Historic Shelter fully restored

The Victorian shelter in Prince Consort Gardens, Weston-super-Mare has been fully restored thanks to a joint venture involving several local organisations.

Work started last year on completely refurbishing the shelter which had deteriorated over the years and was in a poor state of repair.

The project involved 25 volunteers from Somerset Wood Recycling and included repairs to the roof, the replacement of windows and the front supports, and re-painting. The new front supports and window frames were produced in Somerset Wood Recycling's workshop in Weston.

The scheme was a joint venture between North Somerset Council, the Friends of Prince Consort Gardens and Somerset Wood Recycling, who obtained funding from a number of organisations for the work including North Somerset Council, Weston Town Council, Quartet Community Foundation, Weston College, Knightstone Housing and Alliance Homes.

"The financial pressures faced by the council make projects like this very difficult to deliver," said Cllr Peter Bryant, North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for parks and open spaces. "It has only been made possible by local people rallying together to help.

"This shelter is an important part of the heritage of Prince Consort Gardens and its restoration is a perfect example of what can be achieved through excellent partnership working."

The shelter was officially re-opened by Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, Chairman of North Somerset Council. He thanked all those who have been involved in the project and helped fund the work.

"Two years ago there was a serious chance of this shelter being removed altogether," he said. "Now, thanks to the combined efforts of all concerned, it is fully restored and back in community use."