Calling up town’s underground past

3:43pm Wednesday 26th September 2007

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In the 1950s, it was feared Gravesend could be the target of a Soviet nuclear strike. CHARLOTTE McDONALD finds out more about its Cold War bunker.

RUSSIA became a nuclear power in 1949 and in the ensuing years local authorities tried to prepare for a possible attack.

Gravesend was considered a possible target of a Russian nuclear bomb as it was near a naval base at Chatham, Tilbury and Northfleet power stations and Tilbury docks.

This led to the building in 1954 of an underground command post in Woodlands Park, Wrotham Road, Gravesend.

From here, the rescue and emergency services were to be co-ordinated in the event of an attack.

The bunker lay prepared for the next 16 years but by 1970 it was closed and another bunker was created under the present Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend.

The former bunker became a storage spot for council files.

But five years ago it was refurbished and equipped to look as it did in the 1950s and 1960s.

Now visitors are able to look around the bunker on pre-arranged guided trips.

Gravesend's bunker is not quite so hidden and deep as might be expected of a structure which was supposed to survive the fallout of a nuclear bomb.

Situated in a well-kept park, the frame of the bunker can be seen protruding out of the ground.

Tour guide Victor Smith, director of Thames Defence Heritage, said: "This bunker was never intended to be secret.

"The whole community knew it was being built. Walking by, you could see what was going on. Of course many people at the time thought it was a bolt hole for councillors and their families."

It is an odd contrast to be surrounded by grass and trees one moment, before descending the concrete steps into the dark oppressive bunker with its dim old-fashioned lighting.

The bunker's operation rooms include gadgets of the time such as teleprinters and wall-to-wall telephone posts.

As well as the rooms dedicated to operational side of the bunker, the dormitories, kitchen and bathrooms are also on display.

The personal effects used to dress the rooms give an idea of what living down there would have been like for the 40 or so people who were intended to man it.

There are photos and magazines along with women's underwear hung out to dry on string tied from wall to wall across the dorm and bathroom.

Mr Smith said: "If this bunker was open for the public to wander round on their own, we'd have to take a lot of these pieces out, but since there is someone here giving them a tour it means we can leave more items on display."

The tour guide even lets visitors have a go at sounding the small, portable air raid siren.

They can also watch a Government film advising the population on how to prepare for a nuclear attack.

Tours cost £3.50 per person.

To book a place, call Towncentric, Gravesend's tourist and heritage information centre, on 01474 337600.

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