Winter Conservation
Over the winter months, ongoing conservation work has continued across the Predannack Anti-Aircraft Battery and Museum. Our dedicated volunteers have been busy repainting the command bunker, developing new displays in the officers’ room, enhancing interactivity in the plotting room and gun training areas, and carefully restoring artefacts throughout the collection — from 40mm Bofors shells to the impressive 3.7" Vickers anti-aircraft guns themselves. All of this work is part of our commitment to ensure that every visit offers something new to discover.
Decorating a Bunker
The museum is supported by a strong and dedicated team of volunteers who bring with them a remarkable breadth of experience. Their backgrounds range from toolmakers, automotive engineers, renewable energy consultants, to health and safety specialists, design engineers, and professional photographers — meaning there is always someone perfectly suited to the task at hand. A highlight of this winter’s work has been led by our very own professional speedway rider & engineer, Bill, who has embraced the famously relentless job of “painting the Forth Bridge” by tackling the command bunker from top to bottom.
2026 Exhibits
One of our officers’ rooms has been transformed into a striking parade of military and civilian uniforms, each expertly assembled by our resident historical conservationist, Kevin. His craftsmanship has contributed to major projects including the acclaimed mini-series Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and War Horse, along with working closely with the Imperial War Museum. The display spans everything from Civil Defence attire to the origins of the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (DCLI), offering visitors a richly detailed and authentic glimpse into Britain’s military and home-front heritage.
Brightening our Vision
Over the winter, we have introduced one of the most significant upgrades to the bunker by adding lighting throughout the displays. Using modern technology such as solar panels and LEDs—carefully concealed within period fittings—we now enjoy free, unobtrusive light across the entire site. Display cabinets and individual rooms are fully illuminated, and during nighttime events the command bunker becomes a cosy, welcoming museum showcasing some truly unusual and rare artefacts. This work has been expertly carried out by Nick, our resident design engineer, Chris, our renewables engineer, and Jim, our career-long toolmaker.
Exhibit Preperation
Many of our volunteers bring with them a lifetime of expertise gained over long and accomplished careers before retirement. We are fortunate to have individuals who now devote their time to engineering, repairing, and conserving historic items for future generations. Our resident horticulturist and military historian, Gareth, is meticulously restoring our once-dulled artillery shells—polishing, researching, and repainting some of our rarest artefacts from the many nations involved in the war against the axis powers—returning them to their former clarity and significance.
Prepping the Training Gun
We are extremely fortunate to have one of the last surviving 3.7" Heavy Anti-Aircraft training guns on site, an important piece of equipment once used to train the Royal Artillery during the war. Its ongoing, precision conservation is led by Jim, a toolmaker and historical artefact conservationist—when grease and machinery are involved, Jim is our go-to volunteer. Alongside Ian, our curator, Jim also travels internationally on historical projects, while together they care for and maintain our extensive collection of weapons here on site.
All the Bits & Bobs
Security is vital on site, and securing the bunker has been a primary objective for us. We were very fortunate to obtain heavy-duty steel bars from a former bank in the centre of Newquay, Cornwall, which now protect the rear of the bunker, while Geoff—one of our newest and most active volunteers—is preparing matching bars for the front of the command bunker. Geoff spent his younger years serving with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, bringing valuable experience from a civilian-manned fleet that supports the Royal Navy and Royal Marines worldwide. Morale on site is always high, and that is thanks to the dedication and characters of the volunteers who turn up every Saturday morning.
Morale Booster
Thai can be found down at the battery every Saturday morning without fail. If there’s a hole to be dug, you can guarantee Thai is already one step ahead—paws down and enthusiastically excavating well before anyone else arrives. As our four-legged volunteer, she brings energy, character, and plenty of smiles, and has firmly earned her place as part of the team.