Air raid shelter ouutside Boots in Headingley?

Post by **chameleon** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 11:21 pm

cnosni wrote: Si wrote: Perhaps it's an emergency escape door, in case of a near or direct hit, the main entrance being the cellar-head inside the shop? If this entrance was blocked by fallen masonry, survivors could be pulled through the manhole where removal of debris might be easier? That's why it's marked prominently?Just a thought. That would seem to be the logical answer.Wheres digger when you need him.Hes probably been down it already knowing him!! More likely he still is and that's why he's being quiet cnosni

Post by **cnosni** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 12:31 am

chameleon wrote: cnosni wrote: Si wrote: Perhaps it's an emergency escape door, in case of a near or direct hit, the main entrance being the cellar-head inside the shop? If this entrance was blocked by fallen masonry, survivors could be pulled through the manhole where removal of debris might be easier? That's why it's marked prominently?Just a thought. That would seem to be the logical answer.Wheres digger when you need him.Hes probably been down it already knowing him!! More likely he still is and that's why he's being quiet cnosni Aha!!

Si · Post by Si » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 8:56 am

cnosni wrote: Si wrote: Perhaps it's an emergency escape door, in case of a near or direct hit, the main entrance being the cellar-head inside the shop? If this entrance was blocked by fallen masonry, survivors could be pulled through the manhole where removal of debris might be easier? That's why it's marked prominently?Just a thought. That would seem to be the logical answer.Wheres digger when you need him.Hes probably been down it already knowing him!! Speaking of Phill.........did anyone watch Gryff Rhys Jones's "World's Greatest Cities" last night? He went to Paris (no, not Leeds!) and met Phill's Parisien counterpart. They went on an underground urbex in a load of old tunnels, and ended up in Notre Dame. These guys save and record the city's hidden sights, just like Phill! They were charged with criminal damage for mending a famous public clock.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 3:56 pm

The cover in situ outside Boots, Otley Road, Headingley

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 3:59 pm

A closer shot to give an idea of scale

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 4:16 pm

And here it is in all it's glory. The side nearest to the road is obviously more exposed and has been considerably worn away. Above the wording 'AIR RAID SHELTER' is another line of text - but I can only make out the final three characters -'891'In the centre -'WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS LTD'At the side nearest the wall-'RELIANCE WORKS CHESTER'The plate has 'locks' on each corner which could be opened by a box-spanner 'key'. Around each of these are the words'TO LOCK' and an arrow pointing to the centre of the plate.The eight detritus-blocked openings in the centre were presumably air-vents.Nearest the wall (i.e opposite the hinge) is a hemispherical indentation also filled with detritus, but otherwise empty. Examination of this reveals that a bar was originally fitted across it laterally to form a recessed handle, but this has been broken off.

Si · Post by Si » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 4:25 pm

Thanks for the pictures, Drapesy. Saves me a trip to Headingley!It looks more like cast-iron than brass to me. Odd that the hinge is on the opposite side to the building?

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 4:31 pm

Si wrote: Thanks for the pictures, Drapesy. Saves me a trip to Headingley!It looks more like cast-iron than brass to me. Odd that the hinge is on the opposite side to the building? I agree - I think it is iron. A search on Google of the firm who made the plate doesn't reveal much although I did find an article that said they manufactured window-frames. Another article stated that they closed in the 1960s.

Post by **chameleon** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 7:25 pm

Si wrote: cnosni wrote: Si wrote: Perhaps it's an emergency escape door, in case of a near or direct hit, the main entrance being the cellar-head inside the shop? If this entrance was blocked by fallen masonry, survivors could be pulled through the manhole where removal of debris might be easier? That's why it's marked prominently?Just a thought. That would seem to be the logical answer.Wheres digger when you need him.Hes probably been down it already knowing him!! Speaking of Phill.........did anyone watch Gryff Rhys Jones's "World's Greatest Cities" last night? He went to Paris (no, not Leeds!) and met Phill's Parisien counterpart. They went on an underground urbex in a load of old tunnels, and ended up in Notre Dame. These guys save and record the city's hidden sights, just like Phill! They were charged with criminal damage for mending a famous public clock. Funny how often something reminds you of our own friend's exploits isn't it......At least with the French contingent, the Judge declared there was no crime to answer, and quite rightly.Whilst we may not see the kind of action we'd like, have you noticed how often places seem to become 'more secure' once LHES has shown the plight to all. Something gained at least in then keeping out the less desirables.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Thu 23 Oct, 2008 7:32 pm

This is a most fascinating topic - I wish I'd a pound for every time I must have walked over the cover and to be honest I've never even noticed it !! Thanks to all the researchers who are looking into it - no pun intended !!