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View Full Version : Bempton ROTOR C.E.W Station, Bempton, April '09



boxfrenzy
24-04-2009, 06:13 PM
I've wanted to go here for ages, and I wasn't disappointed. It's dark, full of asbestos and holes on the floor, and potentially about to be sealed.
A bit of history.
The ROTOR programme developed in three stages, ROTOR 1, 2 and 3 soon after the second world war and corresponded with the technological advancements made in radar detection ability. ROTOR buildings followed the same basic design that gave them the appearance of a normal house, usually a bungalow, although some had dormer windows.
Today the bungalow is ruined, the roof gone.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3471083982_02a213a728.jpg

There are a number of buildings nearby on the cliff top. This is an air vent.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3471092768_df8a25b3a8.jpg

Farm animals often graze on the site. The area is now a haven for birds. Looking outside from within the bungalow.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3471083972_92af251635.jpg

Another interior of the bungalow.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3471083978_6acce30a54.jpg

A tiled fireplace in one of the rooms. Each of the rooms was fitted with steel shutters.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3471083976_3bb29d5058.jpg

Bempton R3 ROTOR C.E.W station is was one of six 1 level bunkers, buried 30 feet under the ground. Of the six R3 bunkers, this is the only accessible one at present. There were two entrances, an emergency one with a ladder, now cut, and these concrete stairs.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3471083964_58f2e91462.jpg

Last view of the daylight
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3471083956_f7c0c713a9.jpg

After a long passageway heading down, blast doors are present at either end of the main bunker.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3471077124_95f11083b5.jpg


Underground is stripped and badly burned out, with asbestos particles in the air. The main operation room is ruined. The cut off tubes from the ceilings look like remains of a nightclub. Diso Inferno.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3470264869_75712fd13f.jpg

The rooms were off long central corridors. Doors have gone, some covering holes in the floor. The torchbeam, flickering on this, was a surprise.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3470264841_e66d9af873.jpg

Within the plant room, pipes cast strange shadows on the charred walls.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3470264801_2b78b7796c.jpg

Next to the filter room was a small room with these racks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3470264833_d3eec46230.jpg

The bunker was decommisionned in 1972 and eventually in 1980/81 it was disposed of. Gone is all of the machinery and the teak floors that were once installed. In front of me was a long drop.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3470264877_55c6c8c02f.jpg

The military police were called to the site during the 1970's to evict a coven of witches who were part of a sex cult on the site. Explicit graffiti remains as evidence of this. Eagle eyed readers may just spot some.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3470264853_ebca75a057.jpg

At the other side of the main bunker is the other set of blast doors.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3471077088_6153a01fba.jpg

The main cyclone cooling fan.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3471077060_3f0fc34035.jpg

Unknown fact. The set of Blake 7 was based on this picture.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3471077106_f2775bc434.jpg

The farmer is believed to be considering bulldozing the ruined bungalow into the entrance staircase to deter unwnated visitors.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3471077050_7f7b87f38b.jpg

Many people travel to the area for ornithological reasons. I was pleased to announce that I too had seen some Great Tits and other birds.

simonix
25-04-2009, 10:26 AM
Fantastic photos, if this gets bulldosed it will be criminal!

Muse
26-04-2009, 07:46 AM
Great shots boxfrenzy, I fear I'm not going to have time for birdwatching in the near future so may miss this one.

KingElvis
26-04-2009, 07:37 PM
Bempton was an R1 CEW station not an R3 (I am pretty certain anyway)

Great shots and this is a great site.

Heffalump
26-04-2009, 07:52 PM
Wow! this is a brilliant report, amazing photos and brilliant captions. Thanks for sharing :)

manof2worlds
08-08-2009, 09:20 AM
Brilliant, quite inspiring for a newb like me :)

marco polo
19-08-2009, 06:54 AM
Hi,

I have been trying to get to this place for a while, does anyone know if it is still accessible?

Many thanks

boxfrenzy
19-08-2009, 08:03 AM
I don't know mate, and, with respect even if I did, I may think twice about telling you. No offense, but who are you? Are you an explorer, graffiti person, someone who wants to set it on fire (again) or a serial killer who wants to imprison people down there? :D
I'm sure that you have the very best intentions, so why not introduce yourself in the say hello thread, and tell us who you are?
By getting involved, then people will feel much more confident and maybe information on sites will be more apparent. Sorry I am sounding like a dick. It's just I am. ;)