Nettleden 2002 News Archive

date	title	source
03/10/2001	Inside Britain's secret suburban bunker	BBC News
07/01/1999	Dr Strangelove bunker under Wiltshire	The Telegraph

Date	News
31/12/02 12:43	Title: 07816 285931
31/12/02 12:43	Details: My phone has been very busy over the last couple of days with some very interesting texts from our latest forum member, hopefully a new face on our next day out.
30/12/02 01:51	Title: Shop @ Nettleden
30/12/02 01:51	Details: Have a look at the new Nettleden shop The Gear now up and running on-line. Buy exclusive Nettleden good such as fleeces and backpacks for days out as well as thongs and mousepads. Click here to browse the shop.
20/12/02 13:27	Title: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
20/12/02 13:27	Details: Thanks to everyone for there support over the 8 months that Nettleden has been running. Especially Chris Davies and everyone who chats in the Dark Places forum. It's been a great year for Nettleden and we hope that 2003 will be even better. I would like to personally wish everyone who has visted Nettleden.com, emailed us or meet up with us on a day out a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the new year. Thanks again Steve Webmaster and founding member
19/12/02 12:09	Title: Update
19/12/02 12:09	Details: A new layout for the news page has been added including a title for each news item.
10/12/02 16:49	NEW - Nettle Mail strives to bring you the most interesting news related to underground and urban exploration with exclusive news too sensitive to publish on the web site, learn more and sign up here.
10/12/02 03:27	Explore Ridge Quarry with the new hot-spot photo map, click on the hot-spots to see a photo of that area of the mine. The hot-spot map is accessible through the Ridge Quarry photo page.
09/12/02 15:58	I've updated the detailed underground map of Monkton Farleigh available from the downloads page due to work currently being carried out by Wansdyke Security at Monkton Farleigh. Soon Districts 15 and 16 will become part of Wansdyke's underground workings.
09/12/02 00:46	I've done a bit of research on Ridge Quarry and added a new page to the Ridge Quarry section, just click on 'the site' icon, it's pretty interesting stuff.
08/12/02	Added a link to us page with a selection of banners.
06/12/02 02:21	In responce to our "What's This?" question, Nick Catford has informed us that it is a WW2 pillbox built to protect the road or railway, cheers Nick! I've added a cleaned up version of a map of Ridge Quarry I recieved via email from Nick McCamley (thanks Nick), the map can be downloaded from the downloads page.
05/12/02	We need your help! Jason took these photos while out and about, it's deffinatly an old defence structure of some kind, have a look (click here) and let us know what you think, email.
04/12/02	I have uploaded the new photos of Ridge Quarry, they are available on the Ridge Quarry page, accessible from the left hand menu.
02/12/02	We've had a great day today, we've been back to Ridge Quarry and explored all of the mine as well as taking 40 photos. We also accidentally stumbled in to Monks Park, a working quarry so we didn't hang around there. I'm currently working on getting a map of Ridge Quarry and getting the photos from today's visit up on the site, they should all be uploaded by tomorrow night. Do you like our christmas decorations? Have you ever seen a Christmas nettle before?
28/11/02	I have added all of my Monkton Farleigh photos to the site, the zip file is 9.60MB and contains 223 jpeg images, it can be downloaded from the downloads page or directly by clicking here. All photos contained in the zip file were taken by Steve Higgins and Mike Tovey, we are happy to share the photos with anyone for web use but we ask that you ask our permission first and provide us with a link from your site.
22/11/02	We are now a member of the Urban Exploration Ring also thanks for the link and support of Infiltration.org.
16/11/02	WOW! Over 100 visits to the new WAP site in just over a week, thanks for your support, I know it's not a lot but it's more hits than I thought it would get being a WAP site.
15/11/02	Finally, almost a month after the trip I've got the photos of the visit to Ridge Quarry developed, they are available on the Ridge Quarry page, accessible from the left hand menu. I had an email from John Maunder today, a few nice comments about the website and he gave me a link to his site (click here), it's pretty good, have a look at the slightly off topic but interesting piece about mast climbing. Chris is back from his holiday and the Dark Access Forum is now up and running again, down due to a power cut.
14/11/02	I've finally finished the new links page, uploaded with 136 links to underground, military, defence and government related websites. Please let me know if I have missed anything out.
13/11/02	A new look menu and a page detailing the new WAP site has been added today. You may have noticed that the Dark Places forum has been down for the last few days. Chris, the forum owner is away in New York at the moment, I guess for some reason the server has gone down, I'm sure as soon as he gets home it will be up and running again.
08/11/02	Just a small update to the visits page to make it look a bit prettier and more eye catching after all it is the second page you look at on the site and links to everything else. The WAP site is finished, you can preview it online by clicking here, I haven't mentioned it in the main part of the site yet because it has a horrible long URL but I am in the process of buying and diverting wap.nettleden.com to the WAP site so it is nice and neat and easy. Let me know what you think anyway and if there is anything else I can add to it.
06/11/02 02:37	I've been really busy over the weekend, transfering Nettleden over to a new web server (as well as all the rest of my websites), I have tried my hardest to make sure there was no disruption in service of Nettleden. I have upgraded from a 20mb host plan for £25 per year to a 250mb host for £40 per year, it seems a lot faster too and means I don't have to worry about running out of web space so now Nettleden can only grow!!!
06/11/02 23:44	Coming soon... Nettleden's very own WAP site, all the information any explorer could need at their finger tips while out and about. Look out for more details and WAP address coming soon! You can preview the site online by clicking here.
06/11/02 02:37	I've been really busy over the weekend, transfering Nettleden over to a new web server (as well as all the rest of my websites), I have tried my hardest to make sure there was no disruption in service of Nettleden. I have upgraded from a 20mb host plan for £25 per year to a 250mb host for £40 per year, it seems a lot faster too and means I don't have to worry about running out of web space so now Nettleden can only grow!!!
04/11/02	A bit quiet at the moment, just trying to find some time to get underground again but I am so busy with work and family etc at the moment. I have managed to search the web for a few things of interest, have a look at www.bristoltours.com a pretty interesting virtual tour of the Redcliffe Caves in Bristol. I've got over 100 new links to add to the links page, just trying to work my way through them, check they work and review them.
30/10/02	Today's update includes... The Gear Nettleden's new online underground shop plus a few photos of Colerne on the visited sites page.
29/10/02	Sorry guys, I've had no net access since Friday night so I haven't been able to update the website or get in contact with anyone... but I'm back! Any news? Let me know what I've missed email
23/10/02 23:34	I have added a search function on the left hand menu as well as a search page offering various relivent searches. I have also updated the links page with 47 new links to related sites.
23/10/02 02:28	I got an email yesterday evening from Mark Kaye, thanks for your email and your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the site. One comment he made was about the standard of spelling on the site, spelling has never been a strong point of mine and as I write HTML in Notepad there is no spell check facility so I have now spell checked the whole site, I don't think you will find any miistaks now! Thanks for that!
21/10/02	I have added photos of the disused HMS Royal Arthur and Box Freestone Quarry including photos of the Cathedral. All of these can be accessed from the visited sites page.
20/10/02	Thanks for yesterday everyone, we had a great day! We had a look round a few places, saw some interesting things, details and photos will follow shortly. We will have to do it again!!
18/10/02	I've updated the visited sites page again and all of the main pages for each of the sites to include maps and directions on how to get there. Thanks to all of you who are coming along tomorrow, see you there!
17/10/02	I've finally added some pictures of Box Tunnel, Swan Mine and RAF Rudloe Manor to the visited sites page, there are more to come soon. Look out for the photos of HMS Royal Arthur when I finish the film and get it developed.
16/10/02	I've added a little Amazon book shop to my homepage but I'm sure you've already seen it as you came from there. If you want to meet up with us on Saturday be at the car park of The Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh at 1300. See you there!
15/10/02	I know I said I won't be taking down the "Get the Wall Down" graphic until the end of the week but I got a nasty email from a guy called Alan James and I can't be bothered to get involved in all those arguments again, we are not evil and we are not vandals! Thanks for your comments and thanks for visiting the site!
14/10/02	I've done a huge revamp today to Nettleden, I've added a links page (please email me if you would like a link added), I've updated the contact page and added the new Nettleden Dark Access pages which links to the Dark Places' site to make their information more accessible and so that users of Nettleden have more information available to them. There is a new downloads page with maps and banners etc. and a visited sites page listing all the locations visited by Nettleden... new pictures of the locations to follow. From the end of the week, Friday 18th October, the "Get the Wall Down" link on the Nettleden homepage will be taken down but you will still be able to access this news page via the link on the left-hand menu.
13/10/02	The hype about us on the subterranea forum had died down now... which is nice. If you want to get together with us for a trip to an underground location or over ground place of interest give me a shout via email email.
12/10/02	Sorry, Nettleden was down last night due to host server problems, I doubt anyone noticed anyway. The latest news from MF is that Wansdyke have sprayed a four foot square yellow patch on to the bricked up slope shafts of districts 19 and 20 and stencilled on to it in black a private property message. I had a very interesting chat with JC yesterday about MF etc. and we've decided to meet up soon and go take a look at Ridge Quarry (I'd also like to have a look around Spring Quarry myself (where we will NOT be vandalising anything)). I'm sure Mike Tovey (m.t.) will come along and hopefully Chris from Dark Access will come along too. I wouldn't mind a look around MF too, I haven't been there in about two weeks now. Cheers for all your phone calls, texts and emails! I'm receiving more than ever now, this bit of controversy that the Subterranea Britannica guys caused has really worked wonders for the site. Thanks guys! We have nothing against Subterranea Britannica by the way, they are a great well organised group and there website is well worth a look at however I'm not a member and I don't think I'll ever be able to join now :o) ah well!!
10/10/02	Due to a number of emails over the last few days, Nettleden would like to make the following statement: Nettleden are a small, peaceful group of friends who enjoy exploring the secrets of underground Britain. Nettleden have never vandalised anything at any location either underground or over ground in surface buildings. Nettleden have never caused any damage or broken anything to gain access to any site over or under ground. Nettleden have visited many locations over the UK including Box and Tunnel Quarry, Swans Mine, Brown’s Folly, HMS Royal Author and of course the favourite, Monkton Farleigh. Nettleden have never caused damage to any of these site while entering or exploring. Nettleden were committed to the complete exploration and documentation of Monkton Farleigh Mine as you can tell from the website at www.nettleden.com because of this Nettleden were sadden when the mine was closed off. Nettleden would not take violent action to regain access to Monkton Farleigh however Nettleden are aware of groups of people who have used explosives and various other tools to gain access to closed off underground areas. Nettleden, unaware of the fact that the whole of the mine is owned by Wansdyke Security started a campaign to attract the attention of those groups with access to explosives to gain knowledge and advice on the safe and effective use of explosives. Nettleden have no experience in using explosives safely or effectively and would never attempt to. Nettleden it’s self would not get involved in any criminal activity whether the wall was erected by Wansdyke Security’s or by the local council as Nettleden believed was the case. I’m sure that if Monkton Farleigh Mine remains unused for the years to come that eventually someone will open the mine up again at which time Nettleden look forward to the opportunity to explore the mine once again. If you have any queries on the above please contact Steve Higgins at email, call 07816 285931 or visit www.nettleden.com.
07/10/02	We have just received news that districts 19 and 20 at Monkton Farleigh are in fact owned by Wansdyke Security, previously we were unsure as to who the owner of 19 and 20 was. We were lead to believe that Wansdyke only owned Districts 12 through to 18 of the mine. So... that's the end then! It was fun while it lasted! Thanks to Nick McCamley for getting us hooked on Monkton Farleigh in the first place and giving us the specific directions to get to what use to be the entrance of district 20, we would have never found it without you and it's been the most interesting and amazing spring/summer of my life! I look forward to talking to BBC Radio Four later this year in regards to a radio show about "Secret Underground Cities".
01/10/02	The feedback from the website has quietened down a bit now, the word has been spread, it's time to begin phase two.
29/09/02	I have added a chat room (link on left) and the forum has had a few more posts and reads (link on left).
27/09/02	More contact which is great including some interest from the BBC.
24/09/02	We now have to be very careful about who we talk to and I can say no more here.
19/09/02	The Nettleden Team have been back to MF tonight for a look around based on some new information I have received from JC, we weren't there long, just looking really but it was interesting.
18/09/02	Thanks to everyone for more great suggestions via email, we're not going to be going in to much detail about these suggestions as it's not just us who can access this website. Thanks to JC, very interesting. Pete Turier, who I had a good chat with via email yesterday - impressive. The forum is also starting to be used which is great but again please be careful what you are posting, we don't wanna give too much away, email me with anything sensitive. No dates, times or decided course of action will ever be posted on this website. Keep it coming...
17/09/02 15:48	We now have a forum up and running thanks to www.darkplaces.co.uk you can join in with the forum by clicking on the link on the left or by clicking here
17/09/02 11:15	I've had some more feedback: Steve says MF is private property and we shouldn't be breaking in, who owns districts 19 and 20 of MF? I know Wansdyke own 12 to 18 but are 19 and 20 owned? Dom says knocking the wall down will cause more trouble for future generations of explorers and piss of Wansdyke more. The news report said that the quarry was closed off because it's unsafe not because people were trespassing but may be the violent approach isn't the best way, we should look at all options. How about a petition to the local council or even the lottery commission, could we get a lottery grant to save the mine? How much would it cost to buy and restore MF? Please keep your comments coming, whatever your view email
16/09/02	Thanks for everyone who has replied to my initial email, I will be sending out another batch tonight to local websites and some caver's sites. Thanks to Chris of www.darkplaces.co.uk/darkaccess/ for your support and as Chris rightly says "While MF is not in use it should be open and providing a look at the history of the UK and what it did to win the war". Check out Chris' web site, it is the leading web site in underground stuff, a great collection of pictures of loads of sites.
15/09/02	The "Monkton Farleigh Get the Wall Down" campaign has started, spread the word around the net and we will be back underground soon.
08/08/02	Added photos of the Farleigh Down Sidings and tunnel.
30/07/02	It's confirmed: our roving reporter Mike Tovey has been back to Monkton Farleigh today and districts 19 and 20 have been bricked up... well! The wet brick work was being guarded by a security guard which was quite a surprise to Mike who was forced to pretend he'd lost his dog "Sparky".
28/07/02	Monkton Farleigh is to be bricked up, 5 palettes of bricks next to district 19 and 20 entrances give it away, by the amount of bricks it looks like they are planning do a good job of it.
26/07/02	Photos added of Monkton Farleigh districts 15, 16, 17 and 18.
24/07/02	Photos of Monkton Farleigh districts 19, 20 and surface buildings added, click on the hot spots on the maps to view images.
17/04/02	I've add some photos of Monkton Farleigh districts 19, 20 and surface buildings added, click on the hot spots on the maps to view images. I've also added some maps and plans of the mine.
06/04/02	Welcome to Nettleden!