THE Pill Box at Crooklets, Bude, has undergone a huge clear out, after public safety concerns arose when masses of litter, toilet paper and even syringes and needles were found.

Following the Post’s previous report on the condition of the Pill Box, the site has now been cleared of all rubbish, and is ready for a secure door to be fitted on — to the delight of members of the community and those involved in the Bude at War event.

Concerns circulated earlier last month when members of the public had been walking their dogs along the cliffs at Crooklets and had come across the Pill Box, full of litter, syringes and needles, and evidence of being used as a public convenience.

For the Bude at War event, taking place this weekend, the National Trust decided to reopen the Pill Box, after years of being closed up due to vandalism, allowing local people and visitors to the area to explore the Pill Box in conjunction with the event.

Although the purpose of the Pill Box’s design is to be deciphered, it is a Second World War site, and is believed by an archaeologist from the National Trust to have been built to a German design, for troops to practice assaulting the cliffs and an enemy pill box. It is hoped the Bude at War event will be able to uncover some secrets and the mystery behind the site.

After a member of the public took to the local Facebook page, Bude Banter, warning people to be wary with their children and dogs entering the site due to the rubbish left inside, Bude man Mark Humphreys and his team of volunteers dedicated many weeks of their time to cleaning and ridding the Pill Box of rubbish.

The team worked with A and M Services South West Ltd, who completed the job on Saturday, August 19.

The Pill Box is now ready for a door to be fitted, which will prevent people entering the site when not allowed.

Mark has also been adding photographs and updates to the national Facebook page, The Pillbox Appreciation Society, where he has received mainly positive feedback about his work to enhance and improve the site, instead of leaving it to decay over time.

The Bude at War event will take place on September 16 and 17.