rizla01
Member
Today, I travelled once again to Rochford in Essex (Just 3 miles inland from Southend on Sea) but this time armed with camera as I had noticed that there was a way of gaining easy entry into this, now empty, building. (Wasn't me Guv, honest).
As I stood back to take a full frontal of the building I noticed a young Council Workman replacing a road sign and I had a little chat with him about the new road signs looking TOO new for Rochford. (A Medieval town) He agreed and after a few more words, went on my way (That was relevant, you will see).
Took a few more outside photos and had a good nose around ………….and then as if by magic I was inside. Ok. Began shooting whatever I could find of interest then found my way to the front desk office and after that went into the front entrance lobby. Turned to position myself for a couple of good shots and heard a click. The inner bloody door has closed behind me. OH SHI-I-I-T!!!.
If you have ever been to the local pig farm you will perhaps, have noticed that the front counter is fully accessible to the public but to go BEYOND that point, you have to be let in - meaning no way back in and no way out the front as it is locked and padlocked. No screwdriver or other tools. I am a lone venturer, so no assistance there, No mobile phone, and the thought of smashing glass (which is probably toughened (think about it) didn't seem a likely escape route. What the F*** do I do now?
Tell me, what would be going through YOUR mind right now?
In desperation I looked up & down left & right studied every bit of plastic fixing that there was, searched empty pockets for items that I know aren't in my possession yet hoped would somehow appear, I then thought about trying to alert a passer by (This is NOT a well walked bit of road) and then noticed my new found mate, the Council Worker! I hammered on the door and kept hammering hoping that the traffic on this busy junction would ease long enough for him to hear me and sure enough, he did. Unsure at first why I might be beckoning him he eventually crossed the road and came to the front door.
Boy was I relieved whilst at the same time concerned that he just might be one of those ‘Holier than thou’ type of ‘Do-gooder’ and call the Police???
I had to shout loudly giving instruction on how to get into the building and he dutifully went off back to his truck. (Great I thought, he’s not going to help), but he had only gone to lock the truck up.
Moments later the inner door opened and before I had the chance to explain my reasons for being there, like a jack-rabbit, he was gone. I hardly had time to thank him before he was out of the building. Must have been a pretty worrying thing for him to do – breaking into a Police Station like that. I didn’t even get a chance to bung him a drink.
Make sure that don't happen to you - you might not be as lucky.
Anyway, I shall conclude my exciting day after the photos (Yep more excitement to follow but quite the norm really – you’ll see).
Sadly there is not really any interesting architecture to see but being an establishment that gives most of us a degree of foreboding (or pure hatred) its content obviously has interest of its own. A bit like kicking the establishment in the nuts. Like prodding the wasp nest with a stick. (I’m sure you know where I’m coming from.)
Just one final warning - there is a basement to be photographed where I suspect the Jails are (and Kilroy is probably still incarcerated ) but you will need wellies and probably a torch. The water is approx 2-4” deep and I wasn’t prepared to get my feet wet.
Rochford Police Station (Now decommissioned) South Street, Rochford.
Building was constructed in 1909 and has the Essex Coat of Arms on both left & right roofline
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Definitely lots of boring stuff hence the huge number of pics (Quantity not Quality, I'm afraid)
Anyway, to conclude, I slunk out one of the side entrances trying to look 'Normal' and blend in to the street out front,difficult as it was totally devoid of any other human being, when all of a sudden I heard the sound of the 'Blues & Two's' coming in my direction. I looked back and sure enough, the squad car was in a big hurry. He then turned off the main road into, you guessed it, South Street, where I was. Resigning myself to the embarrassment to follow was quite pleased when the car sped past but still I took a slightly different route - just in case. I'd used up my braveness for the day, I felt.
As I stood back to take a full frontal of the building I noticed a young Council Workman replacing a road sign and I had a little chat with him about the new road signs looking TOO new for Rochford. (A Medieval town) He agreed and after a few more words, went on my way (That was relevant, you will see).
Took a few more outside photos and had a good nose around ………….and then as if by magic I was inside. Ok. Began shooting whatever I could find of interest then found my way to the front desk office and after that went into the front entrance lobby. Turned to position myself for a couple of good shots and heard a click. The inner bloody door has closed behind me. OH SHI-I-I-T!!!.
If you have ever been to the local pig farm you will perhaps, have noticed that the front counter is fully accessible to the public but to go BEYOND that point, you have to be let in - meaning no way back in and no way out the front as it is locked and padlocked. No screwdriver or other tools. I am a lone venturer, so no assistance there, No mobile phone, and the thought of smashing glass (which is probably toughened (think about it) didn't seem a likely escape route. What the F*** do I do now?
Tell me, what would be going through YOUR mind right now?
In desperation I looked up & down left & right studied every bit of plastic fixing that there was, searched empty pockets for items that I know aren't in my possession yet hoped would somehow appear, I then thought about trying to alert a passer by (This is NOT a well walked bit of road) and then noticed my new found mate, the Council Worker! I hammered on the door and kept hammering hoping that the traffic on this busy junction would ease long enough for him to hear me and sure enough, he did. Unsure at first why I might be beckoning him he eventually crossed the road and came to the front door.
Boy was I relieved whilst at the same time concerned that he just might be one of those ‘Holier than thou’ type of ‘Do-gooder’ and call the Police???
I had to shout loudly giving instruction on how to get into the building and he dutifully went off back to his truck. (Great I thought, he’s not going to help), but he had only gone to lock the truck up.
Moments later the inner door opened and before I had the chance to explain my reasons for being there, like a jack-rabbit, he was gone. I hardly had time to thank him before he was out of the building. Must have been a pretty worrying thing for him to do – breaking into a Police Station like that. I didn’t even get a chance to bung him a drink.
Make sure that don't happen to you - you might not be as lucky.
Anyway, I shall conclude my exciting day after the photos (Yep more excitement to follow but quite the norm really – you’ll see).
Sadly there is not really any interesting architecture to see but being an establishment that gives most of us a degree of foreboding (or pure hatred) its content obviously has interest of its own. A bit like kicking the establishment in the nuts. Like prodding the wasp nest with a stick. (I’m sure you know where I’m coming from.)
Just one final warning - there is a basement to be photographed where I suspect the Jails are (and Kilroy is probably still incarcerated ) but you will need wellies and probably a torch. The water is approx 2-4” deep and I wasn’t prepared to get my feet wet.
Rochford Police Station (Now decommissioned) South Street, Rochford.
Building was constructed in 1909 and has the Essex Coat of Arms on both left & right roofline
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Definitely lots of boring stuff hence the huge number of pics (Quantity not Quality, I'm afraid)
Anyway, to conclude, I slunk out one of the side entrances trying to look 'Normal' and blend in to the street out front,difficult as it was totally devoid of any other human being, when all of a sudden I heard the sound of the 'Blues & Two's' coming in my direction. I looked back and sure enough, the squad car was in a big hurry. He then turned off the main road into, you guessed it, South Street, where I was. Resigning myself to the embarrassment to follow was quite pleased when the car sped past but still I took a slightly different route - just in case. I'd used up my braveness for the day, I felt.
Anyway, no further problems and my afternoons enjoyment was concluded
I hope someone will take benefit from this post and be tempted to do the same.Water supply is running (Toilets are good) And there is power to lights and mains. Feel free to go into the canteen and relax with a couple of interview tapes played on the still working Tv & VCR player. If you feel brazen enough why not take some T bags and milk. There is a kettle and cups, still.
How about a photo of a few of you with feet up on the desk?
Anyway, thanks for reading and to anyone feeling tempted
GOOD LUCK
I hope someone will take benefit from this post and be tempted to do the same.Water supply is running (Toilets are good) And there is power to lights and mains. Feel free to go into the canteen and relax with a couple of interview tapes played on the still working Tv & VCR player. If you feel brazen enough why not take some T bags and milk. There is a kettle and cups, still.
How about a photo of a few of you with feet up on the desk?
Anyway, thanks for reading and to anyone feeling tempted
GOOD LUCK
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Some really good pics and a really interesting writeup! Thanks for posting!
