First World War pilots' ready room, Stow Maries Aerodrome, Cold Norton (EHER 81743)

A brick-built building with an asbestos roof and original wooden glazed windows and four-panelled doors. The 1922 Ordnance Survey map indicates that at that time the building had a veranda on the east side which was later replaced, probably as part of a domestic conversion after the First World War. While the original form of this building, with a veranda facing the landing ground, appears to place it beyond doubt as a pilots' ready room, it is interesting to note that no building of this name appears in the 1918 survey, although the building is shown on the accompanying plan. This may suggest that it combined a number of functions.

1997. RCHME field survey. This building is said to have been the Pilots' Ready Room and is distinctly of two phases. It is a rectangular brick building 15.6m long by 5.65m wide. It has been pebble-dashed but much of this has fallen off. The west elevation has three chimney stacks for angled fireplaces and the windows are of the wooden glazing-bar style, common on the site, which are probably original. The north elevation has a window and a door at the east end behind a secondary porch. The door leads into a corridor which runs along the east side of the building. This corridor would seem to be a secondary feature, so that its west wall was originally the east external wall. The 1922 Ordnance Survey map indicates that at that time the building had a veranda on the east side which the later work replaced, probably as part of a domestic conversion. The original external east wall still contains windows which are of the wooden glazing 'bar style. The doors in this wall are four-panelled, of early 20th century style and are probably original. The range is divided into four rooms with access off the former veranda. The cross partitions have central doors so that access could be gained to neighbouring rooms. The rooms are heated by corner fireplaces against the west wall. The fireplace in the north room has retained its original grate, whilst that in the south room has been replaced with a 1940s or 1950s tiled fireplace, suggesting a domestic adaptation of the building. The roof is supported on simple A-frame trusses formed of parallel members, sitting on piers. The rafters are concealed behind asbestos panelling. While the original form of this building, with a veranda facing the landing ground, appears to place its function beyond doubt, it is interesting to note that no building of this name appears in the 1918 survey, although the building is shown on the accompanying plan. This may suggest that it combined a number of functions. <1> April 2012. Grade II* listed. Plan: Rectangular brick, three-room building with an open veranda, supported on slender posts facing the flying field. Exterior: Partially rendered and fully restored in the early 21st century with a gabled roof, refurbished windows and four doors on the east elevation. Interior: The original ceilings, doors, dado rails and two fireplaces remain. The roof has ‘A’ frame trusses resting on piers. <2> The building is depicted on the 3rd edition OS map. <3> Note: A 'ready room' was where pilots would receive briefings and prepare for missions.