The historic air raid warden’s shelter in Wellow has been refurbished by Island Roads in time for VE day.
An Island roads district responder team has made sure the structure on the Main Road though Wellow was clear of vegetation before being prepped and given a fresh coat of paint.
Dave Wallis, Island Roads operation and maintenance manager said:
“It is certainly one of the more unusual features on the highway network and we were pleased to have it looking in top condition in time for VE Day.
“It is important that local historical features like this shelter are preserved and it is nice that we have received some positive feedback from the local community.”
During the Second World War, one of the jobs of ARP Wardens was to monitor and report bomb damage after a Luftwaffe raid. A network of these shelters was established throughout the country and they were connected by telephone or messenger to higher command.
Today as well as being used as a shelter from the elements, the hut is also used to display village notices and information.
Well done looks lovely just hope the vandals done mess it up
Totally agree with the refurbishment.
Let’s hope it wasn’t done from the covid budget.
Would be nice if the air raid shelter and the Nissan hut behind Captain Stans fish shop in Bembridge were persevered as rare to have both side by side, and once gone, lost forever.
County Council should have kept this and preserved it for future generations.
As it was being rented out, then it was not just a static memorial it was already paying its way, and a future historic monument too.
With the old rare vintage phone box just outside would have made a decent historic collection of functional and rare structures.
Still the money will be wisely spent for the good of Bembridge, but what price is history?