A talk that casts light on a fascinating, top secret endeavour hidden amongst some of Sandown Bay’s best known landmarks is being hosted for free on Friday 13th May.
In an illustrated evening lecture, local historian and author Tim Wander will talk about the PLUTO Pipeline, taking us back to the dark days of 1944 when the Isle of Wight was essentially a closed military camp with strict travel restrictions and the very present fear of invasion.
Tim Wander sets the scene:
“Sandown seafront was only open to military personnel. The Bay and its beaches were mined and an impassable wall of obstacles and barbed wire protected the shores against attack. But as the tide of war turned, it became clear to the allies that a seaborne invasion of northern Europe would the only way to end the world war, and that this invading army would need fuel… over a million litres a day to support their fight across Europe.
“An audacious, almost impossible engineering plan was put into motion. It became known as PLUTO, Pipeline Under The Ocean, and its story starts in the Bay”.
Over the past year, Tim has walked the entire route of PLUTO and while talking about the pipeline pumps in one of the very buildings that housed them, Brown’s Café, he will also tell the story of Brown’s ice cream and the granite fort.
Ian Boyd from Arc Consulting will bring the story up to date explaining the plans for a new restoration of the Sandown Pavilion PLUTO power house and the surrounding woodland. The lecture will be followed by a short evening walk across to the Pavilion itself.
Ian Boyd explains:
“We’re delighted to be hosting Tim’s talk in support of the Bay Coastal Community Team’s PLUTO Pavilion project. The PLUTO story is one of the many remarkable things about the Bay!”
If you remember PLUTO, Sandown, Shanklin or Culver during the War and have photographs or memories of this critical time in the Island’s history, take them along to the free event.
Friday 13th May at 18:00 for 18:30 – 20:00.
Brown’s Café, Culver Parade, Sandown P036 8QA.
This is a free event. Parking is available at Brown’s Café & Golf Course.
