BBC - Wood Norton Training Facility (ETD) - (Pic Heavy)

[Derelict-UK]

**PIC HEAVY**

BBC Wood Norton was mainly used as the Engineering Training Department (ETD) where sound engineers would go on courses and learn important stuff.

A good history site (with pics) can be found here... http://www.bakerlite.co.uk/wood_norton.htm

The site also has it's very own Nuclear Bunker, surrounded by CCTV of all kinds, including the biggest ball camera I have seen for quite a while!

The bunker is linked to a few areas including the mast we saw at the top of the hill (aptly named, 'Tunnel Hill'), you can also see air vents located next to the mast (now used by Vodafone).

The BBC drafted in extra staff and equipment/generators back in 1999 in preparation for the Millennium Bug, which never actually did anything!

The bunker recently housed Radio 4 whilst a refit of the London studios was taking place.

Last year I tried to get more info/plans of the bunker under the Freedom of Information Act, but got this reply from the BBC...

We are withholding information relating to the BBC’s site at Wood Norton under section 24
(national security). If information about processes and equipment at emergency broadcasting sites
were disclosed, this could enable others to attack or disable our networks, or those operated to
provide services to us, and would possibly prevent us from delivering information to the public in
times of national emergency. This is the case whether or not the sites in question are still in use,
because even historical information is still relevant to the emergency broadcasting plans currently
in place.

Visited with The Engineer and DHL, A good days explore.

Pics...

'The Phoenix Club', Unfortunately Brian Potter wasn't around to say hello!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Ashbridge was one of the many accommodation blocks for the BBC employees....

8.

9.

10.

11.

12. BBC Wood Norton Kettle...

13. 'Wasp Massacre'

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Continued in the next post....

 

[Derelict-UK]

21.

22.

23. This little hut seemed to control a water pump (manual wheel to twist), to where, I do not know.

24.

25.

26. Yes, that is a big ass satellite!

27.

28.

This was the old open air swimming pool, it has since been filled in, check this link out to see it in it's prime.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/russell_w_b/3951703624/in/set-72157622441573530/

29.

30.

31.

Now we go and see if we can check out some of the other site...

32. The full on ANPR cam BBC bunker road block/gate/entrance...

33. One of the BBC buildings, this was the one with the mahoosive ball cam on, so we stayed clear!

34. The radio mast at the top of 'Tunnel Hill'...

35.

36. Air Vents?

37. A rather hefty door for a switch room don't you think?

D-UK

 

[john.med]

Woh,.................

 

[The Boosh!]

Sorry if i've missed your explanation but did you break in there?

Very cool anyway.

 

[theduck]

Excellent work as always!

 

[Derelict-UK]

Sorry if i've missed your explanation but did you break in there?

Very cool anyway.

no, we walked through a bush to get on to the accommodation blocks, and all doors were open into the buildings.

The communication mast was a little harder, only due to the fact we had to negotiate woodland and natures security (ie massive thorn bushes, which resulted in the use of my first aid kit!!).

 

[jenic]

Brilliantly interesting, and great photo's.

Would love to explore somewhere like this!

 

[drhowser]

You've just completely confused me there.

I've got 28dl open on one window and this on another!

Good work though mate! have to work a way into the bunker.

 

[Derelict-UK]

Thanks for the comments everyone

You've just completely confused me there.

I've got 28dl open on one window and this on another!

Good work though mate! have to work a way into the bunker.

May I ask what is confusing you? The bunker btw is still very much in use, on the active part of the facility.

 

[drhowser]

I was reading DHL's report at the same time, when I changed the window over I thought that cliosport had all signed up en mass. :approve:

 

[Krispwee]

I pass this place on the way to work! Awesome photos

 

[Scott™]

Great post and very interesting. It really gets my mind going lol. I can't believe these complexes exists in the state they are. Like that squash court for example.

 

[Derelict-UK]

I was reading DHL's report at the same time, when I changed the window over I thought that cliosport had all signed up en mass. :approve:

haha!

The good thing about this place is it's pretty much an arse to get to, so most kids will have never been to graffiti it up. Though the Pikies have done an excellent job in f*cking some of the site up...