Just enjoying the pics on the thread Moggy C started, ‘Well, I think it is emotive’. Brought a little thought to mind.
How many of these WWII era Watch Towers are:
a) extant,
b) still in use by the military
c) in use one way or another
I know that there is the one at Caernarfon, in use as HQ with air-ground tower on the roof. There is also the one at Sleap in use as HQ, cafe etc. I am also aware that the Watch Tower at RAF Mona was in use by the RAF right up until its destruction in late 2005 (a record for military use?)
By: Camlobe - 7th March 2006 at 19:28
Didn’t realise so many were still extant. Saw another one the other day just to the South of Whitchurch. Looked a bit derelict.
By: GASML - 7th March 2006 at 11:21
Bicester watch tower, soaking up the sunshine yesterday. Sadly not so today!
By: bloodnok - 3rd March 2006 at 19:29
cambridge tower was still in use until a few years ago, then they built a big new tower there, and the old one had the glass top floor removed, but the rest is still there.
By: SADSACK - 3rd March 2006 at 14:28
did I hear waddington will lose theirs in favour of a new one? Its a shame so many of their original buildings are being cleared
By: SADSACK - 3rd March 2006 at 14:25
The example at Coleby Grange is legendry – it seems in fair condition and the ghost storys about it are well documented
By: T6flyer - 3rd March 2006 at 12:44
Down here in the far South West, there are still towers at Winkleigh, Davidstow Moor, St Merryn and at Dunkeswell.
Martin
By: Hatton - 2nd March 2006 at 23:27
The tower at Strubby, Lincs.
taken last week.
By: Dave Barrell - 2nd March 2006 at 22:59
Little Walden – still extant, DID hold a business, not sure what now.
ADrian
Private residence..
By: Rlangham - 2nd March 2006 at 22:55
East Kirby has a very nice one, Yorkshire Air Museum’s isn’t bad as well. Last time I was there, RAF Syerston had theirs as well
By: Denis - 2nd March 2006 at 22:53
Matching Green airfield, the control Tower is used by Raytheon for Radar testing work.
Pics are on my website.
By: Charlielima5 - 2nd March 2006 at 19:24
I have to question why people are now calling these buildings Watch Towers when until quite recently they were always either Watch Offices or Control Towers?
I believe the latter term only came into use in the UK after the USAAF’s arrival here and before that the RAF and Air Ministry always identified them as Watch Offices on the original design drawings and site plans.
By: G-ORDY - 2nd March 2006 at 19:14
Wickenby is in use as the Flying Club clubhouse
Goodwood was there a few years ago and housed an excellent “Greasy Spoon” style of cafe which every motorcyclist in SE England seemed to call in at on Sundays!
By: GASML - 2nd March 2006 at 18:08
Bicester’s watch tower is alive and well, one of the whole package of intact wartime RAF buildings that helped get it listed by English Heritage last month.
Its lower offices are currently used by the Faulkes Flying Foundation, which gives gliding experience to young people, while the errr…amenities are gratefully used by Windrushers Gliding Club members caught short while on the airfield! 😀
By: adrian_gray - 2nd March 2006 at 17:57
Off the top of my head:
Little Walden – still extant, DID hold a business, not sure what now.
Earl’s Colne – demolished since c2000
Finmere – damn close to falling down
Stansted – still controlled the airport until c2000 when new tower built
Caernarfon if memory serves me well was properly called Llandwrog (thlan-do-rog, I think, if you fancy a bash at welsh) – hence why it is now called Caernarfon!
Intriguingly the key to the plan of RAF Gt Sampford describes the Watch Office as being “Temporary brick” – eh? Does this mean no mortar? Just bricks piled up? Or what? Any ideas?
ADrian
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March 2, 2006 at 5:45 pm