THE OVAL GLENTORAN RESTORATION

Between 19-21 July 2019 591 Fd Sqn oversaw the successful restoration of the Type 24 Pillbox on the Glentoran Football Ground (Belfast). The pillbox had been constructed in 1940 on Sydenham Hill, overlooking the city and, more importantly, the airfield. This was to provide a measure of early warning against enemy aircraft attacks, which, before the Blitz, was seen as possible but unlikely. 

However, since 1945 it was largely left untouched and had fallen into a state of disrepair. At the request of the Glentoran Community Trust, the Squadron took on the task of restoring this small part of the history of Belfast. 

The task was a simple one in engineering terms, especially given the historical nature of the site, which meant that we sought to restore the site, without altering it. Thus the soft-engineering approach was taken of bringing the structure back to a serviceable form, which was safe to access and would continue to withstand the rigours of time.

This was completed over the course of a single weekend and saw the brickwork restored, corrugated iron sheets repaired, overgrowth cut back, an access path laid around the pillbox and a plaque, commemorating its history, emplaced at the entrance.