Racal Electronics plc was once the third-largest electronics firm in Britain, offering products including voice and data recorders, point of sale terminals, laboratory instruments and military electronics, including radio and radar. At its height it operated throughout 110 countries world-wide and employed over 30,000 people.
The Seaton factory manufactured communications equipment, mainly for the MOD, and in 1999 the communications subsidiary of the company was sold to an American company, which was subsequently moved to the USA. It was closed in the year 2000, resulting in the loss of 109 jobs and was eventually demolished in June 2008.
This was my first 'official' urban explore. I'd explored lots of derelict and abandoned places when young, and the odd few as an adult, but in 2006 I read a fiction novel about urbexers - called 'Creepers', if I remember correctly - and there were some website addresses at the back of the book by people exploring abandoned buildings. I looked them up and realising this is something I've done, and would like to get properly involved in, I searched for and joined the forum called Derelict Places in early January 2007. Actually, I found and joined another forum just before that, in late 2006, but was unceremoniously banned without being given any reason along with a whole load of other members. But we won't talk about that one! ;)
Having thought about local places to visit I remembered that Racal had been closed and left empty, so decided to have a meander down there to have a look. A gorgeous low sunlight on an early January afternoon, 2007.
A bit of heartfelt graffiti (above photo on the left) of someone's thoughts about the factory being moved to the US.
The site was fenced all around but, by total chance, part of the fence was open so I was able to get on site and take some photos from inside.
Then much to my surprise, I found an open door which allowed me the opportunity to take a few interior photos just inside the building. I heard some men talking upstairs so I quickly took these few photos, and on hearing footsteps coming down the stairs I decided not to outstay my welcome, and exited post haste!
Dripping water splashed down from the hole in the ceiling onto the stairs, but sadly I couldn't capture it on the photos.
As I hurried outside I heard someone shout. My heart nearly stopped, lol, but then I heard my name called by one of the blokes who I happened to know. They were almost finished doing some clean-up work but I still had some time to take a few more photos outside before they locked up the gate. It was mid afternoon by then and getting towards sunset.
Apart from the front offices and the workshops along the road side, this part of the building along the riverside, above, is the erstwhile factory floor (seen from the door in the first interior photos above). The shelter, below, was the bus stop. More photos of both will be coming up in the next post, from a further visit made at Easter time.
This explore is one that stayed with me for a very long time; having a big grin on my face for at least a week afterwards. My first factory explore, the adrenalin of going alone and getting onto the site - which I didn't expect - plus the serendipity of actually getting inside the factory, albeit briefly, made it very special for me.
I was intending to put both visits in part one, with the demolition and remains photos in part two but there are a lot of photos to get through, so I've decided to split it into three or four parts. So, the second visit will be coming up next. :)
