The Demise of Criggion Radio

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Criggion Radio, A VLF radio station built during the second world war as a stand by in case Rugby radio was destroyed or otherwise put out of action. Both stations were used to communicate with ships at sea, and later rumour has it, Nuclear Submarines during the cold war. Criggion was located approx 20 miles south west of Shrewsbury, on the Welsh border.
Demolition was planned for the 17th August 2003, by the Allan Campbell Group.

Criggion Radio, Or GBZ as officially known, Was taken out of service on the
31st of  march 2003, and the demolistion planned for 17th august 2003. All
the masts were expected to be dropped in the one day.
This was not the case, The northern most guyed mast was the first, The siren
was heard then an almighty crack as the charges went off. The mast was still
standing. 45 minutes or so later, a second crack and the mast finally fell.

The next to be attempted, was the Northern most self supporting mast, This
again an almighty crack was heard but again stood its ground, this was left
untill later in the week.

They then blew the charges on the West most guyed mast, The top third
broke and fell to the ground, leaving the remaining sticking up like a broken
tooth. 30 minutes or so after,  this was made to follow the first bit.

The last mast of the day, the Southern most guyed mast, was actually
dropped as per plan, at the first attempt.

Tuesday the 19th August, the Northern most self supporting mast, left
after failing to fall first attempt, was finally demolished, this seemed to
try and walk across the field as it fell.

27th of August, the last two self supporting masts were demolished,
The Southern most first and last of all the central one in front of the
VLF transmitter hall.

     
1st                                         2nd                                        3rd

   
4th                                          5th                                         6th

   
7th (1)                                    7th (2)                                   All Gone
Six Giants stood standing
along this border land
Man came to destroy them,
it was a Scottish  hand.

They thought it would be simple,
because they were so old,
The mast stood through the first blow
they should not have been so bold


The watchers were waiting
theyhad all come to see.
This mast was not falling,
perhaps it was not to be.

The Scottish hand it tried again,
this time the mast did fall.
So they tried the second,
this didn't move at all.

Sadly disappointed,
the third the men did try,
But it left two thirds,
pointing to the sky

Anxious to be over,
the Scotts they wore a frown.
A bang ran through the valley,
the rest it did come down.

The fourth they did approach,
Explosives in their hand.
A sharp report, a lot of noise,
the mast lay on the land.

This left just three giants,
starting to feel humble.
By suprise on tuesday,
the fourth was made to tumble.

Ten days later they came back,
marching through the land.
A roar was heard, a rumble followed,
the two went down as planned


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