Geo-explorers delve into historic underground tunnels at Leeds school

GEO-explorers have been unearthing underground mysteries buried deep inside the deserted escape tunnels under a Leeds school. Alison Bellamy reports.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Fulneck School in Pudsey is based on a Moravian settlement, dating back to 1753, with most of the original buildings still standing and in use today.

It is believed the historic tunnels - which have graffiti on the walls dated 1862 - were used as air raid shelters during times of conflict.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During the Second World War, nearby Stanningley was bombed and it is likely residents of West Leeds headed there for safety during the 1940s.

Jurgen Neuberg, professor of Geophysics at the University of Leeds, pictured left, working with students at Fulneck School, Pudsey. Photo by Tony Johnson.Jurgen Neuberg, professor of Geophysics at the University of Leeds, pictured left, working with students at Fulneck School, Pudsey. Photo by Tony Johnson.
Jurgen Neuberg, professor of Geophysics at the University of Leeds, pictured left, working with students at Fulneck School, Pudsey. Photo by Tony Johnson.

The tunnels have been deserted for decades until now, and for A level students studying physics, they are providing the perfect location for a geophysical investigation.

The school has teamed up with professors, lecturers and post-graduates from Leeds University, using specialist equipment worth more than £200,000, including radars and gravimeters, as part of a special exploration day.

Dr Caroline Neuberg, head of science at Fulneck School, said: “We are delighted to welcome a team of geophysicists from the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds University, who came to demonstrate the use of modern geophysical tools as taught in A level physics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We invited other schools to come along and had a total of 40 students from Allerton High School, Greenhead College and Fulneck School.”

Dr Caroline Neuberg, of Fulneck School, Pudsey, in one of the tunnels under the school. The school at the Moravian settlement dating from 1753 have partnered up with Leeds University Geophysics department  to use modern techniques that may show long-forgotten escape tunnels. Photo by Tony Johnson.Dr Caroline Neuberg, of Fulneck School, Pudsey, in one of the tunnels under the school. The school at the Moravian settlement dating from 1753 have partnered up with Leeds University Geophysics department  to use modern techniques that may show long-forgotten escape tunnels. Photo by Tony Johnson.
Dr Caroline Neuberg, of Fulneck School, Pudsey, in one of the tunnels under the school. The school at the Moravian settlement dating from 1753 have partnered up with Leeds University Geophysics department to use modern techniques that may show long-forgotten escape tunnels. Photo by Tony Johnson.

She said that youngsters concerned with topical environmental issues were often not aware that geophysics provides the ideal toolbox to trace pollutants, monitor fracking induced seismicity, and to tackle other environmental problems.

Dr Neuberg added that the sixth formers really enjoyed the day: “Fulneck School has buried tunnels that provide the ideal targets to demonstrate geophysical techniques such as radar, seismics, magnetics and gravity.

“The A level Physics students had the opportunity to obtain first hand experience in these techniques and get an insight into the wider world of geophysics.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This day is just one of the activities the science department puts on throughout the year.

Pupils from Fulneck School Pudsey, use specialist equipment to look underground as part of a physics project.Pupils from Fulneck School Pudsey, use specialist equipment to look underground as part of a physics project.
Pupils from Fulneck School Pudsey, use specialist equipment to look underground as part of a physics project.

The 320 pupil independent day and boarding school uses half of the buildings on the site, and the remainder is used as housing by people from the neighbouring Moravian community and church.

FACTFILE

Britain's largest Moravian settlement, is based at Fulneck, near Pudsey.

Some 80 people live on the settlement, 90 per cent of them Moravians.

The settlement is a time capsule of Georgian village life, with cottages and public buildings running in parallel terraces, along with the 320 pupil independent day and boarding school.

Related topics: