Greenham Common and two remaining features

[Alansworld]

I wondered if you would be interested to see a couple of short videos of features not demolished at Greenham Common. Although these days it's largely a common, the demolishers did leave behind a handful of the original installations

The first is of the Chlorination Building (what I call it). I understand it was used for the purification and chlorination of water from the nearby artesian well:




Secondly, the firefighters' practice plane and what I call the Bat Building, because at one time there was a sign on it advising people not to disturb the bats. More recently you could get inside it, and I know that people were sleeping rough in it. But in just the last few weeks it's been secured with iron panels:



Both are in 4K, so use that if you can. Hope you find them of interest.

 

[Newage]

The SSA bomb dump is always worth a look.

cheers Newage

 

[Hayman]

I wondered if you would be interested to see a couple of short videos of features not demolished at Greenham Common. Although these days it's largely a common, the demolishers did leave behind a handful of the original installations

The first is of the Chlorination Building (what I call it). I understand it was used for the purification and chlorination of water from the nearby artesian well:




Secondly, the firefighters' practice plane and what I call the Bat Building, because at one time there was a sign on it advising people not to disturb the bats. More recently you could get inside it, and I know that people were sleeping rough in it. But in just the last few weeks it's been secured with iron panels:



Both are in 4K, so use that if you can. Hope you find them of interest.

Regarding the firefighters' practice plane, I recall an airport somewhere that had an old passenger jet for the fire crew to practice on. It was doused in (probably) kerosene which was lit and the alarm raised.

 

[Alansworld]

Newage: there are two bomb dumps associated with Greenham Common. Both are outside the main perimeter - one is quite close to it, just over the road, and is open to wanderers, though there's not a lot left to see. The other is a mile or so down the main road and then down a dead-end side road. You can't get into it now, but a few years ago I got in and spotted what were presumably bomb hoists or cranes. Now well overgrown.

 

[Mearing]

Regarding the firefighters' practice plane, I recall an airport somewhere that had an old passenger jet for the fire crew to practice on. It was doused in (probably) kerosene which was lit and the alarm raised.

Moreton on Marsh airfield is now the home of the Fire Service College. The runways there have all sorts of aircraft,vehicles etc burned and wrecked in simulated crash scenarios for training excercises.

 

[BikinGlynn]

Moreton on Marsh airfield is now the home of the Fire Service College. The runways there have all sorts of aircraft,vehicles etc burned and wrecked in simulated crash scenarios for training excercises.

I believe Predenakk is used similarly

 

[Mearing]

I believe Predenakk is used similarly

Thanks BG,I didn't know that, I only know about Moreton having flown over it on a cross country flight. Looks like a major disaster from above!

 

[Hayman]

Moreton on Marsh airfield is now the home of the Fire Service College. The runways there have all sorts of aircraft,vehicles etc burned and wrecked in simulated crash scenarios for training excercises.

This was a normal, fully operational civilian airport. The sight of the the fire tenders racing to the burning fuselage might not have endeared too many of those landing or about to take off to air travel.

 

[Home Front History]

I wondered if you would be interested to see a couple of short videos of features not demolished at Greenham Common. Although these days it's largely a common, the demolishers did leave behind a handful of the original installations

The first is of the Chlorination Building (what I call it). I understand it was used for the purification and chlorination of water from the nearby artesian well:




Secondly, the firefighters' practice plane and what I call the Bat Building, because at one time there was a sign on it advising people not to disturb the bats. More recently you could get inside it, and I know that people were sleeping rough in it. But in just the last few weeks it's been secured with iron panels:



Both are in 4K, so use that if you can. Hope you find them of interest.

Very interesting information. I was fortunate enough to have access to the site when it was still in military service with much of the WW2 infrastructure in place. Many of the temporary brick buildings had walls adorned with 'nose art' style paintings - the parachute drying tower still had all the original WW2 equipment intact. It was a sad day history wise when they moved the bulldozers in. A handful of original buildings remain, thankfully

 

[Hayman]

Very interesting information. I was fortunate enough to have access to the site when it was still in military service with much of the WW2 infrastructure in place. Many of the temporary brick buildings had walls adorned with 'nose art' style paintings - the parachute drying tower still had all the original WW2 equipment intact. It was a sad day history wise when they moved the bulldozers in. A handful of original buildings remain, thankfully

Imagine bulldozing Stonehenge "because it is no longer in use for its original purpose"!!!

 

[Zotez]

Newage: there are two bomb dumps associated with Greenham Common. Both are outside the main perimeter - one is quite close to it, just over the road, and is open to wanderers, though there's not a lot left to see. The other is a mile or so down the main road and then down a dead-end side road. You can't get into it now, but a few years ago I got in and spotted what were presumably bomb hoists or cranes. Now well overgrown.

The one a mile down the road always used to be accessible, the guy who owns the yard opposite told me the owners have no problem with people looking around

 

[Newage]

Always a way in to every where - just try harder...............