well as this is my first post id like to start by saying hi to everyone and apologize for picture quality now lets get down to the report here is bit of background info
Sixteen air raid shelters (15 underground and 1 overground) were built in the late 1930's at the instigation of Courtaulds, as the threat of war became increasingly apparent. The factory was a major employer in the town, and the main production building stood on the present day Cooperative store and car park. The nearby houses in Factory Terrace and Vicarage meadow were also built by the Courtauld Family for staff and workers.
The shelters were semi submerged, and built at the top of the gardens in Factory Terrace, and could accommodate up to 50 people each. They had mains electricity and chemical toilets, some of which still survive. During working hours they would be used by the workforce who were allocated a shelter to use in the event of an air raid warning. At the time, the factory was producing silk for use in parachutes. Outside working hours the residents were allowed use of the shelters as required. During the early part of the war residents often spent many consecutive nights per week in the shelters which became a home from home.
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