WWII strongpoint in Aylsham (Norfolk)

[hamishsfriend]

This strongpoint, built against the north wall of Millgate mill. was constructed with concrete bags which are still in good condition. When at the start of WWII the control of flour milling was executed by the Ministry of Food, strongpoints were erected at strategic places. This one was built for the purpose of defending the Millgate bridge and it formed part of the Aylsham nodal point behind the II Corps FII demolition belt along the River Bure. Defence of Britain database site reference: S0005481.

This spot is much overgrown, and with little room to manouvre because the river is right behind, and without a wide-angle lens it was a tad difficult to get a shot that shows the whole structure which, I believe, is quite a rare survival.

 

[godzilla73]

Too true its rare - any shots of the inside?

 

[Curious Dragon]

Ooooo... I have never seen the concrete bags before, did it serve a particular purpose to replicate the sandbag look?

 

[hamishsfriend]

Too true its rare - any shots of the inside?

No shots of the interior, sorry, I don't know from where they went inside it when it was in use.

 

[Bunker Bill]

Thats a odd one, was there no door on the outside then, it doesn't look like it, perhaps they went in through the roof ?

 

[hamishsfriend]

Thats a odd one, was there no door on the outside then, it doesn't look like it, perhaps they went in through the roof ?

I guess they went in through the roof, there is no way into it from the side/s.

Defence of Britain database has the following and I am noticing they say 'sandbagged' and not concrete bags ....

Odd sandbagged strong point [feature] built up against mill - defending bridge.

Defences of Aylsham category 'A' nodal point in No.4 region. Cassini ref. G64, behind the II Corps FII demolition belt (the River Bure). [Part source: List of Nodal Points in Eastern Command, 1940 - PRO WO 199/544].

Construction, In the period 1940 1941

 

[cptpies]

Access was probably from within the mill. This type of defence post is very rare outside of Cumbria where a circular variety is known locally as a beehive pillbox.

 

[jonney]

Access was probably from within the mill. This type of defence post is very rare outside of Cumbria where a circular variety is known locally as a beehive pillbox.

There are a few beehive pillboxes in Northumberland as well mate, some on the beaches but most are slightly more inland

 

[cptpies]

My county name dyslexia has struck again. I meant Northumberland to start with.

 

[jonney]

My county name dyslexia has struck again. I meant Northumberland to start with.

It's old age mate it happens to us all lol...

 

[Munchh]

There's a previous sandbagged box thread here for those interested;

[ame]http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?p=168652#post168652[/ame]

I'd never seen one before this and understand them to be rare as already stated. Thanks for this.

 

[DigitalNoise]

An interesting little find, cheers!