Building record MYO2811 - Cold War period Royal Observer Corps Group Headquarters, Howe Hill
Summary
Location
Grid reference | SE 5805 5154 (point) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SE55SE |
Unitary Authority | City of York, North Yorkshire |
Civil Parish | York, City of York, North Yorkshire |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
NMR Information:
SE 5806 5155. ROC No.20 Semi-sunken protected headquarters was built within the orchard to the rear of the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works office at Shelly House, Acomb. It was opened on 16th December 1961 and remained fully active until the standown of the ROC on 30th September 1991. In addition to the headquarters there is a single storey brick building, which was used for Group administration and training, adjacent to this is floor slab of a demolished structure.
The headquarters is in good condition, although liable to flooding, and retains many of its original features and fittings. It has been recorded by ground photography. (1)
Scheduled. (2)
Defence of Britain non invasion database number 5626. (3)
The bunker is fully equipped with all of the equipment left behind after it closed in 1991. Scheduled. (4)
Article on the group headquarter's role within the Royal Observer Corps, its function in plotting nuclear explosions and fallout and a detailed description of the structure itself, and a short section in its resoration as a Guarduanship site in the care of English Heritage. The semi-sunken structure comprised 3 levels, two of which were below ground, with the entrance block and decontamination facilities above ground. The mid level included dormitories, a small kitchen, a canteen, toilets plant room etc ; whilst the lowest level was for the actual control room and wireless room. Later changes centred around the installation of automatic sensing eqippment to enable data gathering to contiunue if the bunker was not fully staffed. The article is illustrated with plans and photographs. (5)
The English Heritage Guide to the No. 20 Group ROC Headquarters, known more popularly as the "York Cold War Bunker", includes a "tour" of the facilities and explains the historical context of the Cold War. It includes a section drawing and plan of the different levels and has numerous illustrations from the bunker and of the wider Cold War. (6)
1 Field Investigators Comments Wayne D Cocroft/29-MAR-2000/EH: Cold War Project
2 Scheduled Monument Notification 21-Jun-00
3 Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources The two databases developed by the Project can be searched on-line through the Archaeology Data Service at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/dob/index.cfm
4 Subterranea: The Magazine of Subterranea Britannica 48-9 18-Jan-09
5 English Heritage Historical Review 136-147 3, 2008 Article by Roger JC Thomas: 'No. 20 Group Royal Observer Corps Protected Headquarters, York 1961-1991'
6 York Cold War Bunker [Guide] Roger JC Thomas
Related events:
(UID 1444724 ) THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN PROJECT
Measured Survey
APR-1995 - MAR-2002
(UID 1084334) RCHME: COLD WAR PROJECT
Measured Survey
01-JUN-1997
Sources/Archives (0)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Mar 10 2020 12:23PM