Discussion:
Demolished "secret" building by Bickley Junction?
(too old to reply)
Nev Arthur
2004-07-20 15:56:23 UTC
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Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was passing
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar drivers,
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would be
grateful.
Nev
Peter Masson
2004-07-20 16:08:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Nev Arthur
Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was passing
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar drivers,
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would be
grateful.
If you mean the place alongside the Up Tonbridge Spur, my old Geographers'
labels it 'Ministry of Supply'. It was always known locally as 'AQUILA',
though I don't know what that stood for. Used to have quite a number of
apprentices, who lived in a hostel in Chislehurst, so I think it was secret
in the sense that the Government doesn't want us to know what it's up to,
rather than in the highly sinister sense.

Peter
Chris Wilson
2004-07-20 21:33:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Masson
Post by Nev Arthur
Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was passing
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar drivers,
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would be
grateful.
If you mean the place alongside the Up Tonbridge Spur, my old Geographers'
labels it 'Ministry of Supply'. It was always known locally as 'AQUILA',
though I don't know what that stood for. Used to have quite a number of
apprentices, who lived in a hostel in Chislehurst, so I think it was secret
in the sense that the Government doesn't want us to know what it's up to,
rather than in the highly sinister sense.
FWIW for the last few years before it closed (along with most of our defence
facilities, army, air force and navy - soon to be opened up for PFI no
doubt) it was little more than a training centre for apprentices. My next
door neighbour was trained there, it closed, he moved to Woolwich, that
closed ... he now works in the MOD building up town, just another civil
servant amongst the mass of them that now out number the armed forces they
are supposed to support... actually he's a very nice chap.
--
All the best,

Chris Wilson

That's cwilson at britwar with a dot uk and dot co on the end. (Reply
address is blackholed)
http://www.britwar.co.uk - British Wargames
http://www.the-dormouse.org - The Dormouse Line Model Railway
r***@yahoo.com
2004-07-20 16:15:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Peter Masson
Post by Nev Arthur
Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was
passing
Post by Peter Masson
Post by Nev Arthur
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar
drivers,
Post by Peter Masson
Post by Nev Arthur
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would
be
Post by Peter Masson
Post by Nev Arthur
grateful.
If you mean the place alongside the Up Tonbridge Spur, my old
Geographers'
Post by Peter Masson
labels it 'Ministry of Supply'. It was always known locally as
'AQUILA',
Post by Peter Masson
though I don't know what that stood for. Used to have quite a number
of
Post by Peter Masson
apprentices, who lived in a hostel in Chislehurst, so I think it was
secret
Post by Peter Masson
in the sense that the Government doesn't want us to know what it's up
to,
Post by Peter Masson
rather than in the highly sinister sense.
Peter
MOD/DERA (latterly Qinetiq) electonics experimentation and testing
facility.

See also http://www.sub-urban.com/aquila.htm
for some pics and a 3d map :)

David
Pete Fenelon
2004-07-20 18:33:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Nev Arthur
Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was passing
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar drivers,
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would be
grateful.
There was at least one TEMPEST EMC testing facility in there - TEMPEST
being all to do with attempting to shield computing/comms equipment so
that snoopers can't determine what's going on based on electromagnetic
emissions....

pete
--
***@fenelon.com "there's no room for enigmas in built-up areas"
TP
2004-07-20 20:31:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Nev Arthur
Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was passing
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar drivers,
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would be
grateful.
The building was originally constructed to conceal the portal of a
wormhole that led directly to the W**dhead %u$$el, location of the
S%&a%egic &ese&ve. The wormhole allowed ***@c@***@tives to be transported
from the S%&a%egic &ese&ve to the South East of England at very short
notice and in no time.

I could tell you more but I would have to shoot you immediately after
telling you. Sorry.
Nev Arthur
2004-07-21 05:10:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by TP
Post by Nev Arthur
Does anyone know what the building here used to be? As I was
passing
Post by TP
Post by Nev Arthur
Bickley Junction today, with some more experienced Eurostar
drivers,
Post by TP
Post by Nev Arthur
they commented on the amount of barbed wire and stuff that used to
surround the place, so if anyone can tell me what it was, I would be
grateful.
The building was originally constructed to conceal the portal of a
wormhole that led directly to the W**dhead %u$$el, location of the
transported
Post by TP
from the S%&a%egic &ese&ve to the South East of England at very short
notice and in no time.
I could tell you more but I would have to shoot you immediately after
telling you. Sorry.
Well, that's the one that fits in best with my theory! Thanks for the
responses.
Nev
Jack
2004-07-24 01:29:01 UTC
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