Joan M. Tindale
Cowling
Saturday, October 3, 2020 22:57 |
Observation Post near Cowling Pinnacle
Could anyone please enlighten me about the Observation Post photo (behind or near to Cowling Pinnacle) - was that Sutton's Post or Cowling's? Also could we have some more information on the photos from Mike Towers - great photos thanks for sharing them.
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Robin Longbottom
Oakworth
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 19:16 |
The bunker is officially listed as the Cowling ROC Post, but it is actually in Sutton. Cowling is the nearest village, so it would make sense give that as its location. I went down into it in the mid 1960's when it had been left unlocked. There were bunks, table and chairs and a siren. We didn't stop down there long as we didn't want to get caught. It appeared to be abandoned. I think the only other local one is Redcar ROC Post, which is in the field just beyond Keighley Tarn on the road to Steeton. |
Robin Longbottom
Oakworth
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 08:26 |
The Royal Observer Corps Monitoring Post at Cowling Pinnacle is a rather chilling reminder of the Cold War, 1947-1991. It was built for the Corp's nuclear reporting role and large numbers were established across the country following the construction of a prototype at Farnham in Surrey in 1955.
About half, including the Cowling Post, were abandoned in 1968 and the remainder were closed in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its satellite countries.
Many older readers will remember how close we came to nuclear war with the Cuban Crisis in 1962. Some will also recall the slogan "HANDS OFF CUBA SAVE WORLD PEACE" that was painted on the parapet of the canal bridge at Cononley Lane End.
There had also been a World War II Observer Post on Stott Hill Moor, used to identify and track enemy aircraft from 1939-1945. Little of it remains today.
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Joan M. Tindale
Cowling
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 22:00 |
Thanks for this information - I was just about to ask this query again - wondered why post SD 98594289 was registered in Cowling, when its situated in Sutton? Also was Cowling's post at Rose Top on Piper Lane registered? - the central post still remains I think. I can send photos of Cowling's ROC in WW2, one taken at the post, the other at the crag top nearby. A few of us were under the impression that the Cowling ROC used a bunker just over the wall which used to be a high stile, now a kissing gate - the Cowling post was manned for 24 hrs. per day during WW2. Joan (now living in Sutton!) |
