WTBS News
Updates on the WTBS project
Nottingham War Room Studio
Originally a 1950s era War Room, the bunker in Nottingham was repurposed as a Regional Seat of Government (RSG) but had a short life in this role as it was replaced with a bigger building in Loughborough (RSG 3.2).
As the original War Rooms were more military based, none had any broadcast facilities in them, so a WTBS studio was installed during this conversion. This piece is from the nottinghampost.com and headlines, for some reason, that the "top secret BBC studio" is to be saved. (Apologies for the annoying pop-ups.)
The image was taken when visiting the bunker in 2023.
A great find...
Bought for £5 at Retrotech 2026. A second pair of Coles headphones for the studio project.
They were in good condition, only requiring a new lead. A braided audio cable wired to a mono PO316 jack completed the period look
An honour to be invited
It was a privilege to deliver my presentation on the WTBS to the Nuclear Community Charity Fund annual convention .
It was very well received.
I, in turn, was grounded in my appreciation of being able to speak to servicemen who witnessed, first-hand, the detonation of a nuclear device. "Double daylight" and "seeing the bones of your fingers" through screwed-up eyes and clenched fists over them, whilst facing AWAY from the explosion, were sobering mental images to consider.
You can book me to deliver the story of this facinating subject via the Speakernet website
Cold War Heritage Week
The second annual National Cold War Heritage Week returns from 18 to 24 May 2026 with a nationwide celebration of one of the most fascinating chapters in modern history.
National Cold War Heritage Week shines a spotlight on the remarkable variety of the UK’s Cold War story – from secrecy and civil defence to innovation, preparedness, and the everyday experiences of people who lived through it. It’s an opportunity to explore extraordinary places, meet passionate experts, and discover how the Cold War shaped the world we know today.
Here's me delivering a condensed 30 minute presentation on the WTBS at the launch event.
The talks continue - book yours
Currently, bookings for Iain to deliver his one-hour talk on the WTBS have been made into 2027 by social, history and special interest groups across the UK.
Either in-person or on-line your group can find out this facinating, little-known, but hidden in plain sight, subject by booking Iain to deliver to your social group.
Find out more by visiting Speakernet.co.uk
"Thank you for a most interesting and informative talk, which was enjoyed by all our members. I have to say that I don’t remember being as frightened in the 70s and 80s as when I heard your recordings from the time!"
"It was fascinating to hear your presentation last night, thank you so much"
A WTBS display - the biggest so far
Look out for news later in the year for a WTBS themed display and presentation at the Broadcast Engineering Conservation Groups's museum at Hemswell Cliff in Lincolnshire.
"I used to love rooting through our big red WTBS folder on night shift, all those wonderful codewords!"
A J - BBC staff member