Monkton Farleigh: Difference between revisions
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==CAD Monkton Farleigh== |
==CAD Monkton Farleigh== |
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{{main|Hawthorn, Wiltshire}} |
{{main|Hawthorn, Wiltshire}} |
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During the 1930s, there was a recognition of a need to provide secure storage for munitions in the south of the [[United Kingdom]]. The easily hewn [[Bath stone]], a form of [[lime stone]], had created a number of large, horizontal, and relatively dry quarries around the [[Corsham]]. [[Monkton Farleigh]] quarry was renovated by the [[Royal Engineers]] as one of three major stockpiles, termed [[Central Ammunition Depot|Central Ammunition Depots (CAD)]]. The other CADs were at [[Nesscliffe]], [[Shropshire]] and northern England. |
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| ⚫ | In November 1937 the [[Great Western Railway]] were contracted to build a {{convert|1000|ft}} long raised loading platform at [[Shockerwick]], with sidings from the adjacent Bristol-London mainline at {{coord|51|24|19.31|N|2|17|22.94|W|region:GB|display=inline}}. {{convert|30|ft}} below and at right angles to this point, the |
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| ⚫ | In November 1937 the [[Great Western Railway]] were contracted to build a {{convert|1000|ft}} long raised twin-loading platform at [[Shockerwick]], with two sidings from the adjacent Bristol-London mainline branching off just outside the eastern entrance to the [[Box Tunnel]] at {{coord|51|24|19.31|N|2|17|22.94|W|region:GB|display=inline}}. {{convert|30|ft}} below and at right angles to this point, the MoD had built a narrow gauge wagon sorting yard. This was attached by a {{convert|1.25|mi}} tunnel built by the Cementation Company, descending at a rate of 1:8.5 to the Central Ammunition Depot, housed in the former mine workings. The whole logistics operation was designed to cope with a maximum of {{convert|1000|tonne}} of ammunition a day.<ref name=SubBrit/> |
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| ⚫ | The narrow gauge trucks |
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| ⚫ | The narrow gauge trucks would descend from the platform to the tunnel, where a heavy-duty [[conveyor belt]] (the depot was either taking in ammunition or putting out, never both at the same time), would propel the ammuntion directly to the appropriate storage gallery. The construction design meant that an explosive accident or detonation inside any one of the stores would not propagate throughout the ammunition storehouse. The conveyor belt, and the original cable-way used as a temporary instalation while the tunel was being built, ran 24/7 for 30 days in the run-up to [[D-Day]].<ref name=SubBrit/> |
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CAD Monkton Farleigh closed at the end of hostilities, although was kept in an operational condition until the 1950s. The sidings were then cleared, and not used again until the mid-1980s when a museum opened for s short period on the site. Today the north end of the tunel is sealed by a concrete and rubble instalation, while the former mine/CAD is used for secure commercial document storage.<ref name=SubBrit>{{cite web|url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/m/monkton_farleigh/index.shtml|title=CAD Monkton Farleigh|publisher=subbrit.org.uk|accessdate=2012-02-11}}</ref> |
CAD Monkton Farleigh closed at the end of hostilities, although was kept in an operational condition until the 1950s. The sidings were then cleared, and not used again until the mid-1980s when a museum opened for s short period on the site. Today the north end of the tunel is sealed by a concrete and rubble instalation, while the former mine/CAD is used for secure commercial document storage.<ref name=SubBrit>{{cite web|url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/m/monkton_farleigh/index.shtml|title=CAD Monkton Farleigh|publisher=subbrit.org.uk|accessdate=2012-02-11}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 14:23, 12 February 2012
| Monkton Farleigh | |
|---|---|
 St. Peter's church | |
| Population | 469 (2001 census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | ST805655 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bradford on Avon |
| Postcode district | BA15 |
| Dialling code | 01225 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament |
|
Monkton Farleigh is a small village in west Wiltshire, England, 3 miles (6 km) from Bradford-on-Avon, and 5 miles (8.0 km) from the city of Bath, Somerset.
It is known for its underground mines of Bath Stone, which were converted into one of the largest Ministry of Defence underground ammunition stores in the UK.[2]
The civil parish has 34 listed buildings, including:[3]
- Monkton Farleigh Manor (Grade I)[4]
- the Refectory at Monkton Farleigh Manor (Grade I ruin)[5]
- Church of St. Peter (Grade II*)[6]
CAD Monkton Farleigh
During the 1930s, there was a recognition of a need to provide secure storage for munitions in the south of the United Kingdom. The easily hewn Bath stone, a form of lime stone, had created a number of large, horizontal, and relatively dry quarries around the Corsham. Monkton Farleigh quarry was renovated by the Royal Engineers as one of three major stockpiles, termed Central Ammunition Depots (CAD). The other CADs were at Nesscliffe, Shropshire and northern England.
In November 1937 the Great Western Railway were contracted to build a 1,000 feet (300 m) long raised twin-loading platform at Shockerwick, with two sidings from the adjacent Bristol-London mainline branching off just outside the eastern entrance to the Box Tunnel at 51°24′19.31″N 2°17′22.94″W / 51.4053639°N 2.2897056°W. 30 feet (9.1 m) below and at right angles to this point, the MoD had built a narrow gauge wagon sorting yard. This was attached by a 1.25 miles (2.01 km) tunnel built by the Cementation Company, descending at a rate of 1:8.5 to the Central Ammunition Depot, housed in the former mine workings. The whole logistics operation was designed to cope with a maximum of 1,000 tonnes (1,100 tons) of ammunition a day.[7]
The narrow gauge trucks would descend from the platform to the tunnel, where a heavy-duty conveyor belt (the depot was either taking in ammunition or putting out, never both at the same time), would propel the ammuntion directly to the appropriate storage gallery. The construction design meant that an explosive accident or detonation inside any one of the stores would not propagate throughout the ammunition storehouse. The conveyor belt, and the original cable-way used as a temporary instalation while the tunel was being built, ran 24/7 for 30 days in the run-up to D-Day.[7]
CAD Monkton Farleigh closed at the end of hostilities, although was kept in an operational condition until the 1950s. The sidings were then cleared, and not used again until the mid-1980s when a museum opened for s short period on the site. Today the north end of the tunel is sealed by a concrete and rubble instalation, while the former mine/CAD is used for secure commercial document storage.[7]
References
- ^ Wiltshire Community History Monkton Farleigh Census Information. Retrieved on October 6, 2006.
- ^ Subterranean Cities Alan Bellows, Damn Interesting. November 8, 2005.
- ^ Monkton Farleigh at Wiltshire Community History from Wiltshire County Council. Retrieved on October 6, 2006.
- ^ "Monkton Farleigh Manor". Images of England. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
- ^ "Remains of the Refectory at Monkton Farleigh Manor". Images of England. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
- ^ "Church of St Peter". Images of England. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
- ^ a b c "CAD Monkton Farleigh". subbrit.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
External links
- Monkton Farleigh at Wiltshire Community History from Wiltshire County Council
- http://www.monkton-farleigh.co.uk/ – Promotional site and photo gallery for book Secret Underground Cities by Nick McCamley, including 162 pictures of Monkton Farleigh Mine underground ammunition dump
- http://www.wiltshirepast.net/ – Wiltshire Victoria County History
- St Peter's Church Website for the Church of St Peter in Monkton Farleigh, as part of the Benefice of Monkton Farleigh, South Wraxall and Winsley
- [1]
