I recall a Geordie Spears? He used to sit at that bunker at 58 to stop the troops riding the belts out for an early 'Lowse'
Are there any DVD's of anything to do with Whittle or Shilbottle? I may be wrong but I think the GMT curves were filmed in action at Whittle. They must have been a big deal!
I think we were warned not to walk on the tight side of the curve in case you got cut in two by the rope! (if it came out of its guides or something at that moment)