Air raid shelter ouutside Boots in Headingley?

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 2:10 pm

Hello all,Lurked for a while and now have a question to ask.Does anybody know anything about the manhole cover in the pavement immediately outside Boots in Headingley? It's square, brass?, bolted down, a bit worn but you can clearly see 'Air Raid Shelter' cast into it, so it's purpose made. Is there an air-raid shelter or is the cover just being re-used?I first noticed it in the late 70's and have always wondered about it.

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Tue 21 Oct, 2008 10:51 pm

Hi Cardiarms, welcome to Secret Leeds! I had a look at this on the way home this evening. It looks very small for an entrance, considering people would have had to enter in a hurry, but I don't know what a typical air raid shelter entrance looked like. The manufacturer's name was inscribed on the cover but I didn't get a chance to note it down - I'll have a look when next passing. Well spotted!

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 8:34 am

Interesting, given the area was redeveloped totally after WWII. Wonder id it has some cold war connotations or anything?

Si · Post by Si » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 9:03 am

I haven't seen this manhole cover, but it's intriguing. You say it's brass, Cardiarms? An unusual (though not unheard of) material for a manhole cover. As you say, it's obviously purpose made with the cast-in lettering. What is it's approximate size? Tasa says it's "small" and it's in the middle of a pavement, so I doubt it's an air-raid shelter entrance. I was wondering if it was some sort of cover for the ancillaries of the shelter (ventilation, etc,) but why go to the bother and expense of casting a bespoke brass cover? So as not to be mistaken for gas/water/electricity? Seems odd - will have to go and have a decko. Maybe it is re-used?

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 9:11 am

From memory, I would say it's about 2ft by 18in (sorry, I don't do metric!!). it's very close to the shop front rather than in the middle of the pavement. If it wasn't a pharmacy (and presumably with restricted access to the back of the shop) I would ask for a look round their cellar!

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 1:28 pm

forget my comment, this wasnt the area that was redeveloped. I was thinking of Wilkos in the Arndale! 'Twas too early this morning!

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 1:30 pm

It's only big enough to allow one person at a time through it straight down. There's a big water main down the middle of Otley road so any chamber underneath must extend into Boots' cellars. It may be something to do with the use of the building before Boots moved in? It always been boots as long as I've known it.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 1:34 pm

http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... LAY=FULLIn the picture the cover is about where the woman in the white coat is outside the shop. The shopfront has been modernised since then and the ne frontage slightly covers the edge of the cover.

Si · Post by Si » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 1:45 pm

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.

Post by **cnosni** » Wed 22 Oct, 2008 9:00 pm

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!!