Firstly, I apologize for the late report (I've been v. busy). I visited UH with Mooks on 30/10/09 (rescheduled from Halloween) - what a fantastic place to spend 3 hours or so! I probably will return to cover the basement sometime though.
Right, rather than boring everyone with the history which has been covered in previous reports, I would like to do this differently; I shall review my visit:
Hospital
Vandalism:To be fair, to say it was trashed is a bit over the top but Its hard to find a pane of glass internally that hasn't been smashed which is a shame. Kids have also made the floors damp but not enough for you to need wellies (except the basement); some floors can be fairly slippy as well as the fact that the damp has caused extensive mould on the walls. A lot of drywall has been smashed in in places too. But other than that, its fair to say that there are some places in very good condition, ESPECIALLY the boiler room! Graffiti is minimal so this is really good.
What's left?:Upon first inspection it is heavily stripped (no beds) but there are quite a few things left to see - a multitude of telephones, operating theater lights, a barium prep unit, a lab with a handful of things, camera filters and so on. Paperwork is rare but there is some. Switchboards are also evident throughout. Finally, it seems a shame that the items were removed but on the other hand, it seems that many things were deposited in the boiler room: signs, maintenance items and stuff in boxes! Only empty cupboards, sinks, toilets, showers and lights remain in the rooms. There are some interesting signs left such as patient duties. Operating theatres have some interesting equipment panels.
Asbestos:Upper Heyford is laden with signs saying "Danger Asbestos" on buildings but thankfully since the hospital was built in 1980, it is asbestos free.
Is it safe?:The hospital is in a mess generally and the floors are slippy but structurally it is in excellent condition - it is safe compared to places like Hellingly. All rooms had been terminally cleaned in 93/4 (you can see the signs) so don't expect any mutant viruses.
Size:For a single building this is superb - it will take you around 3 hours to do the ground and top floor to explore.
Security/Access:Like I'm gonna tell you anything! :crazy... On the other hand, I'll just say that its not too bad and that it requires a bit of looking carefully - the devil is in the detail (if that's the right way to put it).
Overall it is a good explore that I would highly recommend to any Oxfordshire explorers. Not so sure about anyone out of Oxfordshire for a single building - this is exemplary if you're intending to do any other buildings.
Pictures:
Minor surgery
Security panel
Feel free to download this to read the text
The only major graffiti evident
Barium prep
A stripped but interesting lab - excuse the quality (it was pitch black!)
That can't be too good
Children's ward mural
Sound proof cells
Upstairs reception
Chav damage is evident here
Nice curtain... not
Kitchen
Aside smashed glass and damp floors the incubator ward was superb
Now for the unseen part of the hospital!
Cor that's rare!
Volleyball court
MAIDEN! MAIDEN! MAIDEN!
And to top it off
Regards,
TBM
Right, rather than boring everyone with the history which has been covered in previous reports, I would like to do this differently; I shall review my visit:
Hospital
Vandalism:To be fair, to say it was trashed is a bit over the top but Its hard to find a pane of glass internally that hasn't been smashed which is a shame. Kids have also made the floors damp but not enough for you to need wellies (except the basement); some floors can be fairly slippy as well as the fact that the damp has caused extensive mould on the walls. A lot of drywall has been smashed in in places too. But other than that, its fair to say that there are some places in very good condition, ESPECIALLY the boiler room! Graffiti is minimal so this is really good.
What's left?:Upon first inspection it is heavily stripped (no beds) but there are quite a few things left to see - a multitude of telephones, operating theater lights, a barium prep unit, a lab with a handful of things, camera filters and so on. Paperwork is rare but there is some. Switchboards are also evident throughout. Finally, it seems a shame that the items were removed but on the other hand, it seems that many things were deposited in the boiler room: signs, maintenance items and stuff in boxes! Only empty cupboards, sinks, toilets, showers and lights remain in the rooms. There are some interesting signs left such as patient duties. Operating theatres have some interesting equipment panels.
Asbestos:Upper Heyford is laden with signs saying "Danger Asbestos" on buildings but thankfully since the hospital was built in 1980, it is asbestos free.
Is it safe?:The hospital is in a mess generally and the floors are slippy but structurally it is in excellent condition - it is safe compared to places like Hellingly. All rooms had been terminally cleaned in 93/4 (you can see the signs) so don't expect any mutant viruses.
Size:For a single building this is superb - it will take you around 3 hours to do the ground and top floor to explore.
Security/Access:Like I'm gonna tell you anything! :crazy... On the other hand, I'll just say that its not too bad and that it requires a bit of looking carefully - the devil is in the detail (if that's the right way to put it).
Overall it is a good explore that I would highly recommend to any Oxfordshire explorers. Not so sure about anyone out of Oxfordshire for a single building - this is exemplary if you're intending to do any other buildings.
Pictures:
Minor surgery
Security panel
Feel free to download this to read the text
The only major graffiti evident
Barium prep
A stripped but interesting lab - excuse the quality (it was pitch black!)
That can't be too good
Children's ward mural
Sound proof cells
Upstairs reception
Chav damage is evident here
Nice curtain... not
Kitchen
Aside smashed glass and damp floors the incubator ward was superb
Now for the unseen part of the hospital!
Cor that's rare!
Volleyball court
MAIDEN! MAIDEN! MAIDEN!
And to top it off
Regards,
TBM
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