On a serious note

[Steve-B]

I was quite concerned after a guy who had been detecting on one of the local beaches infoemed me that part of the old WWII defenses had collapsed.

The structure is on Climping beach in West Sussex, is made from concrete and includes firing slits, hrere cant be too many of these kind of structures left standing.

Can I ask, does archaeology consider structures dating from this period worth rescuing and preserving.

Secondly, how would I go about drawing attention to this, who would be the right people to approach.

I know its only relatively modern history, but I feel it is an important part of our local history dwon here.

Steve

http://www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[BAJR Host]

Yes definately... and you are right to highlight it..

http://www.britarch.ac.uk/projects/dob/index.html

I would talk to these people:
http://www.fsgfort.com/
The link on the CBA site is out of date sadly.


"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[Steve-B]

Cheers David, I have found the record for the site, but the condition described on the site is woefully wrong.

I think the next step will be to pop down there and get photographic evidence.

Thanks for the links.

http://www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[BAJR Host]

I sadly think the record on DoB is ... to be polite... up and down.. often just citing records that were previously collected .. (I know, when I looked at sites in my area!)

The best thing to do is definately go and take photos... with a scale -- a tape measure for example. and take photo with and without scale.. (a bit of a faff.. but means you have a clean and a measured shot)

plus try and take some measurements - and draw a plan .. - if ou can work out what type it is..

http://www.pillboxesuk.co.uk/

this bunch might also give some good advice. - and the site was updated in June.. so they are alive
info@pillboxesuk.co.uk

I used the make you pillbox for the YAC kids! so say thanks to them!

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[historic building]

Actually there are absolutely thousands of these things, as you can imagine when there is a long invasion coast to defend. Protection of these monuments, as I understand it, from working in other parts of the country, has focused upon collections of monuments and supporting groups, for example groups of pillboxes arranged to protect an airfield where the group in substantially intact. I am sure EH will not have forgotten invasion coast defences. Even scheduling cannot stop the sea.

[BAJR Host]

Call in Canute

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[historic building]

It was only Canute's advisors who believed the sea could be stopped.

[Oxbeast]

There is a great recent book on Suffolk's coastal defences. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Suffolks-Defende...1873592981

A great deal of attention is being paid to coastal/estuarine archaeology generally, as there is a recognition that it is at risk from erosion, climate change and development.

I agree on DoB database, though a lot of the errors have crept in from other databases, particularly when the feature is no longer extant. I often find that the recorded grid ref is wrong, for example, because it was originally written in a different co-ordinate system. Still, better a basic record than none at all, and thanks to Steve B for seeking to update the record. The local HER might also be interested in recieving this information...

[drpeterwardle]

Steve

If you send me your email address I will send you a pill box recording form and an example of a recording report can be found on http://historicenvironment.co.uk under projects Ramsgate

drpeterwardle@yahoo.co.uk

Peter

[Steve-B]

Cheers Peter, I intend to pop along and take pictures etc over this coming weekend.

My email address is steve@detector-distribution.co.uk

Many thanks for your help and for evryones suggestions.

HB, as you say, naturally scheduling will not stop the sea, even Canute proved to be ineffective with this particular party trick.

The reason I am more concerned is that the stretch of beach where this structure lies has been undergoing a lot of work for some time now, with new groynes etc being built.. theres no real reason other than neglect this has been allow to deteriorate.

As to the nature of this WWII sea defence, if you examine the hinterland you will soon discover that rather than being an isloated structure, this is actually a strategically placed and extensive first line defence against a landing force attacking Ford airfield (now Ford Prison), covering a stretch of the coast that is mainly farmland inbetween, Littlehampton and Middleton on Sea.




http://www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)