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Matchams Lane, CHRISTCHURCH, BH23 6AN

A larger building is also on the site, it's not known what purpose it served, although it's obviously a wartime building contemporary with the nurses quarters. Perhaps associated with the former Station Sick Quarters site rather than the nurses accommodation. Update: Atlantikwall website www.atlantikwall.co.uk states that this building was the Ambulance garage and mortuary. It was therefore part of the Station Sick Quarters. Image

Also on the half-acre site is a small bunker type building that has been described as a concrete air raid shelter for use by the nurses. It seems unlikely to me despite its wartime provenance, as the building appears to have a window, surely an unusual fixture for such a building (unless added postwar). UPDATE: mystery solved - from the site plan: Building 347 Ablutions/Latrine (with thanks to Richard Drew of Atlantikwall for this information http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/ ) Image

Probably the last remaining domestic building on one of the ten accommodation sites that were dispersed around the former wartime airfield of RAF Hurn. During the Second World War this was the sleeping quarters for WAAF nursing personnel who worked at the nearby RAF hospital and the Station Sick Quarters, where Milden Construction is now. I'm not sure of the building's current status, but the site was recently up for sale by auction and could be demolished, as planning permission has been granted to build a bungalow in its place. Its former occupant of 70 years was a 96 year old RAF veteran who had rented the property immediately after the war for his family when he was unable to secure a council house. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6232281/Temporary-hut-used-nurses-quarters-nearby-RAF-hospital-WWII-hits-market-200-000.html Update: 1st April 2021. Demolition of this building is now underway, and at an advanced stage. Image

Like many buildings of its type, it was meant only as a temporary structure, being constructed of brick and timber with a weather protecting cover of roofing felt over the roof and sloping walls. It bears similarities to the prefabricated bungalows ('prefabs') built for returning servicemen after the war, many of which lasted well into the new millennium. This structure too has lasted remarkably well, and is still perfectly habitable. Image

Molehills on lawn of local civil engineers, Mildrens http://www.mildrenconstruction.co.uk/ For more information on the elusive mammals that created these mounds, see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal/mole.shtml

Some locals call this road 'The Switchbacks' due to the undulating nature of the surface.

Attractive, unobtrusive linear playground alongside Moors Close, maintained by Hurn Parish Council. Contains swings, horses, frames & slide. Note the lack of obviously artificial colours.

- Stanton Air Raid Shelter EDoB ID: e49671 In the woods amongst a number of domestic site hut bases is a Stanton air raid shelter that would have been for the use of the site personnel. Of tubular construction with an entrance with steps leading down at one end, and an escape hatch at the other, it was the standard type of air raid shelter in use at RAF stations throughout the UK. From the Pillbox Study Group [http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/] website: 'The Stanton air-raid shelter was manufactured by the Stanton Ironworks Co. Ltd near Nottingham (the iron connection is in the mould pattern). They could be built in any length but usually consisted of 18 precast concrete arched-shaped units (each one in two parts), bolted together to form a standard (after 1941) Air Ministry shelter for 50 men. The entrance can be brick-lined with concrete steps (where required), and the rear unit has an emergency escape hatch. They are often above ground or semi-sunk but for concealment purposes there is a layer of earth and turf.' Image

- Stanton Air Raid Shelter EDoB ID: e49671 The steel entrance gate is of course a modern addition. Image

- Stanton Air Raid Shelter EDoB ID: e49671 Bolted steel arch shaped sections are a feature of the interior that gave additional support to the reinforced concrete sectional cladding. Image