First World War office or radio telegraphy station, Stow Maries Aerodrome, Cold Norton (EHER 81731)

A single-storeyed, pebble-dashed building with a corrugated asbestos roof, of uncertain function. It is said to have been used by Marconi for the development of ground to air radio, documented in pilots’ logs, and as such may be a radio telegraphy station. It may have been altered in the 1930s.

1997. RCHME field survey. A single-storeyed, pebble-dashed building 9.75m long by 7.60m wide, which has a corrugated-asbestos covered roof. Its function is uncertain. The east elevation has a central stack with blocked windows either side, whilst the north elevation has a door at the west corner and two pilasters. The south elevation has a door at its west end and a wooden window with a pivoting light. It is not clear which of these openings is primary, but it is likely that those in the south elevation are. The west elevation is shrouded with shrubbery, but it can be seen that it contains two tall windows. Although these are cast-metal units they differ from the standard original form. They are divided vertically into two, the left half containing a large opening light with a small light below, whilst the right half is divided into three lights. They may date from the 1930s. Access was gained to two rooms at the south end. The rooms are formed by a brick cross wall and an axial wall - both probably primary. The east room may contain a flue in the south wall for a stove, but it could not be seen clearly. The axial wall contains a green-painted door which seems to be original. No access was gained to the remainder of the building but it could be seen that it contained a single roof truss of the king-rod type already noted on the site, but without the braces and brick corbels. The principals carry four ranks of purlins. <1> Notes from A. Doyle amended to the end of <1> describe that 'the pebble- dashing… was done by Italian farm labourers living on the site during the Second World War. The roof on this is not original. It is said to have been an engineering shop, but not initially for engines as these were taken for servicing to The Grange (EHER 39085) until at least June 1918 (at the same time that the Station Headquarters moved into Stow).' April 2012. Grade II* listed. Plan: Rectangular, of two rooms. Exterior: The rendered structure has a later pebble-dash covering and corrugated asbestos sheeting to the roof. There is a brick stack in the east elevation, flanked by original metal casement windows with pivoting lights. There is a door in the south elevation, with a window to its right. Interior: The southern room, accessed through a plank door painted green, is said to have been used by Marconi for the development of ground to air radio, documented in pilots’ logs. The roof truss has a king-post and four ranks of purlins. <2> The building is depicted on the 3rd edition OS map. <3>