Operation Turnip continued in Kent today despite poor weather. The team arrived just after 8 am at the Operational Base and started to clear away mud and brambles. We tweeted progress pictures throughout the day on Twitter which seemed very popular with our followers.
Once the entrance hatch was lifted it became apparent that water had flooded into the OB again. The good news is that it was only about a foot of water and it had entered through the ventilation pipes and not through the main structure.
The ventilation pipes were soon discovered above ground and dug out so eventually they can be made watertight.
Team two then cleared more mud and found the hatch leading down into the Escape shaft.
The scene inside the OB.
Our team are not put off by a foot of water and get stuck in.
Many many buckets later…..Note the two ventilation pipes left and right and the water tank in the middle of the room.
The job is done…..for now. Next stage will be to make the Ventilation pipes waterproof and then re-decorate.
Our thanks to Jamie Burton, Alec Warren and Ben Lewis who worked very hard today to help project leader Phil Evans. Follow the progress of this project here
Our Kent CIO Phil Evans has today announced that work on Operation Turnip will continue this year with a 4 man team.
We have the opportunity to restore an Operational Base in Kent. Due to the nature of the work, and the fact that certain members of the public like to go and destroy these precious time capsules, the location is a closely guarded secret.