Around the UK are 1563 Royal Observers Corps (ROC) monitoring posts.
Built in the 1950's at the start of the cold war these small underground concrete bunkers would be vital in reporting and monitoring a nuclear blast and its fall out and communicating to their HeadQuarter emergency plans could be actioned.
Many were closed in 1968 as the threat of nuclear war fell, with the remainder closing in 1991 and the Royal Observer Corps were disbanded.
Subbrit have visited and photographed each of these posts, but many reports are now out of date.
With modern development, vandals and decay many of the posts are disappearing and i hope to visit as many as possible.
Visited Posts
Bethersden, Bradfield, Brymbo, Clevedon, Compton, Crowborough, Edenbridge, Erwood, Llandindrod Wells, Horsham, New Radnor, Ombersley, Petworth, Singleton, Steyning
Bradfield (Berkshire): 1968-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: July 2007
The post is in an overgrown compund, the post is open and in good condition.
Inside remains a cupboard, chairs, bpi mount, BT receiver and various other items.
Bethersden (Kent): 1962-1968. Condition: Blocked Shaft. Visited: July 2007
When Subbrit visited in 1997 the post was accessible but stripped inside. 10 years later the access shaft has been backfilled with dirt, the hatch has been pulled off and the enclosure is overgrown. Although all surface features remain.
Edenbridge (Kent): 1960-1968. Condition: Poor. Visited: December 2007
The enclosure of the post is overgrown, and lots of rubble scattered which has fallen from the Orlit post which stands inside the enclosure along with a telegraph pole as this was a master post.
The hatch is on top of the access shaft but is not attached and can be slid off.
The whole post is completely burnt out, the only feature left inside is the chemical toilet.
Clevedon (Somerset): 1959-1991. Condition: Demolished. Visited: May 2009
The would have been under this large area of brambles. All that remains is a hinge from the gate of the enclosure and a pipe which could either from the BPI or from where water was pumped out the sump.
Erwood (Breconshire): 1963-1991. Condition: Demolished. Visited: July 2007
Only the original gate and the telegraph that served the post remains. There are large lumps of concrete nearby that may be the post.
Llandindrod Wells (Radnor): 1958-1991. Condition: Locked. Visited: May 2009
The appears to be in good condition on the surface. The two original battleship locks lay next to the hatch with two modern replacements on the hatch.
New Radnor (Radnor): 1962-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: May 2009
The post is in good condition. But with few items remaining. The post has not been vandalised.
Crowborough (Sussex): 1960-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: June 2007
The post has the newer torlift hatch mechanism, the lock has been removed and the hatch opens freely.
Inside the post is in good condition with no vandlism although the post is messy. A cupboard, racking and some cleaning items remain.
Compton (Sussex): 1962-1968. Condition: Good. Visited: May 2007
The compund is heavily overgrown although all surface features remain, inside the post is in good condition with a few items remaining.
Horsham (Sussex): 1961-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: May 2007
In very good condition with table, cupboard and shelving remaining, along with various cleaning items. Marked in a polysterene tile is '26 Post No.2 Group'.
Petworth (Sussex): 1966-1968. Condition : Good. Visited: May 2007
The post is completely stripped except for the cupboard. The post is in good condition and free from graffiti.
Singleton (Sussex): 1961-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: May 2007
Post was locked when Subbrit visited. The post is now open and in good condition.
Green plating surrounds the hatch, maybe to reinforce it because of cracks.
Inside remains a cupboard table, weather chart and BT junction box for the teletalk.
Steyning (Sussex): 1959-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: May 2007
All surface features remain intact. Inside the post is in good condition. With jerry cans, light timer switch, BPI mount, "government" issue toilet roll and soap stamped with ER on it.
Ombersley (Worcestershire): 1961-1991. Condition: Locked. Visited: June 2010
The post is locked and the compound heavily overgrown.
Brymbo (Denbighshire): 1960-1991. Condition: Good. Visited: March 2007
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