Restoration Of The Tulk‘s Hill Observation Pillbox
When you have been married to a ‘Pillbox Spotter’ for as long as I have then you will understand that `concrete-itis` is just part of life`s rich tapestry and that it`s quite normal to drive around the countryside peering over hedges!
If you haven`t guessed by now then I am the former PSG Webmaster’s better half and since our return back to Dorset in 2006, Graham has been dragging me around the county looking at many of the pillboxes that he reported to the Defence of Britain Project back in the mid 90’s. It was on a visit back to our all time favourite pillbox at Tulk’s Hill, overlooking Chesil Beach, that we decided that we should give it a good clean up and remove 10 years worth of beer cans etc.
Looking east along Chesil Beach to Portland
Looking west towards Lyme Regis.
What is so unusual about this pillbox is that it has 3 large ‘panoramic’ windows, which were obviously used by the observers living inside to view a huge area of Chesil Beach.
The only way of getting the huge amount of mud from the inside was for Graham to shovel out of the windows!
Here`s a bit that missed the window but found the sill! Note the still intact wooden window frame which has been here since 1940.
He`s looking a little surprised at being on the receiving end of a photograph for a change.
Gavin doing a fantastic job cleaning off the brick entrance steps. We were very careful to preserve the live ferns growing on the side wall.
The end of a couple of afternoons work with the pillbox looking good after 60 odd years of neglect.
Why not get your family together and adopt a pillbox near you. Take a picnic and give it a really good clean up.
It`s a really rewarding task and I have to be honest and say that I really enjoyed my ‘pillboxing’ days.
Carol A. Matthews
West Dorset