New home for the Green Shelter

A historic shelter that has provided a rest space for town walkers since Victorian times could finally have a new home. The Green Shelter, also known as the threepenny bit shelter because of its shape, was removed from its site below Western Esplanade in February last year after it was damaged by vandals.

Since then it has been restored and revamped but officials and residents could not agree where it should go. But after discussion at a meeting of town councillors last week, its uncertain future looks to have finally been decided and it will be placed above Spa Esplanade, at the bottom of Bournemouth Drive.

The decision follows a report by Malcom Burgess, head of property and engineering services at the council. Mr Burgess told councillors that putting the shelter back near its original position would cost a further £11,000. This is on top of the £7,000 already spent on restoring the cast iron and timber shelter.

It was suggested that the £45,000 insurance money from the previously destroyed Red shelter could be used to build a second replica shelter that could be sited somewhere else. Peter Vickery-Jones, councillor for Herne and Broomfield said:

"It's important not to have this lost to the town forever."

The new location above the esplanade is thought to pose a reduced risk of vandalism and misuse.

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011