1960s The Rain Shelter at David Livingstone Memorial

I think these photos were taken in the 1960s, but haven’t got an exact date. This is the end of the Rain Shelters at David Livingstone Memorial Centre. Located at the treeline, beyond the field, this small building offered a safe an dry haven for any visitors caught outside whilst the rain came on. Its position can be determined from the Shuttle row location in the background. Likely constructed around 1928 or 1929, the shelter lasted a few decades. Decision may have been to remove it, not only due to its condition, but perhaps because of reduced number of visitors and lack of requirement.

The shelter does look very flimsy made of wood and corrugated tin on the roof. In one of these photos it looks like perhaps a Winter storm may have caused some damage from nearby trees? If you know more, please let me know. I’d also love to date them more accurately.

Alison Walker Hill added on social media, “I believe it was blown down in the big storm 1968….I remember that night well, first and last time I remember having the storm shutters shut on our windows, and sheets of the corrugated iron landed in our garden, one was embedded in our pond! They did try to rebuild it at a later date with a thatched roof. They built the framework and I remember the rushes being delivered for the roofing! I think they had started the thatching when some thugs broke in and set fire to the stack of rushes. I’m guessing money was too tight to start the project again. Such a shame!“