Restored Pillboxes

Living on the Somerset levels we are surrounded by many pillboxes, we often walk the stoplines and I take photos as we find the pillboxes not only to make a record of them but to also catalogue the deteriation.

But, its got me thinking about what happens when these pillboxes are too far gone to do anything with? Are there plans around the country to preserve this part of our heritage?

It also got me thinking, what would be involved in restoring a pillbox? Purchasing, restoration costs, what grants would be available, volunteers etc?

 

Rootes75,

This is probably the definitive site for the issues around pillboxes: The Pillbox Study Group Website. and there appears to be a section Rescue Archaeology | The Pillbox Study Group Website. My recollection is that one enthusiast, John Hellis lives in Somerset.

 

I suggest you join the PSG its only £10 a year. I get my very interesting Loophole magazine a few times a year and the group is very experienced.
Re Pillboxs a number do have bats in and a few are made into a bat sanctuary
See here
Pillbox, Withey Beds, Moor Park, Herts

 

One of our friends has a total of around 4 Pillboxes on their land, at a recent VE Day event he mentioned that its a shame they are neglected.

As I said to him though, they are all along a riverbank in his fields. The access to them is across his land without trackways so they'd be difficult to do anything with. Not impossible, but difficult.

 

Back in the '70s I visited a site where a Panther turret had been installed to cover a valley that was an approach to the local town in northern Italy. The locals told me there was talk of restoring it but I lost track of the project after I left Sicily.

 

About 10 years ago I enquired at a former Rest Home for weary WW2 airmen, if there was any kind of plaque, no was the answer, but the young (25 ?) lady at the Reception told me that her and her husband spend a lot of time searching-out WW2 Pillboxes and photographing them ! Weekends and even when on holiday. Good For Them ! Hope they're still doing that...!

 

I know its on a completely different scale but as a family we visit Jersey every summer and seeing the restoration/preservation of some of the bunkers and bunker complexes over there really makes me think that something more should be done here.

 

When I was stationed in Sicily I saw a few. Syracuse had some multi-storey defenses. Seemed like good targets for the long guns off shore, but they were intact. They were on the water front and in a populated area, so we probably went around them.

 

I totally agree. I know of a few old pillboxes, that I visit yearly, and it's quite sad to see them simply falling apart.

 

This is very much an interest of mine and have been walking stoplines, visiting pillboxes and researching them for 25 years or so. The bigger danger seems to be their demolition by the landowners for development, tidying up etc. Yes some are undermined on cliffs, riverbanks etc but it is often those in remote locations which are in the best condition.

 

You cannot save all the WW2 structures
However as I suggested join the PSG we have about 300 members and you will see exactly how individuals document all relevant WW2 structures
I have logged many structures here as have other forum members

pillboxes | WW2Talk

 

I've done a lot with Sussex Military Research - we operate ethically, so always have landowner permission up front, have insurance, submit a WSI (Written Statement of Investigation, ie, aims/methodology), risk assessment etc. We work closely with landowners, the County Archaeologist/HER (Historic Environment Record) team and whatever authorities are impacted by what we do. (Environment Agency, National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, etc.)

Sadly, we also have to liaise very closely with Sussex Police as there's a lot of anti-social behaviour around pillboxes, such as litter and graffiti vandalism. However, there's also damage, such as removing vegetation and digging without permission. The biggest problem right now is the social media-fuelled drive to visit as many sites as possible, just to prove you've been there (No, I don't understand it either...). Just recently, somebody has gone on a rampage across Sussex, ripping ivy off pillboxes (damaging some brickwork in the process), sawing branches off trees and snapping saplings off - mostly on private land and without permission, just to take some pretty poor photos.

We work to interpret sites, whether that just means doing a survey, removing vegetation or excavation. Once finished, we submit a report to the HER team so that the site is officially recorded for posterity in the records. In some cases we design interpretation boards.

It's a bit of a myth that all landowners are looking to demolish pillboxes; most I've spoken to are actually interested, once you can tell them something about the heritage on their land. Those who have no interest are generally angry and fed up that people constantly trespass on their land and cut the vegetation without asking first.

I've included some photos of some of our activities, but you can browse the database on our website at:
http://www.sussexmr.co.uk/projects.php

You can also check out the UK Second World War Heritage website at:
https://ukswwh.wordpress.com/
It's a work in progress, but the 'Saving Sites Guide' section will show you how to get involved wherever you are in the UK and make a difference in preserving Second World War heritage.

If you're on Facebook, the UKSWWH group is where you can ask about anything related to UK SWW heritage sites and assets. All are welcome - from seasoned professional to anyone just starting out. There's no such thing as a stupid question, so feel free to ask away!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/UKSWWHeritage

- Pete

 

I've had an interest in pillboxes since I was in single figures of age. I remember, wherever we were on holiday, trying to find if there were any pillboxes around.

I spotted this one on Forest Park's land, Cromer....

Not been there for a few years, so not sure how it's doing but, whilst overgrown, it was still standing last time I saw it .