A MEMORIAL stone is planned to be put in place after an underground monitoring post (UGMP) dating back to the Cold War has been discovered in Aborfield.

Wessex Archaeology discovered the post while working on behalf of Balfour Beatty as part of Wokingham Borough Councils Major Highways Project on Arborfield Cross Relief Road.

It is believed that the site was first used as an above-ground observation post from 1936 and then as a UGMP from 1961 until its closure in 1968.

It was part of a national network of over 1000 placed UGMP’s, which were built for the Royal Observer Corps

Dr Bob Clarke, senior research manager at Wessex Archaeology, said: “It’s an extraordinary find as many of the sites connected with the Cold War are still secret.”

Wokingham Borough Council is working with the Arborfield Local History Society and plans to install a memorial stone as a tribute, which would be dedicated to the members of the Arborfield Royal Observer Corps.

Jay Judge, project manager of the Arborfield Cross Relief Road Major Highways Project at Wokingham Borough Council is pleased with the find.

He added: “This is a fascinating find and we welcome the opportunity to work with the Arborfield Local History Society to pay tribute to the brave volunteers of the Arborfield Royal Observer Corps.”

Diana Thorne, a retired teacher an active member of the Arborfield Local History Society believes that the society is keen for the plans to go ahead.

She said: “We are keen to honour the local men who were volunteer members of the Arborfield Royal Observer Corps.”

As the structure runs through the planned route of the Relief Road, it is believed it will be removed prior to construction work and replaced with the memorial stone to mark its location.