DISCO DAVES TUNNEL GUIDE
Bunkers and Raised fire pit
A bunker over the entrance to a tunnel can be constructed to achieve two primary aims. First and foremost is defence. It will hide the tunnel entrance, and then during eviction impede the progress of the bailiffs who are attempting to gain entry to the tunnel. The bunker can also be made to accommodate a protester who can occupy a surface, or just below the surface, lock on. A bunker structure should be as strong as possible and made with large timbers (i.e. 4" by 4"). So as to be able to support the large mound of spoil which will be tipped upon it. A basic frame can be made in much the same way as you shore a chamber. Burying the uprights would also provide stability.
Position the air pipe so it protrudes at least 3 foot from the bunker roof. Then put a sign to indicate what it is. Cover the roof and walls with plywood, and then a waterproof material (remembering to let the material hang loosely so as to prevent it ripping on corners) .The bunker is now ready for spoil. Treat the bunker as a rubbish tip . Rather than waste time removing rubbish off site put old tyres, tins, and broken glass in with the spoil. Put a sign to warn other protesters and bailiffs. Remember you want to slow or stop the bailiff's work, not injure them. Dump the spoil evenly on each wall before putting it on the roof. When you feel that a greater part of your tunnel has been completed, then it's time to put doors (of whatever material) on to the entrance. As you are on the surface the doors drawbridge should be far easier to make then install and thus more robust than those underground. Attaching doors sooner rather than later will mean you will probably need one or two extra people to pass the bags of spoil out from the bunker. Therefore treat bunker doors as the finishing touch to the overall construction.
The Raised fire pit
The fire pit where protesters congregate to eat and socialize is the most vulnerable point on the camp. Having it at least 7 feet above ground level will mean even if the bailiffs storm in unannounced the protesters will have vital minutes to get to their defences by means of rope walkways to the nearest tree. Scaffolding is probably the best and only safe way of making such a construction as it is relatively easy to assemble and rigid.
(A) The raised fire pit could be built directly over the entrance to the tunnel, or as above just in front of it. The platform of the fire pit should be of metal with the fire itself within a metal box . An exterior ladder will allow protesters to enter and exit the platform to collect wood etc. A second ladder leading down from the center of the fire pit and surrounded with wooden boarding will allow protesters to enter the tunnel.
(B)Building the raised firepit directly over the tunnel will mean the bunker will require less timber as the scaffold poles themselves could be bunker uprights and crossbeams. The possible disadvantage would be that the weight of a scaffold frame,a steel floor and half a dozen protesters above the tunnel may put pressure on the tunnel and could cause severe weakening if not collapse of the walls. To avoid this, position the scaffold uprights at least 4 to 5 feet from the tunnel entrance. For obvious reasons the scaffold legs, when dug in, should not be above any part of the tunnel but to the side.
It is worth remembering that before a tunnel can be evicted the MIB must clear an area above it and make it safe. This means any tree or tower with somone locked on above the tunnel has to be removed frst.At Arthurs wood the MIBs ignored such regulations and began evicting with people still above them in the trees. REMIND THEM-breaking such regulations is irresponsible and risks lives.
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