empty.
such a shame,there was a local campaign to save it and turn it into a tourist attraction,but that ended when he bulldozed the site.

myke
20-02-2012, 04:46 PM
great shots still in good condition too. no prizes for guessing what semi solid matter is?

Krypton
20-02-2012, 05:41 PM
it is in reallllly good condition if i lived closer i would restore it myself although lot more money need on a group hq lol

great for getting in there mate

pilot25dmc
20-02-2012, 07:15 PM
A friend of mine is restoring one up in Scotland that is in far FAR worse condition than this, he is spending a small fortune.

To be fair he has got the place looking really well and has recently acquired all the fixtures and equipment to kit the whole place out again but he will have spent a fortune by the time its all finished and even then it won't be open full time as a museum as it would cost far too much to sort out all the H&S concerns.

Anyone that lives locally should SERIOUSLY consider joining the local ROCA and try to rent this place off the owners and tidy it up, all I can see that needs doing is a bit of paint here and there and a tidy up/removal of shelves and such. The blast doors just need scraping down and a new coat of paint, easy, would take a weekend with a small group of people to do.

If I lived locally I would be at their office tomorrow.

simonix
20-02-2012, 09:45 PM
That's a great report, looks to be in good condition in there, still some nice remaining artefacts.
Well done.

Bunkerkid
21-02-2012, 05:01 PM
As others have said looks in great condition this place, some stuff still left and im sure the rest of the gear could be sourced with some patience and time. Some paint here and there where needed and a bit of TLC it would look good as new!