Last week’s forecast had been bad enough, deterring many folk from availing themselves of free birthday beers. This week’s forecast was even worse and so correspondingly fewer riders ventured out on Martin W’s rural Essex tour. In fact, only six riders donned their rain outfits and ventured out from Chequers at Matching Green for a visit to the top secret nuclear bunker at Kelvedon Hatch.
To begin with, the rain held off, by and large, as Martin’s ‘flat’ ride took us over Toot Hill and Ladys Hill with their splendid views of the surrounding countryside. Finally we arrived at Kelvedon Hatch and its ‘secret bunker’ from the cold war era, now a tourist destination with an honesty box café and gift shop.
Martin had arranged for us to gain entry through the quiet back gate where we arrived at the original bungalow beneath which the bunker had been built. We had to backtrack a bit to find the café entrance through a narrow tunnel.
There was not enough time to take the official tour, but there was plenty of information on hand from Charles who had worked with the logistics of this site (amongst his many other roles). One of five similar facilities alongside the main government and MoD centres, apparently.
The bunker was built in the early 1950s, initially as an RAF radar station but from the late 1950s and early 1960s it served as one of Britain’s potential emergency regional government HQs, and the MoD (Charles) kept the bunker in working condition for a good three decades.
In the early 1990s, however, the Kelvedon Hatch bunker was decommissioned. The property was handed back to the original landowners and it has since been turned into the present museum.
On emerging through the entrance tunnel, we were reminded of why there were only six riders out today. It was rainy and not particularly warm ! With all layers on, it was heads down survival riding back to the pub. Temporary chaos ensued in the men’s toilet as wet layers were discarded in favour of dry clothes.
Thankfully for the rest of the clientele, no one need to use the loo at that point. Also thankfully for them we had been seated about as far from the other customers as was possible and so the traditional off key “Happy Birthday, dear Alan” didn’t disturb anyone. A well earned lunch and birthday beer.
Martin, Rod, Nigel, Alan, Graham, Charles. Paul joined in the bunker stop.
The Windmill Cycle Club 