When was the ROC post built?

The Stone Point Royal Observer Corps (ROC) post was installed in 1962. It was one of the underground monitoring posts built as part of the UK Warning & Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO), which was set up in 1957.

There were 1,563 similar monitoring posts around the country (later reduced to 870), including a one in a coal cellar in Windsor Castle.

Aims

  1. Warn the public of air attack
  2. Provide confirmation of nuclear strike
  3. Warn the public of the approach of radioactive fallout
  4. Supply the authorities in the UK and neighbouring countries in NATO with details of nuclear bursts and fallout
  5. Provide a post-attack meteorological service

Location

The ROC underground monitoring post is located next to the children's play area on the clifftop.

Restoring the post

In 2015, Lepe Country Park was awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to renovate the monitoring post. With support from the Cadland Estate, the Stone Point monitoring post has been restored to its original 1960s condition. This is when members of the ROC were first stationed there to monitor the effects of a nuclear blast should Britain come under attack.

An interactive periscope has been installed in in the top car park so that you can navigate the room below your feet. You can also select captions and images to find out about ROC equipment and routines.

Find out more by buying an informative brochure from The Shop.

Man looking into the interactive periscope