Sometimes a chance conversation can have unexpected and very positive effects, and that’s exactly what has happened with the disused nuclear bunkers on the Swynnerton Training Area in Staffordshire.
My name is Jim Salisbury and I’m the Training Safety Officer here at Swynnerton where I work for DIO SD Training as part of DIO. It’s a job I’ve been doing for about 13 years following a career in the Army where I served with the infantry. Whilst serving I had trained at Swynnerton on many occasions and used the Defence estate extensively. I can recall the area of the bunkers being of special interest as the curiosity of them being closed off to us but still having maintenance raised a few questions as to what their use was. We did find out they were still actively maintained then for use by the Government as a regional centre in case of any nuclear conflict and it was only in the late nineties that they went out of use.
![One of the bunkers at Swynnerton Training Area. [Crown Copyright/MOD2017]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/08/Screen-Shot-2017-08-07-at-16.21.17.png)
![Lt Townsend. [Crown Copyright/MOD2017]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/08/Screen-Shot-2017-08-07-at-16.26.17.png)
History of the bunker
Most of the complex has been locked-up for almost thirty years. Almost everything inside has been removed, however the two diesel engines were left intact. The site started life as a Royal Ordnance ammunition factory during WW2. In 1962 two of the nine semi-sunken explosives magazines were turned into the Civil Defence Control centre for North Staffordshire. The complex included offices, control and communication rooms and accommodation all designed to be used in the event of a nuclear attack. It also had its own water supply from a bore-hole and an air filtration system.
By the end of the 1960s this Civil Defence function was moved elsewhere, but in the 1980s amid a new wave of Cold War concern the bunkers came back into use. This time they became the emergency Regional Government Headquarters (RGHQ) for the West Midlands.
The labyrinth of rooms and passages were updated to sustain a team of military and civilian staff. The complex had a radio studio, dormitories, kitchen and canteen facilities plus numerous storerooms.
With the end of the Cold War came the closure of what’s now become known as the ‘Nuclear Bunker’. So for almost twenty years it’s been locked up – an empty lifeless labyrinth, which by torch light has quite an eerie feel.
So last year Lt Lee Townsend and his father, Lt Commander Graham Townsend, came to see me with the idea of getting the engines working again. Their initial thoughts were based around a project which could be carried out by the cadets: something which would provide realistic engineering training. I thought it was a great idea and immediately offered my support.
![One of the engines. [Crown Copyright/MOD2017]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/08/Screen-Shot-2017-08-07-at-16.24.00.png)
Together with Army Signallers from MoD Stafford, the Sea Cadets and staff from Perkins, the first of the two engines has been brought back to life.
We obviously now have high hopes of getting the second engine running and then we can think seriously about using that electricity to allow the complex to be used again.
So from small conversations an amazing partnership has been developed, and besides the physical results has also proved to be an inspiration to many of the sea Cadets involved in the project, with some now talking about a career in engineering because of what they’ve achieved.
7 comments
Comment by Darren Parr posted on
It's interesting to learn that these bunkers have been brought back into partial use. I remember them from my RAF days when I underwent a week's exercise here during my traing for the RAF's Tactical Supply Wing. I didn't see much of them, suffice to say we passed close by to them twice.
Comment by Anthony Hand posted on
I was on a weeks camp there as an army cadet back around 1972 (6th cadet battalions, Royal Regiment of fusiliers, Washwood Heath, Birmingham)
The place was incredible!!! , loose ammo everywhere
The buildings in various states of disrepair .
We practiced field craft, map reading whilst lugging a 303 Lee Enfield around! Brilliant 👍 !!
Also Otterburn,Leek and Bodmin moor !
Comment by HB posted on
I remember going down the ‘hole’ at Swynnerton Trg Area for a few days during my first annual camp with the TA in 1980 as part of the signals backup for RGHQ. A very strange experience.
We also used the training area for many exercises in the 1980’s.
Comment by Suzanne Campbell posted on
My father, Gordon Clifford Mountford, was employed at Swynnerton during the second World War.He worked underground building the factory. Sadly he died shortly after the war, most probably as a result of exposure to asbestos and beta napthol in a small space.
I think of his contribution to the war effort with pride.
Suzie Campbell
Comment by DIO Communications Team posted on
As you should! Sorry for your loss.
Comment by Adrian Mills posted on
As a TA soldier in the 80s we used the indoor QCB range a few times they called it strife street if i remember . All the camp roads wore for training to drive on the on the right hand side of the road which was a bit unusual . Most of the camp was out of bounds to us so never got the chance to explore .
Comment by Sarah Irving posted on
The town of Stone has a new heritage centre/museum on the Joules site - it would be great to see some of this represented in the displays. It's an important bit of local history!