On a visit to the Isle of Wight a walk to the Needles is a ‘have to do’ experience and I suppose it is well worth the effort, a natural wonder of chalk against the elements. What I hadn’t appreciated was also the strategic importance of this promontory. For several centuries a garrison with heavy guns has manned this exposed location and search lights added as progress in our defence systems developed. The task of those who were stationed here was to defend the Western Approaches of the Solent and important link from the English Channel to the Merchant ports and Navel bases at Southampton and Portsmouth.
The Old Battery, Parade Ground above the Needles
Searchlight in underground bunker above the Needles
It would appear that the battery had three key roles, one to locate and plot enemy shipping, two to direct gun fire, navel and air attacks on the enemy and three to use its own guns. The ‘Old Battery’ as the National Trust have named it has some simple but good displays to illustrate its earlier military history, when it was also the task of the garrison to ‘fill’ the shells on site with the explosives.
The visit was worthwhile but I have to say that this was possibly the worst maintained Trust property I have ever visited. As members we get in free, the charges to none members for the privilege of taking the mile long trek to this windy spot, see some sparse exhibits in a tumbled down setting is nothing short of daylight robbery and makes the near by Alum Bay Theme Park seem very cheap by comparison. It also makes the New Forest Airfields Memorial mentioned yesterday glow in comparison.
ALUM BAY, Isle of Wight
29th June 2011
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 