Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
The mast with the pyramid at the base is operated by the Royal Signals, to the best of my knowledge. I presume it is/was involved in communications with BAOR in Germany. All of the microwave dishes have been taken down in recent years.
The other remaining mast is used by broadcasters for VHF FM transmissions, and by mobile phone operators.
The fourth mast was knocked down years ago. I think it was used by the Coastguard and became surplus to their requirements when they built their own mast by the Coastguard station.
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/swingate.php
The masts originally supported the transmitting aerials for the Chain Home radar system. These were wire aerials strung between massive platforms at the top and half way down. The idea of having four masts was to have four independent aerial systems with the wire aerials cut to the correct dimensions for different wavelengths.
In the event of jamming by the Germans, it would then be easy to shift frequency and transfer immediately to the matched aerial system on one of the other masts. In the event, jamming was not a problem and improved aerial arrays were strung between the masts.
An example of one of the radar masts in its original form has been preserved. It was originally at Canewdon and was reconstructed at Great Baddow near the Marconi factory in Chelmsford.
http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/pdf/7/m/Great_Baddow_Mast_A4.pdf
When the remaining two masts are surplus to requirements, it would be gratifying to see one preserved in similar fashion, with the platforms and aerial arrays similarly reconstructed. Swingate was the closest Chain Home station to France and was of pivotal importance in the Battle of Britain and subsequently. The CH stations were very early technology and became less important later in the war but enjoyed a late flowering when their characteristics made them ideal for tracking the ballistic trajectories of the V2 missiles in the closing stages of WW2.
Any preservation is wishful thinking of course as there is already so much history in Dover that is ignored and covered up. The last of the transmitter masts at Bawdsey Manor, where all the research was conducted, was torn down ten years ago so the chances of one being preserved at Dover are remote to say the least.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/fight-lost-to-save-battle-of-britain-radar-mast-698653.htmlGuest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Thanks Ed - as usual a good informative posting.
It will be a massive shame if they can't be saved.
They saved the power station chimneys at Richborough; these 3 sisters played a much more positive part in our local and National history and should be preserved.
There has been too much knocking down historic buildings.
Roger
What on earth did they save the Richborough eyesore's for? They completely spoil the vista.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Sid You are right with that one just like Berlington house is to our Town, but I think some time ago I was told the towers could not come down in the way it was planned because of the two fuel outlets on each side of the road, they both have big fuel tanks,but that might not be true.
,
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
I don't think the Richborough Towers were saved as such as I remember it being in the press and TV and people were waiting for moment that they came down. They are also a major landmark and I always remember them being a sign that we were nearly home
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
Here is a mobile phone photo taken this afternoon showing the remnant two sisters with the coastguard mast off to their left.
The other photo is one taken from France using a telephoto lens by the same German army photographic unit which took the one Scotchie posted above. It shows a gaggle of ME109's flying past the Chain Home radar masts during the Battle of Britain and probably still unaware that these were enabling their every move to be plotted. The four transmitter masts are in the centre and three of the four receiving masts are shown on the right. The latter were wooden masts supporting receiving dipoles.
When this chain of radar stations was erected all around the coast, the cover story was that they were Radio Direction Finding stations for use by merchant ships and they were consequently referred to as RDF until the later term RADAR was adopted. When the Germans belatedly realised that they were radar masts and started bombing and shelling them, the masts proved remarkably resilient to damage as it was very difficult to achieve a direct hit and the blasts from near misses tended to pass harmlessly through the open latticework.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
A standard reply from DDC so far....
SUBJECT: Demolition of masts
LOCATION: Arqiva Transmitter Station, Swingate, St. Margarets
Thank you for your recent communication.
The matter you raise will be investigated. A Planning Investigation Officer will visit the site
and make enquires to find out whether a breach of planning control has occurred.
Depending on his findings, we will decide whether any action is necessary.
Please note the following:
• It is possible that permission is not required under planning legislation. Many minor
developments can be carried out under "permitted development" rights. However, if it is
required, we may invite an application without prejudice.
• If there is no permission, legal action is not automatic and we are likely to take such
action only if the breach causes sufficient planning harm. We cannot take into account
civil issues such as private rights of way, the position of boundaries and covenants on
the deeds of a property.
• Normally, we cannot stop unauthorised building works or uses immediately. Matters
often take time to investigate thoroughly. If a legal notice is served, the recipient has a
right of appeal which can lengthen the process considerably.
We will do our best to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. If you require further
information or have not received confirmation within eight weeks, please contact the above
named officer.
Yours
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
I`ve quite taken to those Richborough power station tower`s, as they can be seen for mile`s around. There`s nothing else in the flat boring landscape to replace them. Years from now, they may become tourist attractions, or may even be converted into living space like our old `oast houses`. I wonder how many citizen`s of the past found oast houses an eyesore? These cooling towers will disappear from all over the country one day, and these Richborough example`s may become unique. Equally, these masts on the clifftop may have looked an eyesore in the post war period and after, but who then would have thought of people in the future making a fuss to save them? A country that destroys it`s past has no future? Very interesting picture`s above.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
fully agree colin, martello towers are not architecturally important but we do like them, very interesting when someone buys one and renovates it.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
...and then there was two...
Been nice knowing you :)
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
you can evan see them from certain points in whitfield on a clear day.richborough towers that is.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
Funny old world. Money can be found to knock thing`s down, with the associated cost of employing someone to do it, and the environmentally safe removal of the material, to an authorised disposal place under brussel`s directive number 12345678.... As I`ve said before, we`re lucky the castle walls are two foot thick!
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
i allways thought that the normans [freanch to you] built in meters.
Would that be gas, water, or electric meters Brian?
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
no sid meters as metric measurement.but if you want your gas,electric,water measured in meters you can,but you have to pay in euros not sterling.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
So, is there some brainless individual we can point the finger at here, or was it a joint decision for this act of sacrilege?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Oh good picture there Scotchie..I might be borrowing that one off you.
Very interesting posts and pictures all round. I didnt know myself that people were so attached to these 'sisters'.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
PaulB, since that boring topic thread on here, I`ve been actively getting a number of manhole covers listed status, as item`s of historical interest.
I think anything made of metal we like to preserve.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Brian, you mean METRES!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that old black and white in post 26 would have brought back some spine chilling memories to older dovorians.
Been nice knowing you :)
