Platforms, Pirates and Pornography

What connects Screaming Lord Sutch, Gianni Versace, the actor Ralf Little ( Death in Paradise ) and Doctor Who? While this sounds like a question from Only Connect, the answer actually lies in local east coast waters – The Maunsell Forts. These are a series of army and navy forts which were built in the second world war offshore in the North Sea to protect us from enemy airforce and navel incursions.

These forts played a crucial role in the early warning for air and sea raids. Abandoned after the war their history was then varied and, as you can see from the characters mentioned, at times unexpected. Some were occupied by Pirate Radio stations while others were used as film locations. One even becoming a micronation.

This talk looks at this unique history and the mixed cast of characters involved with these platforms. The talk examines what is left of them and the unique legacy which they have left behind.