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Holyhead Drive, Redcar: Sound Mirror Provides Early Warning

The sound mirror used to give an early warning of German Zeppelin raids

This Grade II listed building was used in WW1 as an early warning system for Zeppelin raids on Hartlepool, Redcar and Skinningrove.

A trench used to exist in front of the sound mirror where the operator would sit. Bombs dropped from Zeppelins had caused panic amongst the civilian population, but this device was a poor early warning system giving just four minutes notice of a raid.

In 1916 it was sitting in open farm land. Since then a modern housing estate has grown up around it.

The concrete structure has not always been treated well. When it stopped being used to detect German raids a farmer used it as a spot to store manure.

There have been problems with bike enthusiasts using it as a ramp to practice their stunts.

There is a plaque in front of it to explain what the structure鈥檚 historical significance is and hopefully deter adrenaline junkies causing damage.

Location: Holyhead Drive, Redcar, Tees TS10 2QS
Image of Bryan Robinson standing in the Redcar sound mirror

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3 minutes

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